The SMILE (Strengthening Mobility, Internationalization, and Learning in Education) Project aims to enhance the internationalization capacity of Somali higher education institutions (HEIs) by fostering academic mobility, institutional cooperation, and digital education. Somalia’s HE sector remains largely isolated from global academic networks, with minimal international partnerships and limited mobility opportunities due to financial constraints, visa challenges, and fears of brain drain. SMILE directly addresses these challenges by building the institutional capacity of Somali universities, equipping them with the skills, strategies, and infrastructure needed to engage effectively in international cooperation. The project is structured around four key objectives: (1) Enhancing the capacity of Somali HEIs for internationalization through targeted training and infrastructure support; (2) Establishing and expanding academic and non-academic partnerships by facilitating agreements with European universities and private sector actors; (3) Developing strategies for mobility and inclusion, particularly virtual mobility for students and staff; and (4) Increasing participation in Erasmus+ and other global academic programs to ensure sustained engagement in international networks. The project activities include capacity-building workshops, hands-on training in European partner institutions, the development of strategic internationalization frameworks, and the launch of virtual mobility programs. By the project’s conclusion, Somali HEIs will have signed new international agreements, developed comprehensive internationalization strategies, and submitted Erasmus+ mobility applications. Led by Horseed International University (HIU, Somalia), in collaboration with European and Somali partners, SMILE ensures a sustainable, long-term impact, empowering Somali universities to participate actively in global academic cooperation, ultimately strengthening Somalia’s HE landscape.