By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Somalia’s
House of the People has approved a new Cybersecurity Law aimed at protecting
the country’s digital infrastructure, securing information systems and
strengthening national cybersecurity governance.
The
law, approved on January 26, 2026, establishes a comprehensive national
framework for managing cybersecurity in Somalia. It defines the policy
oversight responsibilities of the Ministry of Communications and Technology,
assigns technical regulatory functions to the National Communications Authority
of Somalia, and sets out obligations for operators of critical information
infrastructure.
The
legislation also introduces mechanisms for the prevention, reporting and
response to cybersecurity incidents and provides for the establishment of the
Somalia Computer Incident Response Team, known as SOM-CIRT, to coordinate
national incident response efforts.
Commenting
on the development, the Director General of the National Communications
Authority of Somalia, Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, described the approval as a
significant milestone in building a coordinated national cybersecurity system
and improving the country’s preparedness to address evolving digital threats.
The
State Minister of Communications and Technology, Ahmed Osman Dirie, welcomed
the passage of the law and expressed appreciation to Members of Parliament for
their support. He noted that the legislation is a critical pillar for
safeguarding national cybersecurity, protecting citizens’ interests and
aligning Somalia’s digital governance framework with international standards
and best practices.
The
Cybersecurity Law is expected to enhance digital trust, support the growth of
Somalia’s digital economy and strengthen collaboration among government
institutions, the private sector and international partners in addressing
cybersecurity challenges.
