Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) — Likenew Smart Laundry has officially launched what it describes as Somalia’s first 24/7 Smart Locker service, allowing customers to drop off and collect their laundry at any hour of the day without visiting a staffed branch. The launch ceremony took place on 25 June 2026 in Mogadishu, attended by government officials, business representatives, and invited guests.
The move represents the most significant product development since the company first opened its doors in June 2023 — a period during which it steadily built a reputation as the most technology-forward laundry operator in the country.
What the Service Does
The Smart Lockers are digital cabinets linked directly to the Likenew mobile application, available on both the App Store and Google Play. Customers use the app to deposit their laundry into a locker, track their order in real time, and receive a secure PIN via WhatsApp when their items are ready for collection. The system operates around the clock, seven days a week. The company says this directly addresses a persistent gap — professional laundry services that working residents in Mogadishu could not access outside of standard branch hours.
Likenew has launched Lockers at two Mogadishu locations: Waaberi District on Waaberi Road, opposite 21 October School, and KM5 in Hodan District, across from Hotel Jowhara. This milestone advances accessible storage solutions in the city.
The company says expansion to additional districts is planned in the next phase of the rollout, with the goal of placing Lockers within reach of every neighbourhood in the city.
The Director General of the Data Protection Authority, Mr. Mohamed Nur Olow, addressed the launch event and offered his institution’s endorsement. He stated that the Lockers system and its app were built in full compliance with international data privacy standards, and that his authority had contributed regulatory guidance to ensure user data is protected.
Ahmed Bashir Osman, General Manager of Likenew, described the launch as part of a deliberate long-term strategy rather than a standalone product release. “Our goal is not only to wash clothes,” he said. “We want to introduce Somalia to a new concept — A New Concept for Laundry — one that matches the modern lifestyle of our people.”
He added: “Likenew Smart Lockers remove the barriers of time and distance. We are bringing our service directly to our customers’ doorsteps, wherever they are in Mogadishu.”
The company states that each locker is fitted with a tamper-proof digital lock accessible only through the Likenew app or by specifically assigned staff during the processing stage. Full order tracking is available to customers through the app at every step.
Likenew launched in June 2023 as one of Mogadishu’s first professionally operated laundry businesses, combining eco-friendly equipment with digital booking and delivery services. In December 2024, Caasimada Online covered co-founder Ahmed Bashir’s plan to expand innovative laundry services across Somalia and drive change in the private sector. The Smart Locker launch is the clearest realisation of that ambition to date.
The service is the first of its kind to be deployed in Somalia, according to the company.