Founding Partner and Senior Partner
Abdiwahid Osman Haji
Abdiwahid Osman Haji
LL.M, LL.B
Abdiwahid Osman Haji founded Mogadishu Law Office and has practised law in Somalia without interruption since 1983, through civil conflict, state collapse and reconstruction. He previously served as an Associate Professor of Law at Somali National University.
He founded the Benadir Trial Lawyers Association and the Association of Corporate Lawyers in Somalia, and co-founded the Somali Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Within the firm he leads the regulatory, legislative-drafting and institutional-advisory practice, and is named on many of the firm’s most significant mandates for international corporations, financial institutions, development bodies, governments and foreign law firms.
Regulatory and legislative drafting
Leads the firm’s advisory on the National Communications Act 2017, the Companies Act 2019 subsidiary regulations and petroleum-sector instruments.
International mandates
Named on the firm’s work for global technology, energy and infrastructure clients and the international firms that instruct MLO as Somali counsel.
Institutional advisory
Advises federal ministries and development institutions on the frameworks through which Somalia’s economy is governed and financed.
Dispute resolution
Acts in the firm’s most significant contentious mandates, including international arbitration turning on Somali constitutional and administrative law.
Abdiwahid in view
Moments from Abdiwahid’s work in law, in Somalia and abroad.
Reading from the firm
Federal Mining Controls Tighten Business Rules
Somalia federal mining controls tighten with aggressive enforcement against unlicensed operations. Legal analysis for investors on new business compliance requirements.
Somalia Commercial Laws Receive Presidential Approval
Somalia business laws receive presidential approval including new Investment Law creating SOMINVEST agency and Payment System Law. Key changes for investors and businesses.
EAC Membership Eases Export Rules
Somalia EAC membership transforms export-import regulations, creating new trade opportunities and compliance requirements for businesses in East African markets.