Somalia has entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to advance its national digital transformation agenda. Signed on July 16 in Mogadishu, the agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in digital governance, innovation, public service delivery, and human capital development.
UNDP’s resident representative in Somalia, Lionel Laurens, explained that the MoU will serve as a framework to enhance Somalia’s digital infrastructure and inclusion strategies, focusing on e-governance and capacity building.
This partnership forms part of Somalia’s broader international outreach to close its digital divide and stimulate socio-economic development. Earlier in July, Somali officials reaffirmed their commitment to global collaboration during discussions in Switzerland with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and representatives from Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Djibouti. Key topics included youth digital skills, telecom infrastructure, cybersecurity, governance, and investment in emerging technologies.
Somalia ranks near the bottom globally in digital development. According to the UN’s 2024 E-Government Development Index, Somalia is 191st out of 193 countries with a score of 0.1468, well below Africa’s average of 0.4247. Its position in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index is also low, reflecting substantial technical and regulatory hurdles.
Laurens reaffirmed UNDP’s support for Somalia’s federal government and highlighted the Ministry of Telecommunications as a critical player in the digital transition. He noted that while the MoU lays an important foundation, its success depends on effective implementation in the future.
