The International Telecommunication Union Report Acknowledges Progress in Regulating Communications in Our Country (No. 1 Global risers – (2007 to 2024)

The International Telecommunication Union Report Acknowledges Progress in Regulating Communications in Our Country (No. 1 Global risers – (2007 to 2024)

Mogadishu, Somalia — May 17, 2026 — Somalia has been recognized as the country with the highest global rise in the reform of communication regulation according to the ICT Regulatory Index of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) from its inception until the year 2024, making our country the one that has achieved the greatest rise among all assessed countries during that period.

According to the ITU report released this May 2026, Somalia's overall score in the Communication Regulation & Technology Index rose from 0.0 in 2007 to 77.5% in 2024, representing an increase of +77.5 points, with Somalia ranking first among 15 countries noted for making the most progress in the reform of communication regulation. This change has been driven by reforms implemented since the establishment of the National Communications Authority (HIQ) in 2018, which was built under the National Communications Law.

The ICT Regulatory Tracking Report is one of the key tools used by the ITU to measure the level of development of ICT governance systems in 194 countries. This progress has officially elevated Somalia to the third-generation (G3) regulatory level of the ITU, which is described as a level of “investment growth and service accessibility.”

Speaking about this report, the Director General of the National Communications Authority, Mr. Mustafa Yaasiin Sheekh, stated: “This recognition reflects the efforts Somalia has made since 2018 to build a reliable independent agency and a modern legal framework guiding the telecommunications and technology market. Moving from zero points to reaching the highest countries with the most significant global rise is an important step, but our priority remains strengthening market competition, expanding service accessibility, and reinforcing consumer rights protection.”

He added: “This report is a testament to the efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia, stakeholders in the telecommunications & technology sectors, and international partners who continue to support Somalia's digital transformation.”

Since 2019, HIQ has established and implemented comprehensive regulatory frameworks, which were prepared through an open consultation process. These include a unified licensing system, regulations for interconnection of telecommunications companies, wave management systems and a national plan for communication waves, service quality procedures and consumer protection, as well as numbering systems and strategies for developing new technologies to achieve sustainable and reliable infrastructure.

Read the complete International Telecommunication Union (ITU) report here: