About SomNOG
The Somali Network Operators’ Group (SomNOG) is a forum for Somali networking professionals to develop technical capacities, share experiences and collaborate on developing expertise and competency through training and research in networking and Internet technologies. SomNOG is a non-profit organization that is run by volunteers which aims to contribute to the growing Eco-system of Internet service providers and consumers by building relevant technology expertise. The platform provided by the organization will enable a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Participation in SomNOG’s activities is open to anyone interested in sharing their experiences and technical knowledge or learning from others.
The 4th SomNOG Annual Conference on Internet Technologies will be held on October 24-25 2019 in Mogadishu, Somalia. SomNOG4 Conference aims to address the Internet technologies under the main theme of “Digital Somalia: Laying the Foundations for the Next Economy“.

Call for Abstracts and Presentations

SomNOG invites qualified professionals, academics and researchers to contribute to this premier event. Interested contributors may send an email to the conference’s email address or submit online their abstracts and/or presentations. 20 presentations will be selected based on the innovativeness of the concepts and relevance to the theme of the conference. Below are suggested topics under the four sub-themes for reference and should not be considered as a definitive, comprehensive list:

Sub-theme 1: Critical infrastructure for a digitally-transformed society

  • Network infrastructure development
  • ICT infrastructure financing
  • Internet access and service coverage
  • Challenges to infrastructure deployments faced by operators and service providers
  • Internet infrastructure developments in Somalia (fiber optic deployments, Internet upstream providers and landing stations, etc.)
  • Somali Internet traffic routes
  • The prospects of Internet infrastructure in Somalia
  • Internet security and the cost of going digital

 

Sub-theme 2: Skills and human capital as the foundations for a digital economy

  • Digital skill gaps and opportunities for development
  • Ideas for improving digital skills in the country
  • The role of the universities and professional communities in bridging the skill gaps
  • Human development indicators relevant to digital economy
  • Problem based learning and skill based learning at the Somali universities
  • The potential of digital literacy initiatives to drive the digital economy

Sub-theme 3: Effective policy-making and the role of partnerships in building our digital economy

  • Effective policy development and digital economy
  • PPP approaches to build the foundations for the digital economy
  • The telecommunications competitive landscape and opportunities for collaboration
  • Measuring the impact of the telecommunications act two years after its passing
  • Policy amendment proposals for nurturing the digital economy
  • Professional associations and unions

Sub-theme 4: Innovation and new service delivery models in the public and private sector

  • eGovernment ideas for public service delivery
  • Innovative digital business models relevant to the Somali context
  • Innovation in the public sector
  • Innovation in the private sector
  • Digital transformation case studies in the ICT, education, research, governance, retail and other sectors

IMPORTANT DATES

  • August 24 : Publishing call for Paper/Presentation
  • October 05 : Paper submission deadline
  • October 10 : Paper acceptance notification
  • October 11-15 : Full Conference Paper; Speaker registration
  • October 24-25 : Conference Days

You can send your papers by email at  papers@somnog.so or by filling the Call for paper application