Who Counts as Talent? Horn Afrique Poultry Farm's Journey to Inclusive Business Growth

Who Counts as Talent? Horn Afrique Poultry Farm’s Journey to Inclusive Business Growth

In Jijiga Town, located within the Somali Region of Eastern Ethiopia, a poultry company is pursuing a mission that goes far beyond production. Horn Afrique Poultry Farm (HAPF), led by CEO Mr. Farhan Abdulkadir, is committed not only to delivering high-quality products, but also creating jobs for youth, supporting community development, and advancing sustainable agricultural practices.

HAPF is among several of CFYE’s Implementing Partners demonstrating that business growth and social impact don’t have to be at odds, but in fact, can strengthen and support each other. Since partnering with CFYE, the company has expanded its poultry units and processing capacity, strengthening its credibility with financial institutions and attracting new partnerships. At the same time, HAPF has managed to create income opportunities for 1,031 youth across its value chain, of which 528 were women, thus achieving 103% of the jobs planned with CFYE.

This success, however, did not happen overnight. Like many growing businesses, HAPF’s journey has been full of challenges, adaptations, and important lessons learned along the way.

Scaling Operations and Rethinking Hiring Processes

Before partnering with CFYE, HAPF faced several barriers that limited both its growth as a business and its ability to create jobs. A key constraint was limited access to finance, which restricted expansion and the capacity to meet their increasing market demand.

Through CFYE’s co-funding approach, HAPF was able to scale up its operations and introduce a digital system that replaced previously manual administrative and financial processes. This shift improved transparency, enabled real-time reporting, strengthened decision-making, and enhanced overall operational efficiency.

At the same time, the company struggled to attract young talent. Despite a high number of job-seeking youth in the region, employers, including HAPF, often did not consider young people as viable candidates. As a result, the few available positions in the region became highly competitive and difficult to access.

Recognising Youth as Talent, Najib’s Story

Najib Umher Ahmed, a 27-year-old accounting graduate from Jijiga University knows this challenge well. After graduating, he spent a long period unemployed despite actively searching for work. As the main income provider for his sisters, he faced immense financial pressure and the uncertainty about their future was weighing him down.

“There were almost no job opportunities, and I even registered to be a soldier as a last option. The competition was very high.” Najib explains.

Through CFYE’s partnership, HAPF introduced targeted training and inclusive hiring practices that redefined how the company viewed youth as potential workforce. As a result, the company began actively recruiting young people for new roles, and in 2023, Najib came across one of these opportunities. He applied and was selected as the new Finance Officer of HAPF.

Since joining the team, Najib has continued to grow. With support from both soft and technical skills training, he has advanced within the organisation and now works as the Finance and Administration Coordinator – an achievement that reflects both his dedication and the opportunities created through inclusive employment practices.

Getting a Foot in the Door, Rahma’s Story

Najib’s experience navigating the difficult job market is not unique. Rahma Musse, a 26-year-old graduate from the same university, faced similar barriers. In a region where private sector opportunities are limited and entry-level roles are scarce, Rahma spent several months searching for work without success.

Reflecting on this experience, she highlights a structural challenge many young graduates face:

“Positions such as Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer in many organisations often require several years of experience, which creates barriers for young graduates. Through CFYE’s youth-focused approach, I got the opportunity to land on such profession with no prior experience”.

Through CFYE’s Technical Assistance to HAPF – an additional layer of support complementing financial investments and aimed at strengthening business capacity to upskill and build internal capabilities – Rahma participated in structured, on-the-job training that combined both technical and soft skills development.

She gained experience in project management fundamentals, data management and analysis, communication, teamwork, and digital systems. These experiences enabled her to build strong Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) competencies, including data collection, analysis, reporting, and programme support. Her strong performance during the programme did not go unnoticed and eventually led to her promotion at HAPF.

“Before joining, I had no experience. Now I understand business, and I feel I can even start my own business. My confidence has increased.” Rahma reflects.

How Investing in Youth Turns into a Strategy for Growth

Najib’s and Rahma’s journeys reflect a broader lesson: when businesses invest in young people, they invest in their own success and future. By providing entry-level opportunities, paired with structured, on-the-job training and hands-on support, HAPF created value for both employees and employers. It has opened pathways to sustainable employment for young people and built a capable and future-ready workforce. Linking skills development directly to real job opportunities ensures that training translates into tangible outcomes. It creates a pathway from learning to earning, one that strengthens both individual livelihoods and business performance.

As CEO Mr. Farhan Abdulkadir explains, the partnership with CFYE has fundamentally reshaped the organisation by embedding systems, shifting mindsets, and strengthening internal capacity. These changes position the company to keep advancing youth employment in the region while ensuring operational efficiency and supporting sustained long-term business growth – even after the partnership with CFYE.

Today, HAPF stands not only as a growing poultry business, but as an example of what is possible when inclusion is treated as a business strategy rather than an afterthought. The built foundation positions the company to continue expanding its operations as well as impact – creating jobs, improving livelihoods, and driving sustainable growth in the Somali region of Eastern Ethiopia.

The approaches highlighted in this case reflect broader patterns seen across CFYE’s portfolio while working with diverse partners to drive inclusive job creation and sustainable business growth. If you are interested in learning more about CFYE’s partnership model and the lessons we have learned along the way, explore our Learning Briefs by topic below!

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