Somalia launches cybersecurity certification program for government officials

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The National Communications Authority of Somalia has inaugurated a cybersecurity certification training program for government officials, aiming to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and protect national data against growing cyber threats.

The program, launched by Director General Mustafa Yasin Sheikh, targets ICT professionals across government institutions, equipping them with internationally recognized certifications to enhance their capacity to manage and secure critical digital systems.

“This training program forms part of the Authority’s efforts to strengthen the protection of Somalia’s digital infrastructure, secure national data, and address the increasing risks of cyber threats,” Sheikh said. “It will also build the capacity of government personnel to effectively protect national digital systems and services.”

Participants will undergo training in globally recognized courses, including CompTIA Security+, Certified Incident Handler by EC Council, Cloud Security Essentials by GIAC, ISMS Lead Auditor (ISO/IEC 27001:2022), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) by ISACA, and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) by ISC2.

The courses will be delivered in Mogadishu via online platforms and in Nairobi, Kenya, from March 28 to May 8, 2026. Government institutions were asked to nominate staff holding at least a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, or related fields, with a minimum of two years of experience in system or network administration.

Only participants who pass examinations at each stage will advance to higher-level certifications. The initiative is supported by the World Bank Group through the SCALED-UP Project and facilitated by the African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute, reinforcing Somalia’s commitment to building a skilled public-sector workforce capable of addressing the country’s cybersecurity challenges.