By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
National Communications Authority (NCA) has convened the Second AI Summit
Somalia 2026, bringing together government officials, academics, industry
experts and development partners to explore the role of artificial intelligence
in advancing public service delivery and national development.
The
two-day summit, held in Mogadishu, is organized by the National Communications
Authority of Somalia in collaboration with the AI Somalia Community, Zamzam
University of Science and Technology and the Somali National University.
The
forum serves as a national platform for dialogue on artificial intelligence
governance, innovation, digital transformation and the integration of AI into
key sectors of the economy, including education, healthcare, agriculture,
cybersecurity and public administration.
The
summit was officially opened by Somalia’s Minister of Education, Culture and
Higher Education, H.E. Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir Mohamed, who emphasized the
importance of leveraging artificial intelligence to strengthen education
systems, research capacity and the country’s knowledge-based economy.
Senior
officials from government institutions, university leaders, researchers,
technology experts, innovators, entrepreneurs and civil society representatives
are participating in the discussions, alongside development partners supporting
Somalia’s digital agenda.
Speaking
at the opening session, representatives from key institutions highlighted the
growing importance of artificial intelligence in shaping Somalia’s development
trajectory and improving efficiency in public service delivery.
The
Director General of the National Communications Authority, Mr. Mustafa Yasin
Sheikh, together with other senior officials, underscored the need for
coordinated policy frameworks to guide the responsible adoption of AI
technologies across sectors.
Discussions
at the summit are focusing on AI governance and regulation, digital rights,
data protection, Somali-language AI development, and the broader implications
of emerging technologies for inclusive economic growth.
The
event also features contributions from academia, with university leaders
stressing the importance of research and innovation in building local capacity
and ensuring that Somalia remains actively engaged in global digital
transformation trends.
Supported
by the World Bank Group under the SCALE-UP Project, the summit aims to
strengthen collaboration between public institutions, academia, the private
sector and development partners in developing practical AI-driven solutions
aligned with Somalia’s development priorities.
The
NCA noted that the summit reflects Somalia’s commitment to harnessing digital
technologies to accelerate socio-economic progress and build a resilient,
knowledge-based economy.
