Somalia: Hormuud Telecom and GIZ Sign MoU to Boost Inclusive Digital Economy in East Africa

Somalia: Hormuud Telecom and GIZ Ink MoU to Bolster Inclusive Digital Economy in East Africa  

MOGADISHU, Somalia, March 31 – Somalia’s biggest telecom operator, Hormuud Telecom, has joined forces with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in a new agreement aimed at widening access to the digital economy in Somalia and across East Africa.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed Tuesday in Mogadishu, is intended to support the East African Community’s digital transformation drive. The partnership centers on cross-border payments, digital skills development, and artificial intelligence training, with an eye on creating more opportunities for young people.

Hormuud Telecom Chief Communications Manager Abdirashid Ali Ainanshe said the agreement grew out of talks between Hormuud representatives and GIZ officials at the Germany-East Africa Trade and Investment Forum held in Frankfurt and Berlin in January 2026.

“Hormuud Telecom is honored to sign this MoU today with GIZ, in Mogadishu,” said Mr. Ainanshe, Hormuud’s Head of Public Relations. “This shows that our country has taken a positive step in business that has a significant impact on Africa and the world. When the country collapsed, the only sector that survived was business.”

Beyond digital cooperation, the MoU also covers climate financing, environmental solutions, and efforts to identify market entry opportunities for Somali businesses in Europe.

GIZ’s Cluster Coordinator for EAC, Björn Richter, said the agreement would deepen support for the East African Community’s digital transformation agenda.

“Boosting our support to the EAC digital transformation agenda, we are partnering with Hormuud to support an inclusive digital economy in the region, fostering impacts for East Africans. We look forward to supporting further cooperation with private sector actors from Invest EastAfrica, such as the world’s leading interconnection platform DE-CIX and payment system actors.”

At the signing ceremony, Somali government ministers described the deal as an important marker of progress for the country’s private sector.

Hon Mohamud Abdirahman Sheikh Farah (Beene-Beene) said the agreement reflected the growing reach of Somalia’s private companies, which are now securing influential international partnerships. He added that it showed Somali firms were becoming more mature in striking mutually beneficial agreements abroad.

“Hormuud Telecom has represented Somalia’s private sector at regional and international levels, and on behalf of the government, we are very grateful,” the minister said.

Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Jamal Mohamed Hassan, said the agreement underscored Hormuud’s continued contribution to national development and marked a meaningful step in the digital age.

“The MoU is of great importance to Somalia. Today, the world has moved to the digital system. Having such a platform that Hormuud Telecom and GIZ are working on across East Africa will facilitate and ease business,” he added.

Mohamed Isak Ibrahim (Fatiir), Director-General for East African Community Affairs at Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called the MoU historic.

“Somalia’s private sector is primed for regional integration, with a heavy focus on trade and the digital economy,” he stated. The agreement was formally signed by Hormuud Telecom’s Managing Director, Mohamed Abdi Mohamed, and Björn Richter on behalf of GIZ. It opens the door to stronger financial links between East Africa and Europe while further elevating Somalia’s role in the global digital economy.

AXADLETM