Hormuud Telecom credited for boosting Somalia's path to East African Community

Somalia on Monday kicked off a conference in Mogadishu, aimed at bolstering cooperation with the East African Community (EAC).

The two-day conference opened by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will see delegates discussing how to strengthen cooperation between Somalia and the seven other EAC members.

The conference was attended by ambassadors, university leaders, officials and academics.

Among the conference speakers was Ahmed Mohamed Yusuf, CEO of Hormuud Telecom, who highlighted the telecommunication giant’s role in fostering Somalia's development.

He expressed the belief that communication will be the pillar of integration for Somalia in the EAC bloc.

"For the past 23 years, we've built Hormuud Telecom to become a leader in global communication. Thankfully, we've made significant progress. This success, I believe, played a role in the warm welcome Somalia received from East African Community member countries. They see Somalia as a nation contributing positively and ready to collaborate," explained Ahmed Mohamed Yusuf.

Yusuf further emphasised the telco’s contributions by highlighting the nationwide expansion of communication services.

Further, he mentioned EVC Plus, Somalia's leading mobile money platform used for financial transactions, which has significantly boosted the country's economy.

"Our expanded services have significantly increased digital literacy in Somalia. For the past 13 years, international organizations working with Somalia have directly trusted EVC Plus for transferring funds and assistance. The company has also created over 35,000 jobs."

Yusuf attributed Somalia's economic resurgence, a key factor in its acceptance into the EAC to the progress achieved by Hormuud and its affiliates.

Their success, he argued, emboldened other companies to invest in Somalia, ultimately paving the way for the country's reintegration with the regional bloc.

"This is a win-win situation for both Somalia and the East African Community (EAC) member states. Somalia gains access to a larger market, and I have full confidence that the Somali people will actively participate and make a significant impact within the EAC," Hormuud CEO said.

The first day of the conference focused on Somalia's plans for integration within the EAC, particularly highlighting the opportunities for businesses and civil society. Additionally, experts are conducting in-depth analyses of the process for developing stronger commercial and social ties between Somalia and other EAC member states.