In the dusty outskirts of Burao, where the scent of frankincense and myrrh has drifted through trading routes for centuries, a quiet transformation is unfolding. It began in 2002 with three brothers who looked at a declining sector and saw not the end of an era, but the beginning of a new one. This vision gave life to Allamangan Gums & Resins (AGRPC), a company built on the belief that Somaliland's natural resources could once again generate prosperity, jobs, and dignity.
But the journey wasn't simple.
When Allamangan first entered the gums and resins market, the sector was nearly forgotten and exporters were rare. Producers had little knowledge of the value of the items they collected. "We had to give people money in advance just to convince them to bring gums," says Musafe Mohamoud Omar, the Finance Manager and Acting HR Manager. "People did not understand the value of what they had."
Yet Allamangan persisted. They trained communities, built trust, and slowly revived a sector tied to the cultural and economic heritage of the Somali people.
A Workforce Powered by Women
Inside Allamangan's processing facility, the sound is unmistakable. A steady rhythm of metal trays sliding, hands quickly sorting, separating, and grading resins into fine categories fills the rooms. It's precise work, demanding patience and sharp attention to detail. And it is work done almost entirely by women — 80 women, to be exact.
"Women are very good at this," Musafe explains. "This work requires patience and skill. They understand it deeply."
For women like Hamda Yusuf, who has worked with Allamangan for eight years, the job is provides them with income, but maybe more importantly, stability. "When I arrive, I change into my work clothes, sit at my table, and begin sorting," she says. "The salary supports my home, my children, everything."
Yurub Hassan Elmi echoes the same: "This job changed our lives. We pay for school, food, and all our needs. It has made a big difference."
Allamangan's commitment to women didn't just empower households — it reshaped the company's own growth. Women brought consistency, care, and excellence that elevated the quality of Somaliland's exported resins.
A Partnership That Changed Everything
The turning point for Allamangan came when they partnered with the Nordic Horn of Africa Opportunities Fund (NHAOF) through Shuraako. Over the years, the company received three major investments, each unlocking a new phase of growth.
Investment 1: Strengthening the Supply Chain
As sourcing areas moved deeper into Ethiopia, the company needed a dependable long-distance truck to keep supply flowing.
The first investment delivered a cross-border truck, eliminating delays, stabilizing operations, and bringing consistency to production.
Investment 2: Expansion of Storage, Transport, and Facilities
As resin volumes increased, Allamangan needed a lot more space.
The second investment funded a new warehouse, two trucks (one large, one small), and construction of a proper facility with restrooms.
This expansion aligned the company with the requirements of major buyers and enhanced logistics reliability.
Investment 3: A Full Production Upgrade
The most recent investment targets raw material procurement, machinery upgrades, storage systems, processing technology, and logistical capacity.
It is a comprehensive transformation that places Allamangan among the strongest players in Somaliland's resins industry.
A Revitalized Sector with More Than Double the Workforce
Before the investments, Allamangan's workforce was modest. Today, thanks to Shuraako's financing, the total workforce has more than doubled. They hired 30 permanent employees and 17 temporary workers, in addition to the 80 women sorting specialists.
There are real people behind this data. This growth reflects new livelihoods, new training, and new confidence among local communities. The company's success has radiated outward, strengthening households that depend on the resins value chain.
A Surge in Production and Sales
With improved logistics, higher storage capacity, and enhanced processing systems, Allamangan has seen a major increase in sales volumes and revenue. While the exact percentage was not given, Musafe confirms the change is "remarkable and directly tied to Shuraako's support."
Higher-quality processing also attracted new buyers, particularly exporters serving Europe, the United States, and the Middle East. It's boosting Allamangan's reputation as a trusted partner in the global resins market.
Producing Some of the Finest Grades in Somaliland
Resins now arrive from remote Ethiopian forests in raw form, and at Allamangan's facility they are expertly sorted, graded (from 1 to 5), cleaned, processed, and packed in 25kg bags ready to be exported worldwide.
Every step follows strict quality standards.
"Quality must be preserved from the moment the gum leaves the tree," insists Musafe. "Transportation, storage, processing — you must respect every stage."
This discipline is what allows Allamangan to consistently produce some of the finest grades of gums and resins in the region.
Looking to the Future
The company is well on its way to becoming a leading exporter of Somali resins and to opening doors to new global markets. The third investment will play a crucial role in positioning Allamangan for this.
While trucks, warehouses, and processing lines drive the company's growth, its heartbeat remains the women sorting resins by hand, whose work sustains families and uplifts communities.
