AGP Executive Report

Somalia Tech & Security: Somalia’s government warns WhatsApp’s planned username-based chatting could weaken tracing and anti-scam efforts in a country battling al‑Shabab, urging Meta to resolve the risk. Maritime Tech & Capacity: Somalia’s Navy chief attended an African maritime summit in Morocco, pushing for stronger cooperation against piracy, illegal fishing, and maritime terrorism, with plans to improve training and equipment. Health & Vaccines: UNICEF highlights how “zero-dose” children in conflict-affected places, including Mogadishu, still miss vaccinations—fueling preventable outbreaks. AI & Education: Somalia’s National University in Mogadishu establishes a national AI centre, aiming to grow local research and skills. Regional Science & Labs: The East African Community will launch the Uganda Virus Research Institute as a regional virology hub, strengthening surveillance and diagnostics across member states including Somalia. Energy Research: Türkiye’s Oruç Reis will run seismic surveys in the Eastern Mediterranean for a gas pipeline to Turkish Cyprus, with the vessel previously deployed off Somalia. Climate Impact: Reports describe extreme heat harming camel herders in Ethiopia’s Afar region—an example of how rising temperatures disrupt livelihoods across the Horn.

AI & Education: Somali National University launched the Somali National Artificial Intelligence Centre (SNAIC) in Mogadishu to drive AI research, training, and locally built software/data services for digital transformation. Maritime Security: Somalia’s Navy chief attended the African Maritime Forces Summit in Morocco, highlighting efforts against piracy, illegal fishing, and extremist threats, with a push for stronger regional naval cooperation. Cybersecurity & Terror Response: Somalia told the BBC it’s concerned about WhatsApp’s move to username-based chats, warning it could weaken tracing and increase fraud risk in a country reliant on mobile money. Health & Regional Labs: The East African Community will launch the Uganda Virus Research Institute as a regional virology center in Entebbe, boosting surveillance, diagnostics, and training across member states including Somalia. Islamic Education Policy: Somalia’s Prime Minister attended graduation for master’s students in Islamic preaching and judiciary studies and reiterated a national policy to regulate Islamic education. Tech/Science in the Region: EAC member states discussed monetary convergence in Kampala, while broader coverage also flagged measles health risks and satellite-linked monsoon rain patterns.

Cybersecurity & Finance: Somalia’s communications minister warned the BBC that WhatsApp’s planned username-based chats could weaken anti-terror tracing and increase fraud risk in a country where mobile money is central. AI & Education: Somali National University launched the Somali National Artificial Intelligence Centre in Mogadishu to drive AI research, training, and locally built software and data services. Islamic Education Policy: Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre attended the graduation of the first master’s cohort in Islamic preaching and judiciary studies and said Somalia has established a national policy to regulate Islamic education and harmonize institutions. Regional Health Tech: The East African Community will launch the Uganda Virus Research Institute as a regional virology center to strengthen surveillance, diagnostics, and lab training across member states including Somalia. Public Health Alert: Reports highlight measles resurgence risks, including a case where an unvaccinated child traveling to Somalia contracted measles and suffered severe complications. Regional Security & Trade: A tanker hijacked by suspected Somali pirates off Yemen was moved to waters off Puntland, underscoring ongoing maritime threats. EAC Monetary Talks: East African central banks met in Kampala to discuss convergence criteria, macroeconomic policy, and climate-related financial issues, with Somalia among participants.

AI & Education: Somali National University has launched the Somali National Artificial Intelligence Centre (SNAIC) in Mogadishu to boost AI research, training, and locally driven software/data services for Somalia’s needs. Digital Heritage: Somalia is racing to digitise Radio Mogadishu’s fading archive—about 400,000 hours of broadcasts—before magnetic tapes deteriorate, to preserve Somali language history and culture. Public Health: Experts warn of measles risks after a case story shows how an unvaccinated baby traveling to Somalia contracted measles and needed intensive care on return. Regional Health Security: The East African Community will launch the Uganda Virus Research Institute as a regional virology center for surveillance, diagnostics, training, and knowledge sharing across member states including Somalia. Maritime Security: Kenyan authorities seized over 1,000 kg of methamphetamine from an unregistered dhow, highlighting how East Africa’s coast is being used for manufactured drug entry into local markets. Health & Industry: Kenya pushes pharmaceutical manufacturing as a regional hub, with diplomats touring Square Pharmaceuticals’ GMP facility and discussing technology transfer and trade—relevant to Somalia’s access to medicines.

AI for Somalia: Somali National University launched the Somali National Artificial Intelligence Centre (SNAIC) in Mogadishu to drive AI research, education, innovation, and local software/data services for national needs. Public Health Tech & Safety: A Minnesota family returning from Somalia brought measles home after a 9-month-old missed an MMR dose; the child spent 15 days on a ventilator, highlighting how fast outbreaks can spread via travel. Regional Virology Capacity: The East African Community will launch Uganda Virus Research Institute as a regional virology center of excellence, boosting surveillance, diagnostics, lab training, and knowledge sharing across EAC states including Somalia. Digital Heritage Preservation: Somalia’s Radio Mogadishu is digitizing roughly 400,000 hours of old broadcasts before tapes degrade, aiming to unlock decades of Somali language music, culture, and history. Energy & Climate Tech: Ethiopia’s Aysha wind project advanced with AfDB financing for a 300MW wind farm, a clean-energy step that could strengthen the regional grid. Maritime Security: A Yemen-flagged tanker was hijacked by suspected Somali pirates and moved near Puntland, underscoring ongoing risks on key shipping routes. Tech-enabled Commerce: Package-forwarding firms are helping Africans shop online without bank cards or street addresses, using mobile money and GPS delivery to reach customers.

AI & Education: Somali National University has launched the Somali National Artificial Intelligence Centre in Mogadishu, aiming to grow local AI research, software, and data services for national development. Digital Heritage: Somalia is racing to digitise Radio Mogadishu’s fading reel-to-reel archive—hundreds of thousands of hours of broadcasts that hold decades of Somali culture and history. Health & Public Service Tech: Garissa (Kenya) is set to benefit from World Bank-backed essential services projects, including water supply, new dispensaries, and lab facilities—showing how infrastructure can directly strengthen healthcare delivery. Maritime Security: A Yemen-to-Somalia tanker (MT ASANA) has been hijacked by suspected Somali pirates, with the vessel moved toward Puntland waters. Climate Risk: El Niño is strengthening and could hit Kenya, Uganda, and Somalia among other regions with heat, drought, and floods—raising pressure on food and safety systems. Energy & Power: Ethiopia’s Aysha wind project has advanced with AfDB financing, a clean-energy push that could improve grid stability across the wider Horn.

Somalia Tech & Culture: Somalia’s Radio Mogadishu is racing to digitise about 400,000 hours of aging reel-to-reel broadcasts before magnetic tapes deteriorate, aiming to preserve and eventually open up decades of Somali music, news and culture. Maritime Security: A Yemen-flagged tanker (MT ASANA) was hijacked by suspected Somali pirates off Yemen and moved near Puntland’s Bari region, highlighting how Red Sea trade routes remain vulnerable. Regional Tech/Industry: Kenya pushes to become a regional pharmaceutical manufacturing hub, with diplomats touring Square Pharmaceuticals’ Athi River plant and discussing investment, technology transfer and reduced medicine imports. Climate & Preparedness: Experts warn El Niño is strengthening and could bring extreme heat, floods and droughts, with Somalia among the most at-risk. Health & Safety: The US updated “Do Not Travel” advisories, listing Somalia among the highest-risk destinations, while experts also flag rising health risks tied to extreme weather and outbreaks.

Maritime Security: A Tanzanian-flagged tanker (MT ASANA) was hijacked by suspected Somali pirates off Yemen and moved to waters off Puntland, raising alarms as incidents spike around the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea routes. Somalia Tech & Culture: Somalia is racing to digitise Radio Mogadishu’s fading archive—about 400,000 hours of broadcasts—before reels deteriorate, to preserve Somali language music, culture and history. Health & Climate Risk: Experts warn El Niño is strengthening and could hit Kenya, Uganda and Somalia with extreme heat, droughts and floods, threatening food security and safety. Energy & Infrastructure: Ethiopia’s Aysha wind project advances after AfDB approved up to $110m for a 300MW farm, boosting clean power near the Somali Region. Pharma Manufacturing: Kenya pushes to become a regional pharmaceutical hub; Square Pharmaceuticals hosted diplomats including Somalia’s envoy to showcase local production and technology transfer. Regional Security Funding: UN officials warn a potential shutdown of UNSOS logistics support could force AU peacekeepers home and weaken Somalia’s fight against al-Shabaab.

Somalia Peace Mission Under Pressure: UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) may shut down after US funding opposition, threatening logistics for AU forces fighting Al-Shabaab and raising fears of mission collapse by end-2026. Horn of Africa De-escalation Urgent: Analysts warn overlapping wars in Sudan and Ethiopia are entangling regional rivalries with Middle East powers, making rapid diplomacy critical. AI & Security in the Region: A US Army psychological operations unit is being stood up for Africa, while separate reporting highlights how AI is being used to gain an edge in conflict. Tech for Health & Industry (Somalia-relevant region): Kenya’s Square Pharmaceuticals expands as a regional pharma hub, signaling more medicine manufacturing and potential tech transfer across East Africa. Climate Risk for Somalia: El Niño preparations are urged as extreme heat, floods and droughts are forecast to hit Somalia and neighbors hard, threatening food and health systems. Trade & Connectivity: Package-forwarding services are helping Africans shop online without bank cards or street addresses, using GPS delivery and mobile money.

Somalia Security: UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) could be shut down after Dec 31 if US funding opposition blocks renewal, threatening AU peacekeeping logistics and the fight against Al-Shabaab. Climate & Food Tech: Experts warn El Niño is strengthening fast and could hit Kenya, Uganda and Somalia with heat, floods and drought, pushing food and health systems toward another shock. Energy & Clean Power: AfDB approved up to $110m for Ethiopia’s 300MW Aysha wind project, a major grid boost near the Djibouti border. Digital Trade: The East African Community is pushing safer cross-border e-commerce by sharing legal and regulatory best practices to build consumer trust. Pharma & Manufacturing: Square Pharmaceuticals Kenya EPZ hosted diplomats from Somalia and others, highlighting $75m+ investment and regional medicine production capacity. AI & Defense: Reporting says the US military’s AI program Project Maven has been supporting operations tied to recent Iran-related actions. Maritime Risk: Analysts flag Bab el-Mandeb as a potential flashpoint, with claims of possible Houthi-aligned pressure affecting the Horn and Red Sea shipping. Health Systems: A Somalia-focused commentary highlights gaps in pharmacy education and regulation after years of conflict.

Climate & Food Security: The UN’s WMO says El Niño is strengthening fast, with heatwaves, floods and droughts expected to hit Kenya, Uganda and Somalia among others—raising fears of another major food and health shock. Clean Energy: Ethiopia’s Aysha 300MW wind project just cleared a major funding step with $110m approved by the AfDB and partners, aiming to expand the Somali Region’s power supply near the Djibouti border. Somalia Tech & Research: Somali National University launched the Somali National Artificial Intelligence Centre, a new push for local AI capacity. Digital Trust: East Africa’s EAC is working on cross-border e-commerce rules to make online shopping safer and more reliable across the region. Public Health: A measles case tied to travel to Somalia shows how vaccine gaps can quickly turn into severe outbreaks. Security & Tech Use: Reports say jihadists are using AI to gain an edge, while the US military continues expanding AI-enabled operations. Regional Trade Risk: Analysts warn the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could become a bigger flashpoint for global shipping, with knock-on effects for the Horn of Africa.

Somalia AI Boost: Somali National University launches the Somali National Artificial Intelligence Centre (SNAIC) in Mogadishu to drive AI research, training, policy, and real-world projects in health, education, agriculture, governance, and ethics. Digital Trust for Trade: The East African Community pushes safer cross-border e-commerce by sharing legal and regulatory best practices to strengthen consumer confidence and online business reliability. Agriculture Tech: A FAO webinar highlights how digital tools can modernize seed certification and traceability, supporting access to quality, climate-resilient seed in Somalia and the region. Livestock Economy: African leaders back a plan to grow intra-African pastoral livestock trade under AfCFTA, calling for livestock corridors, animal health systems, water infrastructure, and harmonized cross-border rules—Somalia included. Health Warning: Measles cases and vaccine misinformation remain a threat, with a reported severe outbreak affecting a Somali family after travel. Security & Trade Risk: Reports say Iran-linked Houthis may target Red Sea routes like Bab al-Mandeb, with possible spillover toward Somalia-linked networks. Regional Climate Pressure: El Niño impacts are flagged as a major risk for the Greater Horn, worsening food and livelihood stress across Somalia and neighbors.

AI for Somalia: Somali National University launched the Somali National Artificial Intelligence Centre (SNAIC) to drive AI research, training, and locally built solutions across education, healthcare, agriculture, governance, and more. Digital Trust in East Africa: The EAC says cross-border online shopping could become safer and more reliable after a knowledge-exchange mission to improve legal and regulatory rules for e-commerce and consumer protection. Public Health & Vaccines: A measles case linked to travel to Somalia shows how vaccine misinformation can turn into severe illness, with a Minnesota infant reportedly needing intensive care after infection. Climate Risk for the Horn: UN-linked forecasts warn El Niño could hit Somalia and neighbors hard, with calls for early funding to boost resilience as food and fertilizer pressures rise. Security Tech & Training: Africom plans a new Morocco center for drone and emerging tech testing to help African partners counter terrorism, with Somalia cited among active threat areas. Somalia State-Building: Analysts warn Somalia’s electoral and constitutional disputes—especially direct election plans—could deepen tensions between federal and regional authorities.

AI for Somalia: Somali National University launched the Somali National Artificial Intelligence Centre (SNAIC) to drive AI research, training, innovation, and policy—targeting practical work in education, healthcare, agriculture, governance, and digital transformation. Climate & health risk: Kenya may receive up to Sh13bn from a UN El Niño emergency fund to boost resilience ahead of heavy rains, with Somalia also listed among high-risk climate-shock countries. Public health warning: A measles case tied to travel to Somalia shows how vaccine gaps and misinformation can lead to severe illness, including ICU-level complications. Tech-enabled commerce: Reuters reports how African shoppers are using satellite-style logistics and mobile money through package-forwarding services to buy from global brands despite address and banking barriers. Aviation & conflict links: A Reuters investigation says aircraft tied to a former US special forces veteran flew routes connecting Somalia’s Bosaso with Sudan and Libya hubs used by the RSF. Somalia governance pressure: Analysts warn Somalia’s electoral and constitutional reforms need a sequenced transition to reduce elite-driven instability. Security tech training: Africom plans a Morocco center for counterterrorism training and technology testing, including drones and emerging systems.

AI & Education: Somali National University launched the Somali National Artificial Intelligence Centre (SNAIC) in Mogadishu to boost AI research, training, and locally driven solutions across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, governance, and education. Public Health: A measles outbreak linked to a Somali trip sent a 9-month-old boy to a Minnesota ventilator for 15 days, highlighting how vaccine delays and misinformation can turn travel into severe disease spread. Digital Agriculture: FAO hosted a webinar on using digital tools to strengthen Africa’s seed systems, including better seed certification, traceability, and quality assurance—supported by a Somalia-involved emergency preparedness project. Security Tech & Training: Africom and Morocco plan a tech-focused counterterrorism training and experimentation center (AMTEC) with drone and emerging systems testing, aiming to help partners tackle terrorism. E-commerce Logistics: Reuters reports how African shoppers are buying from Amazon and Walmart via package-forwarding services that use GPS delivery and mobile money to bypass missing addresses and limited banking. Regional Tech-Policy Watch: Somalia’s OIC women’s conference sidelines included bilateral talks to expand cooperation on family development, human rights, and women’s empowerment. Health Systems Research: A narrative review flags antimicrobial resistance in Somalia as a growing crisis tied to fragile healthcare gaps and weak policy response.

Power & Grid Tech: A new market report says the global recloser market is set to hit about $5.14B by 2035, driven by grid modernization and distribution automation—key for reducing outages across Africa. Security Training: Africom and Morocco plan a tech-focused counterterrorism training and experimentation center in Tan-Tan, including a drone academy and low-cost scalable systems by 2030. Somalia Diplomacy: Somalia’s Family and Human Rights minister met OIC officials in Islamabad to expand cooperation on family development, human rights, women’s empowerment, and public service improvement. Human Rights Cooperation: Somalia and Pakistan also discussed deeper human-rights collaboration, including technical training, research, and institutional capacity building. Red Sea Tech & Strategy: Analysis highlights how Red Sea competition is pulling Somalia, Somaliland, and nearby states into a wider Middle East tech-and-security arena via ports, energy deals, and military ties. E-commerce Logistics: A Reuters report shows how African shoppers use package-forwarding services with GPS delivery to bypass missing addresses and limited banking—an approach relevant to Somalia’s last-mile challenges. Health & Climate: CARE warns super El Niño could hit women hardest, with Somalia among countries facing heavier rainfall risks. Public Safety & Justice: A global prison ranking notes Somalia has one of the lowest incarceration rates worldwide (16 per 100,000), alongside Yemen.