In an unexpected contrast, rural areas in Somalia often have more reliable mobile coverage than some regions of the United Kingdom. While the UK government struggles to ensure consistent service in remote communities, Somalia’s telecom sector has flourished despite political instability, demonstrating how necessity can drive rapid technological innovation.
Upon visiting a Somali village, it’s not unusual to see elders carrying traditional walking sticks in one hand and smartphones in the other. Just a few decades ago, making an international call required traveling across borders into Ethiopia or Kenya. Today, video calls seamlessly connect rural Somalis with their relatives abroad, transforming traditional clan meetings into hybrid gatherings where diaspora members participate via WhatsApp.
Somalia’s telecommunications success is deeply tied to its history. When the central government collapsed in 1991, millions of Somalis sought refuge abroad. The reliance on remittances from this global diaspora created an urgent demand for reliable communication. In the absence of state regulation, private companies such as Hormuud Telecom filled the gap, building extensive networks without government oversight. These firms have since grown into dominant market players, yet they have also delivered tangible benefits: Somalia now offers the most affordable mobile data in Africa and ranks seventh globally for low-cost internet access.
Despite this progress, the relationship between telecom giants and Somalia’s nascent federal government remains tense. In early 2024, a standoff occurred when Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency raided Hormuud Telecom’s offices, seeking access to customer data. The company refused, citing privacy protections, highlighting the complex balance between corporate power and state authority in Somalia’s digital landscape.
Somalia largely bypassed the landline era, transitioning directly to mobile networks. As of 2024, 4G coverage spans major cities and trading routes, with 5G now rolling out in select areas. Over 70% of Somalis use mobile money services such as Hormuud’s EVC Plus and Telesom’s Zaad, making the country one of the world’s most advanced mobile money economies. However, digital access remains uneven, with the northern regions enjoying more stable service than the south, where Al-Shabaab’s presence complicates infrastructure development.
Somalia’s telecom sector challenges the notion that ‘failed states’ lack innovation. The absence of rigid government institutions has, in some ways, accelerated digital transformation. Compared to the UK, where an advanced banking system may have slowed digital finance adoption, Somalia’s lack of traditional financial infrastructure encouraged widespread reliance on mobile money.
The past five years have seen an even greater digital shift. Affordable smartphones from Asia and low-cost mobile data have reshaped communication, with WhatsApp groups becoming essential for governance, emergency response, and community development. In many villages, multiple WhatsApp groups exist for different purposes—one for local infrastructure projects, another for disaster relief, and others for political coordination.
Diaspora contributions remain crucial. When a new school or clinic is proposed, donors abroad can monitor construction progress through live video updates. Voice messages allow elders with limited literacy to engage in decision-making alongside educated professionals abroad. In one observed instance, a doctor in Sweden, a lawyer in Canada, and an elder in Somalia all actively participated in a discussion about building a healthcare facility.
However, this digital system also presents challenges. Clan rivalries can be intensified through WhatsApp-based coordination, and tech-savvy youth sometimes overshadow traditional elders in decision-making. Some diaspora members, overwhelmed by frequent donation requests, resort to changing phone numbers to escape obligations. Additionally, digital tools have altered conflict dynamics—militias use WhatsApp to organize operations, and fighters livestream battles to solicit financial support from abroad.
Somalia’s digital transformation offers valuable lessons in development. Despite extensive international efforts to build centralized governance, decentralized, technology-driven solutions have often proven more effective. While Western models emphasize state institutions, Somalia’s hybrid system integrates technology with traditional clan structures.
This digital shift is set to continue. As one Somali elder put it, gesturing toward his smartphone: “Technology has advanced so many things. Even in the rural areas when they’re milking the cows and goats, we introduce new family members through video calls.” His words capture a reality in which digital innovation flourishes even in the most unlikely places.