Somalia approves historic cyber-crime legislation

27 August 2025

Somalia has taken a significant stride towards safeguarding its digital infrastructure by approving a pioneering cyber-crime Bill, which received endorsement from Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and the federal cabinet.

The legislation was meticulously drafted and presented by Somalia’s Ministry of Communications and Technology under the leadership of Minister Mohamed Adam Moalim Ali.

This landmark move coincides with recent efforts by Somalia’s National Communications Authority, which signed two strategic agreements with Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission and Cyber Security Malaysia. These accords aim to bolster collaboration in digital regulation, technical cooperation, and cybersecurity measures. One of the agreements specifically targets joint efforts to address shared cyber security challenges, including incident prevention and response, threat intelligence sharing, development of capacity-building programs, and cyber diplomacy initiatives.

The new Somali cyber-crime Bill aims to prevent the illegal use of computer systems and modern devices while safeguarding national confidentiality, security, and public morality. It also seeks to protect the country’s economic interests and critical information infrastructure by establishing clear rules and penalties aligned with international and regional standards.

Minister Moalim Ali praised the cabinet’s ratification of the legislation, emphasising that it marks a vital step in protecting Somalia’s digital systems and promoting economic and national security interests. He highlighted that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that Somalia maintains secure, modern, and well-regulated communication networks that keep pace with global technological advancements.

The minister underscored that these initiatives are fundamental to Somalia’s economic development and the safeguarding of national security in an increasingly digital world, signalling the country’s dedication to building a resilient and secure cyberspace.