The philosophy of local ownership is not accidental. As Abraham Leno, Alight’s Director of Government Relations, reflects after his recent visit to Somaliland:
“Alight Somalia is thriving – not by accident, but because of the spirit of the people behind it. From women’s groups running small businesses, to the nurses and social workers, to my colleagues and government officials I met – everyone echoed a single conviction: We want to be the nation that builds itself. This vision does not reject foreign support; it simply insists that support must stand firmly on the foundation of Somali dignity, pride, and initiative”.
Digaale was established in 2013 to host just over 800 households. Today, it operates over capacity and shelters more than 1,300 families who have fled conflict, droughts, and economic collapse. Like many settlements across the Somali Peninsula, it was never meant to be permanent. Temporary shelters of corrugated iron and plastic have unintentionally become long-term homes, offering little privacy, safety, or protection from extreme heat and water scarcity.
In this challenging setting we saw an opportunity to do something different – rather than just providing a temporary shelter, we wanted to help build a foundation for stable, dignified community life.
Not willing to impose solutions, Alight began by listening. Through community co-design sessions, focus groups, and conversations – especially with women and youth – residents of Digaale shaped every aspect of the housing vision. Homes were redesigned based on feedback about family size, cultural norms, safety, and daily routines. Women’s groups emphasized the importance of access to water, privacy, and safe spaces for children to play.
The desire of the community to become more independent is visible throughout the Digaale Development Project. A community cooperative has been established to manage the new water system, ensuring sustainability beyond initial construction. Homes integrate solar power, rainwater harvesting, improved ventilation, and space for small-scale farming – practical and sustainable adaptations designed for long-term living in a harsh environment.
The first eight climate-smart pilot homes are already standing in Digaale. For families who have lived for years in overcrowded, single-room shelters, the change is profound. Children now have space to play safely. Families can gather, cook, and rest with privacy and dignity.
One woman shared her excitement upon seeing the designs: “We heard yesterday from the other women that we can finally have space for the kids. We couldn’t sleep – we were so excited to come today.”
These homes are not just structures; they are symbols of stability and belonging.
Alight’s work in Digaale is reinforced by strong local leadership. The Mayor of Hargeisa has committed significant public funding to connect Digaale to the city through road infrastructure, signalling that displaced communities are not temporary afterthoughts, but part of the city’s future.
Alight’s entire program team is Somali. They are not building for strangers – they are building for their own communities, families, and future. As Abraham Leno shares, “When they work well, they are building for themselves, their families, and their nation. This is what it means to be truly local. I am optimistic – Somalia will rise again!”.
The Digaale Development Project is part of a broader, integrated effort that includes planning for the settlement’s future education, protection services, and livelihood programs – particularly for women-led businesses.
In a place where the land is harsh and the challenges immense, hope is being rebuilt – brick by brick, conversation by conversation.
As Digaale grows into something more permanent and more just, it offers a powerful reminder: when communities are trusted to shape their own future, development becomes not just sustainable – but extraordinary.
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