Somalia’s Telecom Success: An Unexpected Tale of Innovation and Resilience

In discussions about technological advancement and innovation, there’s one narrative that continually stands out as both surprising and inspiring: Somalia’s telecommunications story. After all, how does a country, which has navigated the turbulent waters of lacking a functioning central government for over three decades, manage to architect one of Africa’s most sophisticated mobile networks? It’s counterintuitive, isn’t it?

What’s even more fascinating is that Somalia’s telecom industry hasn’t merely scraped by. Indeed, it’s flourished because of the very challenges it faces. Reflect on this: when the centralized Somali state crumbled in 1991, an exodus occurred. Hundreds of thousands of Somalis sought refuge abroad. But those remaining relied heavily on remittances from the diaspora, thereby creating a dire necessity for robust communication channels. Enter companies like Hormuud Telecom. These enterprises grasped the opportunity, establishing comprehensive networks in the regulatory vacuum left by the absence of government oversight. Over time, these companies have matured into formidable oligopolies, dominating the sector. Yet, the fruits of their labor are indisputable: today, Somalia boasts the cheapest mobile data tariffs on the African continent and ranks seventh globally.

A Complex Interplay of Interests

The relationship between nascent Somali federal governance—which is externally supported—and these telecom giants is noticeably intricate. A thought-provoking incident unfolded in January 2024, when the National Intelligence and Security Agency of Somalia executed a raid on Hormuud’s premises. The goal? To gain access to customer data from their mobile money operations. Hormuud’s refusal, citing privacy protections, led to a standoff, a brief yet tense impasse that underscored the formidable influence of telecom corporations. Additionally, this situation highlighted the operational challenges of maintaining such businesses amid Somalia’s dynamic security landscape. Across territories eschewing centralized control, telecom firms skillfully navigate myriad security demands from various armed factions.

Paradoxically, it’s this very geopolitical environment that fuels innovation. By bypassing the entire landline age, Somalia catapulted directly into mobile networks. Picture this: by early 2024, urban centers were blanketed with 4G coverage, and major providers embarked on rolling out 5G capabilities. What’s more, over 70% of Somalis engage with mobile money services such as Hormuud’s EVC Plus or Telesom’s Zaad. As such, Somalia sits among the world’s elite in mobile money economies. Geographical variations abound, with Northern regions—less influenced by Al-Shabaab—yielding more constancy compared to their Southern counterparts. Yet, even in conflict zones, essential mobile services exhibit extraordinary resilience.

Beyond the Facade of a “Failed State”

Somalia’s telecom saga stands as a vivid testament that so-called “failed states” can, in surprising ways, harness innovation and blossom economically. Reducing the Somali narrative to mere state collapse misses the underlying grit and entrepreneurship woven throughout its challenging landscape. On the flip side, however, one must acknowledge the disparities. Digital connectivity benefits are not equitably spread, with under-connected rural enclaves underscoring high inequality. Despite catalyzing technological progress, telecom companies maintain substantial market clout, paving their paths through the intricate web of influence and power.

In a bemusing twist, the very infrastructure fostering economic dynamism becomes a tool for myriad groups: Al-Shabaab skillfully wields social media for its ends, clans rally on WhatsApp for fundraising, and nascent governance bodies progressively anchor themselves in digital services. Have you ever pondered this: is it possible that the intricacies of an advanced banking system could impede digital advancement?

While Britain, for instance, wades through bureaucratic swamps, Somalia’s lack of entrenched institutions catalyzes rapid progress in mobile finance and digital governance. In an ironic twist reminiscent of poetic justice, some Somali villages, with their unpaved roads, experience more reliable mobile connectivity than certain areas in urban England.

A Digital Tapestry of Community and Conflict

The revolution’s essence is more evident in recent years. Affordable smartphones flooding from Asia, coupled with meager data costs, have transformed Somali society’s function. WhatsApp groups emerge as pivotal coordination tools in areas where government reach is attenuated. The digital ecosystem, surprisingly intricate, coalesces with Somalia’s societal fabric. Whether it’s launching new schools, constructing roads, or fueling political engagement, each group, often organized along clan lines, fulfills vital community needs.

Picture this: a village, abundant with dozens of WhatsApp groups—each addressing distinct necessities, ranging from emergency management to educational projects. These vibrant digital conduits present unexpected challenges to Western state-building endeavors. For instance, in many Somali regions despite billions invested and decades of effort by international actors like the UK, digital group interventions often outpace governmental initiatives in service delivery and order maintenance.

This sophisticated digital ecosystem not only fortifies community dynamics but also transforms conflict mechanics. Recently, during fieldwork in northern Somalia amidst city clashes, I observed how clan militias harnessed WhatsApp for military coordination while rallying diaspora funding. Local individuals wield smartphones not just as communication tools, but as instruments of warfare, livestreaming skirmishes and broadcasting these narratives globally. Such digital warfare dynamics—recently spotlighted in Ukraine—have long been integral to Somalia’s reality.

Lessons in Digital Evolution

Somalia’s trajectory unveils invaluable insights about development in an interconnected world. As the international stage leans heavily on traditional state-building optics, on-the-ground Somalis weave a dynamic blend of conventional structures with cutting-edge technology. This evolution isn’t a one-size-fits-all but rather a transformative reminder that effective governance and progress can deviate, sometimes drastically, from Western-centric models.

This persistent digital advancement is not skidding to a halt. As one elder proudly shared, gesturing towards his smartphone: “Technology has advanced so many things. Even in the rural areas when they’re milking the cows and goats, we introduce new family members through video calls.” Such vignettes irrefutably illustrate how digital progress reverberates profoundly, blossoming even from the most unexpected origins—showcasing that innovation, in truth, transcends the tangible presence of a functioning state.

Edited By Ali Musa, Axadle Times International – Monitoring.