Sunday June 14, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s National Communications Authority (NCA) on Sunday opened the Second AI Summit Somalia 2026, a two-day national forum focused on the role of artificial intelligence in public services, innovation, digital transformation and economic development.
The summit was organized by the NCA in collaboration with the AI Somalia Community and in coordination with Zamzam University of Science and Technology (ZUST) and Somali National University (SNU).
Education, Culture and Higher Education Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir Mohamed officially opened the summit, stressing the need for Somalia to strategically use artificial intelligence to strengthen education, research, innovation and the country’s knowledge-based economy.
The opening ceremony also included remarks from Dr. Mohamud Mohamed Hassan Harbi, rector of Zamzam University of Science and Technology; Prof. Dr. Mohamed Mohamud Mohamed, rector of Somali National University; Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, director general of the National Communications Authority; and Ahmed Ismail Dirie, state minister at the Ministry of Communications and Technology.
The summit brought together senior federal government officials, heads of public institutions, university representatives, researchers, technology experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, civil society groups, students and development partners.
Participants are expected to discuss AI governance and regulation, the use of AI in public services, education, health care, agriculture, cybersecurity, data protection, digital rights, Somali-language AI, innovation and the digital economy.
Organizers said the summit aims to provide a collaborative platform for government, academia, researchers, the private sector and development partners to develop practical AI-driven solutions that support Somalia’s development priorities.
The event is supported by the World Bank Group through the SCALE-UP Project.
Leave a Reply