Our mission to connect every Somali to high-speed internet by 2023
By: Ahmed Mohamed Yusuf, CEO, Hormuud Telecom
Access to the internet is a human right. It is an essential instrument to developing nations that enables vital services such as aid and international remittances, whilst underpinning day-to-day business and educational activities.
Since Hormuud Telecom’s humble beginnings, our mission has been to bring trusted telecoms and broadband services to the four corners of Somalia. Connecting Somalis to one another, and the world, is essential to building our budding modern economy.
We began expanding our 4G network capacity in 2015 in partnership with Somalia’s Ministry of Telecommunications. As a result, they estimate that 70% of Somalia’s 15 million population now have access to 4G internet.
For a long time, this 4G access has been concentrated in our metropolitan areas. Somalis in rural areas have not had the same level of service as their big-city compatriots. As such, 30% of Hormuud’s 3.6 million customers still rely on our 2G network. We plan to change this.
We’re delighted to announce Hormuud’s ambition to bring broadband speed, 4G data, to every Somali citizen by 2023. Increasing access to 4G internet is critical to Somalia achieving its goal of becoming a cashless economy. Hormuud’s aim for total 4G expansion in two years is in line with the government’s National ICT Policy which pledges to reach total 4G coverage in Somalia in-between 2024–2025. This expansion project will be carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Telecommunications.
The average Hormuud data user consumes 5GB of data monthly, up from a national average of around 1–2GB a year ago. We predict that this is largely because of the pandemic. As we turn the corner on these trying times, we anticipate data usage to continue to increase. Our network expansion will respond to the growing demand for high-speed internet across the country.
On top of providing an excellent broadband service, we are incredibly proud to offer our customers the lowest data prices in Africa, with 1GB starting at $0.18. In contrast, the same amount of data starts at $1.05 and $2.44 in neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia.
Access to the 4G network is fundamental to Hormuud’s ambitions to provide ‘inclusive and sustainable economic growth’ for Somalis in line with the UN’s SDGs. We are proud to have long played a leading role in bringing Somalis online. This expansion project will help develop our economy and continue to grow our connections with one another.
