Somalia Enacts Landmark Electronic Transactions Law to Modernise Digital Economy
MOGADISHU, October 21, 2026 – The Federal Parliament of Somalia has taken a significant stride towards digital transformation with the approval of the Bill on Electronic Transactions. The legislation, passed by a decisive 137 Members of Parliament in a general session, establishes a crucial legal framework designed to govern and regulate the burgeoning landscape of electronic commerce and digital services within the nation.
Developed by the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Technology in collaboration with relevant government agencies, the bill aims to harmonise Somalia’s legal infrastructure with rapid technological advancements and the increasing demand for digital solutions. This pivotal approval follows a comprehensive legislative process, including multiple readings, extensive discussions, and presentations before its final endorsement.
Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Technology, Mr. Mohamed Adam Macallim (Mohamed Somali), lauded the parliamentary endorsement, expressing gratitude to the Members of Parliament for their overwhelming support. He specifically acknowledged the diligent efforts of the Parliamentary Committee on Posts, Telecommunications and Technology and its staff in shaping the bill to its current form.
Minister Macallim underscored the imperative of a legal framework that keeps pace with global financial services evolution and technological innovation. He highlighted the successful inter-agency and parliamentary cooperation that facilitated the bill’s passage. This legislative development arrives at a critical juncture, as the world increasingly embraces digital payment services, electronic money, and transactions conducted via modern devices.
For Somalia, where mobile money services are extensively utilised by a substantial portion of the population, the establishment of clear regulations for electronic transactions is paramount. This new law is expected to foster economic growth, bolster public confidence in digital services, and cultivate a legal environment conducive to technological progress. The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Technology, in a statement following the vote, emphasised that embracing technological shifts necessitates modern legislation and robust enforcement mechanisms to safeguard citizens’ rights. The Bill on Electronic Transactions is thus positioned as a foundational step in modernising Somalia’s legal system and unlocking the full potential of its digital economy.
