NASEF’s global network bolsters Electronic Somali Sports Federation (ESSF) to leverage esports and gaming interest for meaningful learning around career and life skills of 

(Mogadishu, Banadir/Somalia, 1st May, 2025) – Esports are booming, and students in Somalia are excited to not just play the games, but to pursue related careers. To support this thirst for competition and education, ESSF has just become an affiliate of NASEF. A global NGO, NASEF provides a framework and support for educators around the world as they build programs that connect students’ love of video games and esports to exploration of career pathways, simultaneously developing important personal “soft skills” that will help youth thrive in today’s workforce.

The Electronic Somali Sports Federation (ESSF) was established in August 2021 to lead the development of organized esports in Somalia. Recognizing the global rise of competitive gaming, ESSF built a platform where Somali players, teams, and communities can compete, grow, and gain international exposure. As a non-profit organization, ESSF is driven by volunteers committed to advancing esports, educating young talent, and equipping them with professional skills. To strengthen this mission, ESSF works with national and international academies, including NASEF, to provide training, resources, and global opportunities.

"Our mission is to elevate esports in Somalia by fostering grassroots development, empowering youth with professional skills, educating future talent, and creating opportunities for growth and collaboration," says Said Abdullahi, president of ESSF. 

The ESSF’s vision is to create and foster competitive esports programs through the lens of academics and learning in Somalia middle schools and high schools by providing assistance, organizing tournaments, and presenting information to schools and advisers.

NASEF is supporting similar organizations worldwide and freely shares its unique experience in developing global educational and career pathways. NASEF leverages massive student interest in team-based competitive video gaming, offering meaningful career and STEAM education alongside tournaments in top game titles. Students learn about possible career pathways, enter Beyond the Game creative and analytic challenges, manage clubs and events and fundraising, and compete in tournaments in popular titles including but not limited to Rocket League, Valorant, and Minecraft, to name a few. 

As a non-profit, NASEF focuses on youth impact, emphasizing cultivating talent in all students, particularly those in underserved populations. Through its partnerships, NASEF also helps students uncover pathways to college scholarships and careers in the gaming industry around the world. 

“Research demonstrates the effectiveness of esports as a tool for meaningful STEAM and social-emotional learning,” said Gerald Solomon, founder and executive director of NASEF. “We’re thrilled to  welcome ESSF to the NASEF family, where educators will be able to learn best practices from scholastic esports programs around the world. We’re excited to support the ESSF and see the growth across Somalia in the coming years.”

Learn more at the NASEF website or the ESSF website. Schools across Somalia are invited to join ESSF and NASEF and tap into their events and resources; contact [email protected].

About NASEF

NASEF equips education, community and industry leaders to maximize the potential of scholastic esports. As a non-profit, NASEF supports leaders and youth to develop career and professional skills through a unique blend of play and learning. Using its research-backed approach, NASEF guides organizations around the world striving to make impacts through scholastic esports.

NASEF operates under the umbrella of the World Wide Scholastic Esports Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The International Esports Federation has entrusted NASEF with training and supporting its 130+ member federations as they undertake development of scholastic esports programs. Find NASEF at NASEF.org and on X/Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Media Contacts:

Claire LaBeaux, [email protected] 

 Abdilahi Abdirashid, [email protected]