INTRODUCTION BY THE MINISTER The world has embraced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as an enabler of social and economic development. Despite years of anarchy, Somalia had a successful ICT sector, providing one of the cost-effective voice and data service in Africa. However, the main challenge hindering the sector progress was the lack of legal, policy and regulatory framework. From 2017, a number of bold initiatives were taken in regulating this important sector. The Communications Law – which has been before the Parliament since 2005 – has been passed and signed by President; a regulator was established; a number of regulations were passed; and local telecom operators were licensed after paying the license fees under the new law for the first time. The ICT Policy and Strategy 2019-2024 is an outcome of extensive consultations and conformations with international best practices. Foremost importance has been given to the views of stakeholders to ensure the element of inclusiveness in the policy. As the first National ICT Policy and Strategy, we aim to realize the vision of government in the making Somalia a regional leader in digital economy. This is an important step in determining the principles and objectives to be achieved by all stakeholders. Furthermore, the document aims at strengthening the central ICT co-ordination and increasing consistency and collaboration among public and private sector. H. E. Eng. Abdi Ashur Hassan Federal Minister of Post, Telecommunications & Technology The vision articulated in the policy is availability of universal, affordable and quality ICT services provided through open, competitive and well-managed markets which can be used by people to the benefit of the economy and society. Finally, I would like to thank the Cabinet for the approval of this policy; Federal Member States for their valuable input during the drafting process; and all other stakeholders for their feedback during the consultation process. I would also like to thank International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for their technical support to this policy. H. E. Eng. Abdi Ashur Hassan Federal Minister of Post, Telecommunications & Technology 5