Mogadishu, Somalia — Ibrahim Ali Shiddo, CEO of Banadiria Coffee Roasters, is gaining recognition as a driving force behind the revival of Somalia’s coffee industry, transforming a once-disrupted family trade into a market-leading enterprise with growing international reach.
Born into a family of coffee traders, Shiddo’s early exposure to the business shaped his long-term vision for the sector. The family’s operations, originally established in the 1970s, were forced to shut down following the outbreak of civil war in the 1990s, prompting their relocation abroad. During this period, Shiddo identified a rising demand for Somali coffee among diaspora communities, leading to the expansion of exports to North America, Europe, and Australia.
In 2012, amid signs of economic recovery in Somalia, Shiddo re-established Banadiria Coffee Roasters in Mogadishu. Since then, the company has emerged as a dominant player in the domestic market, supplying an estimated 70% of coffee shops nationwide and up to 95% in the العاصمة.
Industry observers credit Banadiria not only with strengthening supply chains but also with reshaping the country’s coffee culture. Through its training arm, launched in 2019, the company has trained more than 300 baristas and coffee professionals, contributing to workforce development in a growing sector.
Shiddo has outlined ambitions to expand Banadiria Coffee Roasters beyond Somalia, positioning it as a leading brand across East Africa while elevating Somali coffee’s profile in global markets.
His contributions to business and industry have earned formal recognition, including being recognized as Leader of the Year 2025 by the Somali Leadership Group.
As Somalia continues its economic rebuilding, figures like Shiddo are increasingly seen as central to the country’s emerging private sector growth and international trade potential.
