ANKARA: Somalia’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has taken a leading role in shaping global digital policy at the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-26), where the country advanced its push for satellite internet access and regulatory sandboxes for financial technology. The 26th edition of the GSR, held in Ankara from 12 to 15 May 2026 under the theme “Navigating Digital Frontiers,” brought together communications regulators and technology leaders from around the world to discuss the future of digital regulation, emerging technologies, and cross-border digital services.
Representing Somalia, NCA Director General Mustafa Yasin Sheikh participated in the exclusive Heads of Regulators’ Executive Roundtable, a high-level assembly of digital policy architects from across the globe. The discussions focused on closing the international digital divide and establishing baseline security standards for advanced communication networks, positioning Somalia as an active contributor to international telecommunication standards rather than a passive recipient of policy frameworks.
Sheikh also served as a panelist in a high-level executive session dedicated to experimental regulatory frameworks, specifically focusing on the deployment of regulatory sandboxes. Operating alongside ministerial and regulatory leadership from South Africa, Poland, and Saudi Arabia, as well as senior strategists from the World Economic Forum, the NCA Director General outlined the strict operational criteria necessary to implement these experimental environments safely. His presentation highlighted how flexible, data-driven regulation can accelerate technology adoption without compromising national security or consumer protections.
A core focus of Sheikh’s address centered on the immediate necessity for regional cooperation to govern cross-border digital services. He emphasized that emerging technologies, particularly low-Earth orbit satellite internet constellations and integrated digital financial services, operate beyond traditional geographic boundaries. The NCA chief outlined a strategic vision for harmonized regional protocols across the Horn of Africa to streamline cross-border fintech transactions and spectrum management, ensuring that regulatory bodies can collectively manage international satellite providers while protecting domestic markets.
Somalia’s participation in GSR-26 builds on the government’s recent efforts to expand digital infrastructure and foster technology partnerships. The NCA has already granted Starlink a license to operate in Somalia, paving the way for high-speed, low-latency internet services across the country, including remote and underserved areas. Additionally, the NCA and Turkey’s Information Technologies and Communications Authority (BTK) have established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance bilateral cooperation in electronic communications, covering satellite communications regulation, cybersecurity, spectrum management, and broadband infrastructure deployment.
At the GSR-25 in Riyadh, Sheikh held high-level talks with his Saudi Arabian counterpart to establish a framework for cooperation in regulating artificial intelligence (AI) and space technology. The partnership aims to support Somalia’s digital transformation while benefiting from Saudi Arabia’s advanced expertise in telecommunications, AI research, and space exploration. The two agencies agreed to pursue joint technical exchanges, staff training programs, and knowledge-sharing platforms to build regulatory capacity and encourage innovation.
Domestically, the government has accelerated its digital transformation agenda. In October 2025, Minister of Communications and Technology Mohamed Adam Moalim Ali convened a strategic meeting with telecom executives to expand digital infrastructure, improve regulatory frameworks, and promote innovation benefiting both urban and rural communities. The ministry has also launched a national multi-stakeholder consultation to validate the country’s Digital Transformation Strategy for 2025–2030, gathering representatives from key government institutions, regulatory bodies, and licensed telecom operators to refine a national roadmap for Somalia’s digital evolution.
The Ankara engagements come as Somalia increasingly explores partnerships in satellite communications and digital infrastructure, aligning with comprehensive economic modernization strategies advanced by the federal government. Authorities indicate that enhanced international cooperation and contemporary telecommunications policies are likely to stimulate investment, improve connectivity, and create new opportunities for Somali businesses and young technology entrepreneurs.
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