(Ecofin Agency) - Somalia will soon launch the construction of its first National Innovation Center (SO NICE), Abdi Ashur Hassan (photo), the minister of posts, Telecommunications and technology, indicates. The infrastructure will help create an innovative digital ecosystem in the country and boost the advent of the digital economy.

The centre will be installed in the headquarters of former incumbent operators. Once the building is renovated, it will host the necessary equipment to let youth with innovative IT projects receive all the support they need.

The minister added that the government was determined to facilitate the creation of innovation poles in all the federal states and transform the country into an information society and prepare citizens for the digital economy.

In the past two years, with the help of the World Bank, Somalia has created a legal and political framework for the IT sector. “Once the law and policies are fully implemented, we hope competition will encourage innovation that will create jobs for the youth," the minister added.