The Somali government to upgrade submarine cable regulations

The Somali government is committed to enhancing its digital infrastructure by strengthening the regulatory framework for submarine cable landings. That initiative is part of a broader strategy to align Somalia’s telecommunications policies with international standards and support the country’s economic development objectives.

To advance this goal, the National Communications Authority (NCA), in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has organised a consultation workshop from 10 September to 11. The workshop focuses on critical issues such as licensing, environmental considerations, and infrastructure sharing, aiming to create a more robust and efficient regulatory environment for submarine cables.

As Somalia is already connected by five international submarine cables—2Africa, Djibouti Africa Regional Express 1 (DARE 1), Eastern Africa Submarine System (EASSy), Gulf2Africa (G2A), and PEACE—and is set to join the Africa-1 cable network by late 2024, the government’s regulatory improvements are poised to bolster the country’s digital connectivity significantly. The enhanced framework aims to streamline the process of introducing additional submarine cables, which is expected to lower internet costs and broaden access.

The World Bank’s research indicates that each doubling of international capacity typically results in a 7% reduction in fixed broadband prices and a 13% decrease in mobile internet costs. These changes will make internet services more affordable and accessible, fostering greater economic growth and social development across Somalia.