Somalia Pushes Smartphone Access

Hormuud Telecom has partnered with Get-Phone to launch a smartphone financing programme aimed at helping low-income users across Central and South Somalia access smartphones for the first time.

The initiative seeks to address one of the biggest barriers to digital inclusion in Somalia: the high cost of smartphones and mobile data relative to average incomes. Through the programme, customers will be able to access both a smartphone and a daily package of connectivity services at a subsidised rate.

Speaking during the launch, Salah Ahmed Jama, Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, said smartphones have become essential tools for economic and social participation.

“A smartphone today is far more than a device; it is a gateway to commerce, education, financial inclusion, and opportunity. In the hands of our citizens, it becomes a powerful tool for empowerment and productivity,” he said.

He added that the initiative demonstrates the role Somalia’s private sector can play in supporting the country’s Vision 2060 agenda by making opportunities more accessible to citizens.

Under the financing model, customers who currently spend an average of $0.50 per day for 1GB of data and 40 minutes of calls will now pay $0.60 daily to receive the same connectivity bundle together with a smartphone device. The programme specifically targets lower-income users earning an estimated average monthly income of $150.

The first phase of the rollout will see 10,000 devices distributed by June, with plans to expand to 100,000 devices by the end of the year as the programme extends into Puntland and Somaliland.

According to Ahmed Yusuf, the partnership is intended to close the final gap in Somalia’s digital infrastructure journey.

“For twenty years, we have built a network that we believe can transform Somalia. The barrier is not the mast in the distance; it is the handset in the pocket. Today, we are removing that barrier, and in doing so, delivering the last mile of infrastructure this country has been waiting for,” he said.

Research from organizations such as the World Bank and GSMA has shown that greater access to mobile broadband can increase household consumption, reduce extreme poverty, and contribute to GDP growth in developing economies.

The programme builds on significant telecom infrastructure investments already made in Somalia over the past two decades. Hormuud Telecom has invested in fibre optic connectivity, co-financed two subsea cables, and launched Somalia’s first 5G service. The company says more than 70 per cent of Somalia’s population is currently covered by 4G internet services.

Omar Abdi said the initiative is designed to unlock economic opportunity through affordable digital access.

“Somalia is one of the most dynamic, entrepreneurial societies in the world. This programme is built on the belief that when you give people access to the right tools at the right price, they will do extraordinary things with them,” he said.

The financing model was piloted in Mogadishu between February and March, targeting low-income users and testing the technical integration behind the programme. According to the companies, the pilot recorded default rates below 4 per cent and strong adoption across target groups.

The companies also noted that many customers acted as guarantors for relatives, including family members living in rural and nomadic communities, helping extend access while lowering financial risk.

The initiative aligns with Somalia’s national transformation strategy and Vision 2060 agenda by supporting broader participation in digital financial services, e-commerce, online learning, and other digital economic opportunities.