Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia took a significant step toward shaping the future of digital governance and emerging technologies at the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-25), where the country’s National Communications Authority (NCA) engaged in high-level talks with Saudi Arabia.
Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, Director General of Somalia’s NCA, held a bilateral meeting with Haitham Al-Ohaly, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission. The session centered on strengthening regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence and space technology—two rapidly evolving fields with profound implications for economic growth, innovation, and security across the region.
Both officials underscored the importance of regional cooperation, agreeing that shared expertise and coordinated oversight are essential to address the challenges posed by AI and space exploration. The discussion highlighted opportunities to exchange best practices on responsible innovation, ethical use of technology, and strategies to safeguard national and regional security while fostering economic opportunity.
Somalia’s engagement in such dialogues marks an important step in positioning the country within the global conversation on digital transformation and technological governance. For Saudi Arabia, the meeting builds on its broader vision of becoming a regional leader in space and AI development, while also promoting collaborative frameworks that support responsible growth across the Arab and African regions.
The outcomes of the GSR-25 discussions are expected to inform follow-up cooperation between the two regulators, potentially paving the way for joint initiatives, capacity building, and regulatory alignment in the fast-changing digital landscape.