The National Communications Authority (NCA) has completed its first cybersecurity certification training for 15 government officials, closing a month-long program on 10 May 2026 across Mogadishu, online platforms, and Nairobi to protect Somalia’s digital infrastructure.
The initiative, launched on 29 March 2026, brought together ICT professionals from 21 government institutions, though only 15 participants representing 15 institutions received completion certificates. The training covered six internationally recognized cybersecurity certifications through a merit-based pathway.
This milestone arrives as Somalia accelerates digital transformation in public services and finance, making its critical information infrastructure increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. With limited homegrown expertise, the program directly addresses a pressing national security gap and aligns with the government’s broader digital ambitions.
“The successful completion of the first cohort marks an important step toward building a skilled cybersecurity workforce capable of protecting Somalia’s digital systems and critical information infrastructure,” said NCA Director General Mustafa Yasin Sheikh at the closing ceremony. He commended participants for their dedication and urged them to strengthen cybersecurity practices within their respective institutions.”
The World Bank Group funded the program through its SCALED-UP Project, while the African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI) facilitated the training. The NCA indicated that this first cohort will be followed by additional groups to address identified training gaps.
The authority stated that it will continue expanding cybersecurity capacity-building initiatives and deepen collaboration with international cybersecurity partners to safeguard Somalia’s digital future. The director general emphasized that the workforce must grow in step with the nation’s digital ambitions.
