Hormuud Telecom Teams Up with GSMA to Expand Mobile Network Services for Humanitarian Sector in Somalia

Hormuud Telecom and the GSMA Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation Programme (M4H) have joined forces to promote the adoption of Hormuud’s mobile network services within Somalia’s humanitarian sector.

Under the GSMA M4H initiative, technical support will be provided, and partnerships with humanitarian organizations will be facilitated. Hormuud, leveraging its experience in mobile money cash transfers and other mobile-enabled services, will share valuable insights and best practices. Their overarching objective is to improve access to mobile-enabled services for digitally marginalized populations, including through the utilization of Hormuud’s Humanitarian Portal.

The Humanitarian Portal is built upon Hormuud’s mobile money platform, EVC Plus, which offers a convenient channel for humanitarian organizations to distribute funds. This tool has become indispensable for international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) engaged in delivering cash aid within Somalia.

This collaboration takes place at a critical juncture, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting that approximately 8.25 million people in Somalia are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Ahmed Yusef, CEO of Hormuud, expressed confidence in the transformative potential of strategic partnerships like the one forged with GSMA. He envisions uplifting Somali communities, enhancing their well-being, and providing the necessary support and connectivity to thrive in collaboration with humanitarian agencies.

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and supported by GSMA and its members, the M4H program aims to expedite the delivery and impact of digital humanitarian assistance. It achieves this by catalyzing partnerships and fostering innovation for novel digital humanitarian services. The program specifically addresses urgent challenges such as natural disasters, food insecurity, and forced displacement, which are further compounded by the climate crisis.

Kimberly Brown, Head of Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation at GSMA, highlighted the significance of this partnership in tackling pressing humanitarian issues in the Horn of Africa. She emphasized that by combining their expertise, they will effectively address the needs of underserved populations and ensure the provision of crucial humanitarian services to those who need them the most.

Hormuud Telecom has an established track record of promoting digital inclusivity in Somalia. The company introduced mobile money services in the country in 2011, pioneering the field. Last year, it became the first recipient of the GSMA’s Mobile Money Certification, recognizing its adherence to internationally recognized standards.

Furthermore, the groundbreaking Humanitarian Portal, which revolutionized mobile money cash transfers and provided essential financial services to millions of Somalis, received the prestigious GSMA GLOMO Changing Lives award in 2022.

This partnership reinforces Hormuud Telecom’s commitment to realizing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By delivering connectivity and innovative products and services (SDG 9) tailored to the unique needs of Somalis, Hormuud contributes to promoting access (SDG 10) through technology and strategic partnerships (SDG 17).