When you walk through the vibrant streets of Hargeisa, Mogadishu and Jigjiga, the colors that adorn the cityscapes — billboards, banners, and bright corporate logos all have something in common: they likely came from Sagaljet Printing, Somaliland’s largest and most innovative digital printing company.
Founded in 2007 with just two employees, one computer, and a single small printer, Sagaljet has grown into a regional powerhouse with over 300 staff and 13 branches — ten commercial outlets and three production centers across Somaliland, Somalia, and Ethiopia. Behind this remarkable transformation stands a powerful partnership with Shuraako Capital, whose financing enabled the company to modernize operations, expand production, and create jobs for hundreds of young professionals.
The Challenge: Outdated Equipment and Limited Access to Finance
In its early years, Sagaljet’s ambitions were limited by outdated technology and lack of access to business finance.
Mohamed Rooble, Sagaljet’s PR and HR Director describes trying to get a loan as nearly impossible and notes that entrepreneurs had to rely on personal savings or informal lenders, and local banks charged high Murabaha rates with short repayment periods.
This made it difficult for Sagaljet to scale its services or compete with international printers. As a result, many institutions and businesses were forced to send their printing work abroad to Dubai, waiting up to three weeks for deliveries, which was a costly and inefficient process that drained resources from the local economy.
The Breakthrough: Financing from Shuraako
Sagaljet’s turning point came with a $743,464.50 Murabaha-based investment from Shuraako Capital, under its Nordic Horn of Africa Opportunities Fund (NHAOF).
The loan — structured with a five-year repayment plan and a six-month grace period — allowed Sagaljet to import modern, high-capacity printing machines from China.
“What made Shuraako different,” explains Mohamed, “was their understanding of SME growth. They offered fair Murabaha rates, flexible repayment terms, and most importantly, time to install and start operations before repayment began. That’s real partnership.”
The Impact: Growth, Jobs, and a Stronger Local Economy
Job Creation and Economic Growth
Sagaljet’s expansion has been transformative for employment. With the new financing, the company increased its workforce across its branches and production sites.
According to Fadumo Farah, an Accounting Officer, “Sagaljet has given livelihoods to hundreds of young people. It’s not just a company — it’s a source of hope for many families.”
The ripple effects go beyond employment. By bringing printing production back home, Sagaljet has kept millions of dollars circulating within the Somaliland economy, strengthening local supply chains and boosting demand for related services like design, logistics, and marketing.
Sales Performance
With modern machinery and faster turnaround times, Sagaljet’s sales have surged by 310% since the Shuraako investment.
The company can now deliver projects that once took weeks in just two days, winning new contracts from corporate clients, international organizations, and government institutions. “Our production output has grown by about 10%, but our customer base and order volumes have expanded much faster,” says Mohamed. “That’s where the real impact is.”
Business Development and Expansion
According to Jackson Magare, Senior Graphic Designer at Sagaljet, “The company’s growth has been phenomenal. I’ve seen us evolve from a small local shop into a regional brand. Now, we even run internal training programs to build the next generation of designers — a true skills transfer initiative.”
The financing didn’t just improve output — it unlocked new business frontiers.
Sagaljet has diversified beyond printing into event management, embroidery, and 3D signage, becoming a one-stop branding hub. It also expanded its footprint to Mogadishu and Jigjiga, Ethiopia, tapping into new regional markets.
