The Somali government has launched the Somalia Computer Incident Response Team (SOMCIRT), a body tasked with coordinating the prevention, detection, and management of cybersecurity incidents in the country.
According to the National Communications Authority (NCA), the center will be responsible for facilitating incident reporting, issuing alerts and warnings, coordinating responses to cyber threats, and promoting cybersecurity awareness. It will also aim to strengthen cooperation between public institutions, the private sector, and international partners to better protect critical digital infrastructure.
Somalia’s Minister of Communications and Technology, Mohamed Hassan Mohamed, highlighted the importance of the initiative in a context of growing digitalization. According to him, strengthening cybersecurity systems is essential to protect government institutions, telecommunications networks, and other strategic sectors. He added that SOMCIRT will help ensure the security and resilience of the country’s digital ecosystem.
The creation of this structure is предусмотрed under the Cybersecurity Law, adopted by the Somali Parliament in January 2026. It is part of a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to address cyber threats and secure its digital infrastructure.
On the regulatory front, several reforms have also been undertaken in recent years. In August 2025, authorities approved a cybercrime bill. In addition, the Data Protection Law, which came into force in March 2023, led to the creation of the Somalia Data Protection Agency (ADP) responsible for enforcing its provisions.
Somalia is also seeking to strengthen international cooperation in the digital field. On February 10, 2026, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkey covering several technological areas, including cybersecurity. The country has also developed partnerships with Malaysia and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
These initiatives come amid a broader digital transformation, where cybersecurity is becoming a central issue for states seeking to fully benefit from information and communication technologies.
In the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Somalia ranks at Tier 4 out of 5, with an overall score of 37.39 out of 100. This ranking highlights the need for the country to further strengthen its technical, legal, and institutional c