Meet the founder: Mohamed Jimale from Ari.farm, Somalia

We are happy to introduce you today to Mohamed Jimale, the founder of Ari.Farm, an agri / financial tech startup from Mogadishu, Somalia.

1. First of all, can you introduce yourself to our readers, who you are, where you come from and what’s your background.

My name is Mohamed Jimale, I am the founder of Ari.Farm. I am from Somalia but based in Sweden. I grew up as a nomad in Somalia where my family have been livestock herders for many generations. But my recent background is in technology, UN and immigration.

2. What is your startup and where is it located?

Ari.Farm is an online platform that enables people from all over the world to become digital livestock farmers/traders and make a social impact in East Africa. We are based in Kenya and Somalia. We have active operations in Somalia at the moment.

3. What is the problem you are addressing and what is your solution?

We are addressing several problems including droughts, unemployment and food security. When I launched Ari.farm my initial goal was to create jobs for nomads in Somalia who were displaced by droughts. We built an online platform that enables people from all over the world to become digital farmers and support farmers in Somalia by enabling to buy, own and sell livestock via an app. We create jobs and market for nomads in Somalia.

4. What is your target market? And the market size?

Our current market is the livestock industry in Somalia which has an estimated number of 40 million animals with an export of 5 million animals each year generating around $400 million. However, we are also soon expanding to food which will expand our market dramatically.

5. How has the traction been so far on the customer side?

It has been amazing. Since launching 1,5 years ago we have been able to acquire customers from 35 countries, won awards and have been featured in media from around the world, all the while we tried to keep a low profile.

6. From the investment perspective, where are you at now?

The company is totally bootstrapped. We have not raised money yet but we are in discussion with potential investors who are interested.

7. What is your view about the startup scene in your countries and more regionally in Africa?

The startup ecosystem in Somalia is small but growing. It is not comparable to Kenya or Nigeria but the potential is there. I think Africa is the place to be for anyone who is looking for the next big opportunity. The potential of our continent is immense. Although we are still dealing with basic problems that Europe has dealt with long time ago but we have got plenty of smart people who will shape the future of many industries, specially tech.

8. Can you share with us other startups in your country, that you find interesting, either from a product perspective, vision one or their founders?

1. iRise – The first innovative space in Somalia. They have got amazing team and great vision for the startup scene in Somalia.
2. Gulivery – First food delivery service in Somalia.

Thanks again for your me and let’s catchup in a few months to follow up on your milestones and development!