Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia has taken a decisive step toward cementing its place in the digital era as the Ministry of Communications and Technology (MoCT), in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), on Sunday launched a two-day National Multi-Stakeholder Consultation Workshop in Mogadishu to validate the country’s Digital Transformation Strategy for 2025–2030.
The forum gathers representatives from key government institutions, regulatory bodies, and licensed telecom operators under one roof — a rare alignment of voices in a sector that increasingly underpins economic and social progress. Their mission is clear: to collectively refine a national roadmap that will guide Somalia’s digital evolution over the next five years.
Opening the event, Mustafa Almahdi, Program Officer at the ITU Arab Regional Office, affirmed the UN agency’s continued commitment to helping Somalia build a modern, interconnected society. He noted that digital progress is not achieved by technology alone but through shared vision and coordinated action.
Echoing that sentiment, National Communications Authority (NCA) Director General Mustafa Yasin Sheik described the strategy as a pivotal milestone in Somalia’s journey toward a fully-fledged digital ecosystem. He called on government institutions, private companies, and development partners to reinforce collaboration to ensure the strategy does more than sit on paper.
Minister of Communications and Technology, Mohamed Adan Moallim Ali Somali, delivered an impassioned appeal for unity of purpose. He said the new strategy would serve as the foundation for all national ICT initiatives — whether in education, health, finance, agriculture, or security. He pledged the government’s dedication to expanding digital infrastructure, harmonizing ICT policies, and building local expertise so that technology becomes a tool for both governance and opportunity.
The participants are expected to spend the next two days examining the strategy’s key pillars, including digital governance, infrastructure development, innovation ecosystems, and citizen empowerment. They will also debate implementation mechanisms, financing options, and regional coordination, particularly in relation to African Union and East African Community digital frameworks.
For a country long affected by conflict and fragmentation, the consultation signals growing confidence in the power of technology to drive inclusive growth. If the resulting strategy is backed with consistent political will and investment, Somalia could soon transition from a late adopter to a digital contender in the region.