Somalia Looks to Strengthen Communication Ties in East Africa Following EACO Delegation Visit

Somalia is taking decisive steps to enhance its communication capabilities and integrate more deeply into the East African region. This development follows a recent visit from a high-level delegation from the East African Communications Organisation (EACO), led by its Director, Dr. Ally Yahaya Simba. The delegation’s visit marks a crucial moment in Somalia’s efforts to harmonize its communication policies with its regional counterparts, paving the way for improved cooperation and development.

During their time in Somalia, the EACO delegation met with key stakeholders in the country’s communication sector, including Communications and Technology Minister Mohamed Aadan and the National Communications Authority (NCA) Director General Mustafa Yaasiin Sheekh. The meetings provided an opportunity to assess Somalia’s current communication landscape and to identify areas where collaboration could be strengthened.

According to NCA Director General Sheekh, the delegation’s visit was primarily aimed at understanding the existing state of communication infrastructure and policies in Somalia. “The purpose of the delegation was to gain insight into the state of communication in the country and related policies,” said Sheekh. “We hope that after this visit, we will fully participate in other communication activities in East and Central Africa. This will help us seize opportunities for exchanging ideas, harmonizing communication laws, and ensuring that our communication companies contribute to the extensive development of the East African region.”

Sheekh added that following the delegation’s assessment, Somalia is now better positioned to harmonize its communication laws with those of other East African countries. This step is expected to significantly enhance regional cooperation, allowing Somalia to play a more active role in the development of the region’s communication sector.

Dr. Ally Yahaya Simba, who led the EACO delegation, expressed his admiration for the progress made by Somalia in its communication sector. “I am very pleased to be in Mogadishu. I am impressed by the ICT progress in Somalia, especially the affordable prices of ICT services that have caught my attention,” said Simba. He further emphasized the potential benefits of regional cooperation in advancing the ICT sector for the benefit of citizens across East Africa. “I believe that by working together regionally, we can jointly advance the ICT sector to benefit the citizens of our countries.”

The visit also highlighted Somalia’s readiness to leverage the experiences and knowledge of other EACO member countries. Minister Maalim expressed his gratitude to the delegation for their visit and underscored Somalia’s commitment to utilizing the expertise and experiences shared by other nations within the EACO framework. He noted that this cooperation is part of a broader strategy to strengthen regional relations and foster collaboration in the field of communication.

This visit comes at a time when Somalia is looking to solidify its presence within the East African community. Recently, Somalia became a member of the eight-nation East African Community (EAC) bloc, a move that allows its nationals to move and trade freely among member countries, including Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. This membership is expected to provide Somalia with numerous opportunities to integrate more deeply into regional markets, promoting trade and economic growth.

With one of the longest coastlines and a wealth of human resources, Somalia stands to gain significantly from closer ties with its East African neighbors. Strengthening communication infrastructure and policies is a key component of this integration, enabling Somalia to contribute more effectively to regional development efforts.

As Somalia continues to enhance its communication sector, the government remains optimistic about the future. By aligning its policies with those of other East African nations, Somalia aims to not only improve its own communication landscape but also contribute to the growth and development of the entire region. The recent EACO delegation visit is a significant step toward achieving these goals, marking a new chapter in Somalia’s regional integration journey.