NAIROBI, Kenya – The eighth edition of the 100 Most Influential Somali People has kicked off the 2026 nominations.
The nominations, which opened on Thursday, October 1, will feature the 100 Most Influential Somali People 2026 and Person of the Year 2026.
Speaking during the launch in Eastleigh, Nairobi, Somali Magazine CEO Ridwan Yusuf Mohamud said the nominations will run until November 20, 2026, and target individuals, institutions, businesses, and professional associations that have shown outstanding leadership, achievements, and contributions across Somalia, Kenya, East Africa and the globe.
“The main purpose of this nomination is to recognise leadership, celebrate achievements, and document the impact of the Somali community around the world.
“The recognition aims to generate significant economic value for the Somali community around the globe and to encourage those who are in business to name them as they deserve, so that other people can do what the Somali business community around the globe are doing and even the Somalis themselves can now get recognised for adding value to the community,” said Mohamud in an interview with News9.africa.
Nomination categories
Mohamud highlighted eight nomination categories, including the most influential Somalis (politicians and leaders), business, sports, Islamic scholars, activists and journalists and social influencers and entertainment, including artists, singers, and their projects.
He invited the Somali community in Kenya, as well as in other Eastern countries and around the globe to visit the Somali Magazine nomination portal and nominate their hero and heroines.
“Last year, we had around 1.7 million people from Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and around the world nominated through the Somali Magazine for different categories.”
Impact on Kenya’s economy
The CEO invited the Somali community in Kenya to participate in the nomination as a boost to their business growth, noting that Kenya is a hub for entrepreneurs in East Africa.
“Kenya is a hub for all East Africans, and even for all other African countries. So they always say if you made it in Kenya, you made it in any other African country. Kenya is a hub for the Somali community, and we are very proud of that. And you must have realised the contribution of Somalia to Kenya’s GDP. You look at Eastleigh alone, where we are, its contribution to Nairobi’s GDP is… It is huge, mainly driven by the Somali community,” he explained.
According to reports, Eastley contributes about 10% to 15% of Nairobi’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
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