Girls in ICT Day 2025 Activities and Highlights

Two-Week Training Program
The training spanned two weeks and offered participants the opportunity to develop
practical skills across 8 targeted courses. The courses covered areas such as Web
Development, Graphic Design, Fiber Optic Communication, Cybersecurity fundamentals,
Computer Networking, Linux operating systems, Amateur radio, and Personal branding
and Career Development in Tech.
Over 900 applications were received from girls nationwide, demonstrating strong
interest and engagement in the ICT fields. After a rigorous selection process, a diverse
group of motivated learners were enrolled.
The training aimed to enhance digital literacy, boost confidence in technical skills, and
inspire participants to pursue careers in ICT.
Feedback indicated increased confidence and enthusiasm for technology careers among
participants.
More than 200 Certificates of completion were awarded to encourage learning and skills
development.
ICT Skills Competition
The competition was designed to encourage the practical application of learned skills,
foster innovation, and promote teamwork.
Girls from various regions competed in challenges tailored to their skill levels, including
coding tasks, project presentations, and problem-solving scenarios.
The competitions identified 3 critical issues facing the Somali society especially women
and encouraged student to find solutions utilizing digital skills, the competition topics
were:
A. Discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in Somalia, particularly on women,
and identify a unique challenge that women and girls in Somalia face that AI can
help solve. Develop an ICT-based solution using one of the following tools: Video,
Website, and App.
B. Discuss the challenges faced by Somali women in accessing digital financial
services and propose an ICT-driven solution to improve financial inclusion. Utilize
one of the following ICT tools: Video, Website, or App.
B. Analyze the impact of social media on Somali youth, particularly girls, and
propose an ICT-based solution to address its challenges or leverage its
opportunities. Utilize one of the following ICT tools: Video, Website, or App.
A total of 140 competition applications were received and through rigorous multiple
competition phases 7 finalists presented their projects during the Girls in ICT Day
conference on the 24th of April.
The event featured live demonstrations and mentorship sessions, with 5 winners
receiving recognition and prizes to motivate continued learning.
Girls in ICT Conference – April 24th
The Girls in ICT Day 2025 was hosted on the 24th of April, the Theme was “Empowering
Girls for a Digital Future”.
The conference was hosted by the National Communications Authority, the National
Telecommunications and Technology Institute and the Simad Innovation Lab.
Over 100 attendees, including students, educators, ICT professionals, policymakers, and
partners.
The conference featured keynote speeches and panel discussions from prominent
national and international figures, including H.E. Mohamed Adan Moallim Ali – Minister
of Communications and Technology, Mr. Mustafa Yassin Sheikh – Director General of the
National Communications Authority, Mr. Ahmed Issse – Deputy General Manger Somtel
Somalia Ltd, Mr. Lionel Laurens – Country Representative for UNDP Somalia; Dr. Ally
Simba – Executive Director of the East African Communications Organization (EACO); and
Ms. Nermine El Saadany – Vice President of the Internet Society’s regional office
The conference also featured dynamic panel discussions and inspiring success stories
from women in ICT. Highlights included a panel titled “Empowering Future Tech Leaders:
Highlighting the Role of STEM Education and Digital Skills in Advancing Somali Girls and
Women,” which explored the transformative power of education in shaping future
leaders. Another powerful session, “Breaking Barriers: Hear from Local Tech Role Models
and Leaders,” showcased personal journeys of Somali women in tech—sharing how they
overcame challenges, launched ventures, and are driving digital innovation in their
communities.
The event fostered networking, mentorship opportunities, and discussions on policies to support girls’ participation in ICT.
Impact and Achievements
The Girls in ICT Day initiative in Somalia has delivered meaningful progress in empowering
young women in the field of technology. Key achievements include:
Increased Awareness and Engagement. There has been a notable rise in awareness and
enthusiasm among girls about pursuing careers in Information and Communication
Technology (ICT), with growing participation across regions.
Skill Development. Participants gained hands-on experience and practical digital skills,
laying a strong foundation for future academic and professional pursuits in the tech
sector.
Strengthened Collaboration. The initiative fostered collaboration between educational
institutions, industry leaders, and government agencies, creating a unified front to
support girls in ICT, 2025 in particular has seen greater participation from the telecom
Industry.

Community Building. A vibrant and supportive network of young women passionate
about ICT has been established, helping to sustain interest and peer learning beyond the
event.
Media Recognition. The event received wide visibility and was featured across multiple
platforms, amplifying its message and showcasing its success to broader audiences,
some of the platforms include: