Somaliland, a self-declared independent state in the northwestern region of Somalia, is characterised by a mountainous terrain, with the coastal plains in the north and the central plateau towards the south. The population of about 6 million is unevenly distributed, heavily concentrated in the urban areas of Hargeisa and Burao. Technology and telecoms sectors are in a developing state, with Telesom, Somtel, and Somcable being key players. These companies have spearheaded unique, low-cost mobile money services, which have achieved high penetration rates. However, the country's infrastructure remains underdeveloped, with a lack of reliable electricity posing significant challenges.
Mobile Network Operators
The are 3 companies operating mobile networks in this region.
SO! Somcable is a private telecommunications company based in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. The company was founded in 2010 by local businessman Mohamed Aw Said. Notably, in 2015, SO! Somcable distinguished itself as the first service provider to offer a fibre optic network in Somaliland, a significant milestone in the region's telecommunications industry. The network spans more than 1700 km, demonstrating the company's substantial reach within the region.
Somtel (سومتيل) is a mobile network operator servicing Somaliland. The company was founded in 1998 and is a publicly traded company registered in the British Virgin Islands, with majority ownership held by UAE-based MTO Dahabshiil (approx. 95%) since 2008. Somtel is headquartered in Hargisa.
