Somalia’s National Communications Authority (NCA) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have officially launched the first Somalia Submarine Cable Landing Technical Working Group workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. This high-level workshop, which commenced on Monday, is considered a major milestone in the history of the country’s digital infrastructure.
This two-day expert forum is primarily aimed at improving the resilience, reliability, and sustainable development of Somalia’s broadband infrastructure, according to officials from the authority.
The workshop has brought together telecom operators, internet service providers (ISPs), and senior technical experts operating within Somalia’s telecommunications sector. The main objective of the meeting is to strengthen dialogue between the regulatory body and industry stakeholders, and it is designed to build a shared understanding and seek solutions for the major challenges facing Somalia’s submarine cable sector.
This historic meeting was organized through the broadband infrastructure project supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), also known as the “Somali Unlocking Sector Investment Project.”
Participants at the workshop held in-depth discussions on several critical agendas regarding the country’s internet and communication connectivity. Among these were outage management strategies to quickly repair internet disruptions caused by cable damage and to devise alternative routes, and market competition aimed at ensuring healthy and fair competition among telecom companies to guarantee affordable prices for consumers.
Additionally, the sessions focused on infrastructure development to expand submarine cable landing stations and related technologies in a modern way, alongside the implementation of the regulatory framework to put Somalia’s submarine cable control laws into practice and enforce compliance.
Officials stated that this technical working group meeting will clearly identify practical measures to improve the reliability of Somalia’s international communication connectivity and to reduce the risks associated with cable disruptions.
During the workshop, the findings of a recently completed study report on the Somali telecommunications market were presented, allowing stakeholders to discuss and validate the key results. Furthermore, extensive consultations were held regarding the priorities for the future development of the sector.
Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, Director General of the National Communications Authority (NCA) of Somalia, emphasized that submarine cables are absolutely vital for Somalia’s digital future. He stated that submarine cables are the backbone of Somalia’s digital connectivity, playing a crucial role in supporting economic growth, innovation, and access to essential services. He added that through this technical working group, they are strengthening cooperation between the regulator and industry stakeholders to build a more robust and reliable communications infrastructure.
Currently, Somalia’s internet connectivity depends heavily on submarine cable systems. This reality has made enhancing cable resilience and establishing regulatory coordination a vital, top priority for the country’s rapidly growing digital economy.
