[3][4] Haji Abdi Awad Ali was born in 1943 in Ainabo, then British Somaliland, to a family of pastoral nomads consisting of two girls and three boys.

Haji Abdi belonged to the Rer Yunis sub-division of the Habr Je'lo clan, part of the wider Isaaq clan-family.

[1] In Burao Haji Abdi started his business career at the lowest level, selling small items such as matches, scissors, needles and cigarettes, however as his profits increased he founded Indhadeero Group of Companies in 1960, and later began importing goods from Hargeisa and Berbera in 1962 to sell in Burao, connecting with many members of the business community on the way.

[8][9] By 1983 Haji Abdi's company expanded, exporting livestock and importing foodstuff, clothes, building materials, auto spare parts, among other essential goods.

[10][1] As the Somaliland War of Independence was in its infancy the Siad Barre regime started harassing the local Isaaq population of the north.