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In a significant stride for Somalia’s digital transformation, Mustafa Yasin Sheik, the Director General of Somalia’s National Communications Authority (NCA), has been appointed to the newly formed International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience. This initiative, established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), aims to strengthen the security and reliability of the global undersea cable network, which handles over 99% of international data traffic.
Enhancing Global Connectivity
Somalia’s inclusion in the advisory body highlights its evolving role as a key player in digital connectivity. The country has connected to five international submarine cables, including the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) and Djibouti Africa Regional Express 1 (DARE1). These advancements have enhanced internet speeds, reduced costs, and fueled innovation, contributing to Somalia’s economic development.
Mustafa Yasin Sheik expressed Somalia’s commitment to the initiative, stating, “Stable and resilient undersea cable infrastructure is critical for our growing digital economy. We are proud to contribute to this global effort while addressing our own unique challenges.”
Strategic Importance of Somalia
Situated along the Horn of Africa, Somalia holds a strategic position in the global telecommunications network. Its location makes it an important hub for regional and international connectivity. The Somali government has worked closely with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and other global partners to address key challenges, including equitable infrastructure sharing and environmental impacts associated with cable deployment.
Objectives of the Advisory Body
Co-chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, and Portugal’s Prof. Sandra Maximiano, the advisory body brings together representatives from governments, academia, and the private sector across six ITU regions.
Key goals include:
Improving cable maintenance procedures.
Reducing recovery times after cable disruptions.
Promoting sustainable practices in the submarine cable industry.
The body will convene twice a year, with its first virtual meeting scheduled for December 2024 and an inaugural summit planned in Abuja, Nigeria, in February 2025.
Lessons from the 2017 Internet Outage
Somalia’s participation in the initiative is also shaped by its vulnerabilities to disruptions in submarine cable infrastructure. In 2017, a ship accidentally severed a key undersea fiber optic cable, resulting in a nationwide internet outage that lasted over three weeks. The incident caused economic losses estimated at $10 million per day, underscoring the critical need for resilient digital infrastructure.
Growing Digital Transformation in Somalia
Internet connectivity in Somalia has seen significant growth in recent years. By 2022, nearly 27.6% of the population had internet access, up from 12% in 2021. This rapid progress is transforming Somalia’s economy and improving access to education, healthcare, and e-commerce.
As part of the advisory body, Somalia is positioned to influence global policies on undersea cable resilience while leveraging international expertise to address domestic challenges.
A Future of Secure Connectivity
The International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience represents a proactive response to the growing threats to global telecommunications infrastructure. By joining this initiative, Somalia not only solidifies its commitment to secure digital connectivity but also sets a precedent for collaboration and self-reliance in the Horn of Africa.