Somalia Advances Digital Governance with Approval of Public Data Protection Regulation

An extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Federal Government of Somalia, chaired by H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and attended by H.E. Hamza Abdi Barre, has approved by majority vote the Regulatory Framework for the Public Data Protection Law, following in-depth deliberations on the urgent need for a robust legal regime to safeguard citizens’ data and ensure transparent governance of data-related services.

The newly approved regulation carries strategic significance in strengthening, organizing, and advancing the national system for public data protection. It introduces essential provisions required for the effective implementation of the Public Data Protection Law and aligns Somalia’s legal framework with the country’s ongoing digital transformation agenda.

The Ministry of Communications and Technology—which drafted the regulatory framework—confirmed to the Council that the regulation has undergone all constitutional, legal, and technical procedures mandated by national law prior to its approval.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications and Technology, H.E. Mohamed Somali, expressed his appreciation to the President, the Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers for their firm commitment to reinforcing legal frameworks that underpin digital government, data security, and the protection of citizens’ rights. He emphasized that the approval of this regulation marks a critical step toward building public trust in government digital services.

In conclusion, the adoption of the Regulatory Framework for the Public Data Protection Law is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring data privacy, strengthening information security, and reinforcing good governance, at a time when the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to modernize public services and expand access to secure, citizen-centered digital solutions.