NCA Completes First Cybersecurity Training for Government Staff

MOGADISHU: The National Communications Authority (NCA) has successfully completed the first cohort of its Cybersecurity Certification Training Program for government employees, marking a significant step toward building Somalia’s cybersecurity workforce and protecting the nation’s digital infrastructure. Conducted from March 29 to May 10, 2026, the program brought together ICT professionals from 21 government agencies and provided them with the expertise needed to pursue globally recognized cybersecurity credentials. Training was delivered through a structured, merit-based system spanning Mogadishu, online platforms, and Nairobi, Kenya.

The initiative was launched by NCA Director General Mustafa Yasin Sheikh to equip federal government officials with internationally recognized cybersecurity certifications, focusing on enhancing their technical ability to protect sensitive national data and counter the rapidly escalating cyber threat landscape. At the program’s conclusion, Sheikh stated: “The successful completion of this first group is an important step toward developing a skilled cybersecurity workforce capable of protecting Somalia’s digital systems and Critical Information Infrastructure. The Authority is dedicated to building on this foundation with future groups, ensuring Somalia’s cybersecurity capabilities grow in line with our digital aspirations.”

The Director General also praised the participants for their commitment and urged them to apply the knowledge and skills gained to improve cybersecurity practices within their respective organizations. The program encompassed six internationally recognized cybersecurity certifications, with participants who successfully passed initial course examinations permitted to proceed to advanced certification levels.

To ensure high standards, the NCA required nominated staff to meet strict professional criteria, including holding at least a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a directly related field, having a minimum of two years of active professional experience, and currently serving in system or network administration roles.

The initiative receives vital financial and structural support from the World Bank Group through the SCALED‑UP project. The African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI) facilitated the curriculum. The capacity‑building push complements the recent establishment of the Somalia Computer Incident Response Team (SOMCIRT), the nation’s first dedicated National Cyber Security Center, which operates under the direct oversight of the NCA as the central coordination hub for identifying and responding to cybersecurity incidents nationwide.

Somalia has been developing a comprehensive Cybersecurity Risk Management and Compliance Framework through national consultation, bringing together government agencies, private sector representatives, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and technical experts. This follows significant security incidents, including a security flaw in Somalia’s e‑visa system that exposed sensitive personal information and a confirmed e‑visa data breach affecting over 35,000 individuals. The government has since implemented data protection legislation and established cybersecurity frameworks as part of its broader digital transformation strategy.

The NCA has also been expanding international partnerships to strengthen Somalia’s digital ecosystem, including signing two MOUs with Malaysian communications and cybersecurity authorities and forging a partnership with Saudi Arabia on AI and space regulation. The NCA will continue to expand cybersecurity capacity‑building efforts, address identified training needs, and strengthen partnerships with international collaborators to enhance national security and protect Somalia’s digital future.