27 August 2025 — The National Communications Authority (NCA) today convened a regulatory compliance meeting on the implementation of Somalia’s Submarine Cable Regulations. The meeting brought together licensed telecom operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to discuss to discuss compliance obligations, the Annual Reporting Form, the compliance reporting cycle and key submission dates, licensing and approvals for submarine cable projects designated as critical infrastructure, as well as fair, non-discriminatory access at landing stations (including co-location) and environmental and social safeguards for new deployments.
Director General Mustafa Yasin Sheikh opened the meeting and emphasized the Authority’s commitment to both compliance and opportunity. “Somalia now has a clear, modern legal framework, and we look to every licensee to meet their obligations in full,” he said. These Regulations create genuine business opportunities, position our country as a strategic connectivity hub for East and Central Africa, and bolster a stronger digital economy that contributes to the national budget. Our responsibility is to uphold the rules and support compliance.”
The meeting follows the Cabinet’s formal endorsement of the Submarine Cable Regulations on 12 June 2025, which established fair and transparent access conditions for international bandwidth and strengthened Somalia’s pathway to resilient, competitive connectivity.