Jirdeh Hussein broke the noncitizen monopoly on Mogadishu import trade.

Evidence

The import-export trade in Mogadishu was dominated by Arabs and Indians when Jirdeh Hussein moved to the new capital city. He told US embassy representatives that noncitizen merchants had a near monopoly on this trade and apparently did not like a new Somali businessman from the North intruding into their turf. Jirdeh imported sugar and rice and sold them to local merchants at a price slightly cheaper than what Arab and Indian importers charged. The latter reduced their prices below his and inundated the market, trying to drive him out of the market. Little did they know that he had sufficiently deep pockets as well as business acumen to outwit them. Once Jirdeh realized what his competitors were doing, he sent for more rice and sugar and continued to charge lower prices. The new shipments made it difficult for the Indians and Arabs to absorb their losses. Jirdeh made his mark and ultimately became the most respected businessman in Mogadishu and the country. — Abdi Ismail Samatar, Africa’s First Democrats, 1376

Categorization

• CANDY: A brisk underdog business story: a Somali merchant outspends and outlasts entrenched rivals to dominate the Mogadishu market.