ANKARA – The National Communications Authority (NCA) of Somalia and Turkey’s Information Technologies and Communications Authority (BTK) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in electronic communications, according to a joint statement issued by the two agencies.

The agreement, formalised at BTK headquarters in Ankara, was signed by Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, Director General of Somalia’s NCA, and Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, Chairman of the Board and President of BTK. The MoU creates a framework for collaboration in various areas of mutual interest, encompassing satellite communications regulation, cybersecurity and network resilience, spectrum management, broadband infrastructure development, and internet governance.

During the signing ceremony, Karagözoğlu outlined the broader vision of the partnership: “This partnership will facilitate knowledge sharing, regulatory experience exchange, and best practices adoption, supporting robust, future-oriented communications sectors in both Turkey and Somalia.”

Mustafa Yasin Sheikh underscored the strategic importance of the agreement for Somalia’s communications sector, stating that it “fortifies institutional collaboration between NCA and BTK, enabling capacity development… thus contributing to the advancement and modernization of Somalia’s communications infrastructure”.

Deepening Somalia-Turkey Cooperation in ICT

The agreement marks a significant step in the growing technological partnership between Somalia and Turkey. Post-signing, the Director General and his delegation participated in technical discussions with BTK and other relevant Turkish institutions, focusing on practical implementation strategies, consumer protection, and regulatory methodologies.

Turkey has been expanding its technological footprint in Somalia, including plans to construct a $350 million spaceport in Somalia as part of its ambitious space exploration program. The telecommunications regulatory MoU is expected to complement these broader infrastructure investments.

Strategic Modernisation of Somalia’s Communications Sector

The agreement comes at a time when Somalia is working to modernise its communications infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. Somalia was named the world’s top ICT regulatory reformer by the International Telecommunication Union in 2025, reflecting the country’s commitment to digital transformation.

Somalia and Turkey have also signed intelligence-sharing agreements to combat financial crimes, money laundering, and terrorism financing, highlighting the breadth of their bilateral cooperation.

Way Forward

The MoU creates a framework for collaboration across several key regulatory and technical areas. The partnership is expected to support capacity building, knowledge exchange, and improved regulatory frameworks, contributing to the growth and modernisation of Somalia’s communications sector.