Hire freelancers in Somalia or sell your skills on FIVESOM
Mogadishu, Hargeisa's near neighbours in the south, Kismayo and Baidoa all have young designers, developers, writers and editors who previously had few reliable ways to sell their skills for real income. FIVESOM is a Somali freelancer marketplace built around how people in Somalia actually get paid, so a graphic designer in Mogadishu can take an order from a shopkeeper down the road or a client abroad, and cash out to mobile money the same week.
Built around Somali mobile money
Instead of forcing freelancers to wait for slow international transfers, FIVESOM lets Somali sellers withdraw earnings to EVC Plus, Zaad, eDahab or a Premier Wallet account. Once a balance reaches the $20 minimum, a withdrawal can be requested straight to the wallet a freelancer already uses every day.
Showcasing your skills
- Build a profile with a clear bio, portfolio images and language skills
- List up to 2 gigs — for example a logo design gig and a video editing gig
- Set Basic, Standard and Premium packages with your own prices and delivery times
- Verify your identity to earn a badge that reassures new buyers
How local and diaspora clients hire
Somali businesses, NGOs and individual buyers search FIVESOM by category, then message a freelancer directly with their exact requirements before ordering. Somali diaspora clients abroad often hire local designers, writers and video editors to save cost while keeping the money in Somalia's freelance economy.
Requirements and order flow
When a buyer places an order, they answer a short requirements form so the freelancer starts with everything needed — brand colours for a logo, footage links for a video edit, or a brief for an article. The freelancer delivers inside the app, and the order stays open until the buyer accepts it.
Escrow protects both sides
A buyer's payment is held safely until they accept the delivered work, so freelancers can't be shortchanged after finishing a job, and buyers never pay for something that was never delivered. Disputes can be raised if the delivery does not match what was agreed.
In-demand services in Somalia
- Logo design and branding for small businesses and startups
- Social media graphics and flyer design
- Video editing for weddings, dhaanto and events, and social content
- Somali–English translation, content writing and book writing
- Website design for shops, NGOs and local organisations
Getting started
Sign up, choose whether you want to hire or sell, complete your profile and set up your payout method (EVC Plus, Zaad, eDahab or Premier Wallet). Freelancers keep 85% of every completed order, with FIVESOM taking a 15% commission to run and improve the platform.
Frequently asked questions
How do Somali freelancers get paid on FIVESOM?
Earnings can be withdrawn to EVC Plus, Zaad, eDahab or Premier Wallet once your balance reaches the $20 minimum withdrawal.
Is FIVESOM only for people living in Somalia?
No. Somali freelancers anywhere can list gigs, and clients from Somalia or abroad can hire them. FIVESOM is a Somali freelancer marketplace open to diaspora buyers and sellers too.
What languages can I offer services in?
Most freelancers work in Somali, English and Arabic, and gig descriptions can be written in whichever language your target clients use.
How much does FIVESOM charge?
FIVESOM charges a 15% commission on completed orders. You keep 85% of what a client pays.