MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia opened its Third National Cybersecurity Forum on Monday, bringing together government, industry and academia in Mogadishu to strengthen digital defenses and coordinate responses to rising cyber risks targeting the country’s essential services and Digital Public Infrastructure.
The two-day meeting, themed “Promoting Digital Security in Somalia,” is jointly organized by the National Communications Authority (NCA) and Mogadishu University. Senior government officials, policymakers, cybersecurity specialists, telecommunications operators, Internet Service Providers, banking and financial leaders, researchers and civil society groups are participating.
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Organizers said the forum aims to consolidate a shared national responsibility for cybersecurity and to accelerate practical steps that protect communications networks and public-facing digital services. The agenda focuses on governance, public–private cooperation, national awareness and coordinated incident response—areas seen as foundational as Somalia digitizes more services and expands connectivity.
Mogadishu University President Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed Mursal underscored the value of linking research and policy with operational challenges faced by service providers and regulators. NCA Director General Mustafa Yasin Sheikh described cybersecurity as a pillar of Somalia’s digital transformation, stressing that countering threats requires tight coordination across government institutions, universities and the private sector. He said the NCA is committed to reinforcing regulatory frameworks and technical capacity to safeguard national communications infrastructure and digital platforms.
Minister of Communications and Technology Mohamed Hassan Mohamed (Soomaali) framed cybersecurity as a national priority with direct implications for governance, economic growth and public trust. He said the ministry is working to develop and enforce cybersecurity laws and policies to protect critical information and essential services, and noted that a Cybersecurity Law is currently under parliamentary review.
The forum puts a spotlight on Somalia’s Digital Public Infrastructure—core systems such as networks, data platforms and digital services that underpin service delivery and commerce—and on the need to update regulatory, policy and institutional frameworks as the threat landscape evolves. Participants are expected to examine where gaps exist in capacity, coordination and response, and to propose actions that move policy into implementation.
Over two days, the program features keynote addresses, expert presentations, panel discussions, academic research papers and tabletop exercises. Organizers say the sessions are designed to surface clear, actionable recommendations that can be adopted across ministries and by operators and financial institutions that manage sensitive data and consumer-facing services.
Key areas of emphasis include:
- Cybersecurity governance and risk management across public institutions and critical sectors
- Public–private partnerships to improve threat information sharing and resilience
- National awareness campaigns to strengthen user behavior and organizational hygiene
- Coordinated incident response, testing and exercises to reduce impact and recovery time
The Third National Cybersecurity Forum signals Somalia’s continued push to formalize cyber policy and operational readiness alongside rapid digital growth. With internet use, mobile money and e-government services expanding, officials and industry leaders say a cohesive national approach—grounded in updated rules, skilled talent and tested response plans—will be essential to protect services, sustain economic momentum and reinforce public trust.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
