Somalia organises Third National Cybersecurity Forum in Mogadishu

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The Third National Cybersecurity Forum has opened in Mogadishu, bringing together key stakeholders to advance Somalia’s digital security agenda. The two-day forum is jointly organised by the National Communications Authority (NCA) and Mogadishu University under the theme “Promoting Digital Security in Somalia.”

The annual forum serves as a national platform for strengthening the country’s cybersecurity ecosystem and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors. Participants include senior government officials, policymakers, cybersecurity experts, representatives from telecommunications operators, internet service providers, financial institutions, academia and civil society organisations.

This year’s forum places particular emphasis on the role of cybersecurity in safeguarding Digital Public Infrastructure and the need for robust regulatory, policy and institutional frameworks to address emerging cyber risks. Discussions are focused on building shared responsibility and coordinated approaches to protecting critical digital systems as Somalia’s digital transformation accelerates.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the President of Mogadishu University, Dr Ibrahim Mohamed Mursal, welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, academia and the private sector in addressing cybersecurity challenges. He also commended the partnership between Mogadishu University and the National Communications Authority in jointly hosting the forum.

In his remarks, the Director General of the National Communications Authority, Mr Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, described cybersecurity as a foundational pillar of Somalia’s digital transformation agenda. He stressed that effectively addressing cyber threats requires close coordination among public institutions, academic bodies and private sector actors.

The forum was officially opened by the Minister of Communications and Technology, H.E. MP Mohamed Hassan Mohamed (Soomaali), who reaffirmed cybersecurity as a national priority. He noted its direct impact on governance, economic growth and public trust in digital services, and outlined the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to develop and enforce cybersecurity laws and policies to protect critical information and essential services. He also disclosed that Somalia’s Cybersecurity Law is currently under consideration by Parliament.

The programme for the forum includes keynote addresses, expert presentations, panel discussions, academic research sessions and tabletop exercises. These activities are designed to deepen dialogue on cybersecurity governance, strengthen public–private partnerships, raise national awareness and enhance coordinated incident response capabilities.