National Communications Authority of Somalia Hosts Successful National Validation Workshop on ICT Price Basket Indicators

Mogadishu, Somalia, 17 August 2024 – The National Communications Authority (NCA) of Somalia, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA), successfully conducted a virtual workshop titled “ICT Price Basket Indicators: Best Practices, Benchmarking, and Guidelines.” This workshop brought together a diverse range of stakeholders from Somalia’s Telecommunications and ICT sector, including licensed telecommunications operators and internet service providers, to discuss and validate key price basket indicators crucial for the effective regulation of telecommunications service pricing in the country.

In his opening remarks, the Director General of NCA, Mr. Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, highlighted the importance of the workshop in shaping the future of telecommunications regulation in Somalia. “Today, we have a unique opportunity to influence the strategies that will govern our telecommunications landscape for years to come,” said Mr. Sheikh. “Through collaboration, open dialogue, and a commitment to inclusivity, we can develop regulatory frameworks that promote fair pricing and drive innovation, encourage healthy market competition, and ensure that no one is left behind in this digital age.”

The workshop featured presentations and discussions on various topics, including ICT price basket methodologies, accounting separation guidelines, and proposed regulations for telecommunications services pricing and infrastructure sharing in Somalia. These discussions provided valuable insights that will influence the pricing strategies within the telecommunications and ICT sectors, marking significant progress towards a more connected and informed telecommunications landscape in the country.

Dr. Nibal Idlebi, Acting Director of the Statistics, Information Society, and Technology Cluster at ESCWA, emphasized the collaborative efforts between ESCWA and the NCA in preparing and developing the report on ICT Price Basket methodology and Somalia’s performance in this area. “Our cluster, the Statistics, Information Society, and Technology Cluster at ESCWA, was pleased to work with the National Communications Authority of Somalia in preparing and developing a report on the ICT Price Basket methodology and Somalia’s performance in this domain. ESCWA’s draft report incorporates two widely recognized methodologies, specifically those of the OECD and ITU, and highlights Somalia’s performance across these IPB indicators,” stated Dr. Idlebi.

During the workshop, participants critically evaluated a draft advisory report and proposed regulatory frameworks, contributing insights that promise to enhance service affordability, sustainability, and quality. Their input is crucial for promoting transparency, ensuring efficient cost allocation, and maintaining competitive fairness in the market.

The NCA remains committed to fostering a telecommunications environment that is transparent, competitive, and accessible to all. The insights gained and the frameworks developed during this workshop are expected to significantly advance Somalia’s telecommunications infrastructure, paving the way for ongoing development and connectivity improvements.