Business

British oil tanker hit by Houthi missile off Yemeni coast

Nairobi (Horn Observer) A British oil tanker came under attack on Friday after being struck by a missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels off the coast of Yemen.

Liberia-flagged vessel boarded by pirates off Somalia; concerns mount for crew safety

GAROWE (HORN OBSERVER) – The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has received a report confirming that a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier fell prey to suspected Somali pirates on Thursday, southeast of Eyl, a coastal town in the Nugaal region of Somalia's Puntland State.

Russian entity in collaboration with Somali authorities demand corruption news report taken down

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - Startling revelations have emerged as documents expose the partnership between BPC Smart Vista FZ-LLC, a Russian-owned company under the proprietorship of Anatoly Loginov, and the Somali government in a lawsuit against journalists and a media organisation.

Unsettling wave of attacks targets Hormuud Telecom amidst allegations of rivalry

NAIROBI (HORN OBSERVER) – Abdiwahab Osman Ahmed, an employee at the Hormuud Telecom in Mogadishu was killed after a fatal bombing incident on Saturday in the Huriwa neighbourhoods of the capital.

Chinese Funding Scandal: Somalia court imposes travel ban on president Mohamud's ally

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – On the 13th of December, the Banadir Regional Court imposed a travel ban on a prominent confidant of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after funds from Chinese Embassy went missing, documents revealed.

Somalia's NISA-linked company named exclusive Huawei representative, telecom giants raise concerns

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – Dalkom Somalia, co-owned by the Somali national intelligence and security agency (NISA) director, has been unveiled as the sole representative for Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies Ltd.

Somalia's Charcoal Crisis: Al-Shabaab's looming opportunity

Mogadishu, Somalia (Horn Observer) In a worrisome turn of events, Al-Shabaab, the militant group entrenched in Somalia, is poised to seize upon a golden opportunity following the United Nations Security Council's recent approval of a complete one-off disposal of the nation's charcoal stockpiles…

Report reveals corruption and Russian Oligarchy's connection in Somalia's Central Bank

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – A 62-page document presented by Member of Parliament, Abdullahi Hashi Abib, Chair of the Accountability and Transparent Caucus of the Somali Federal Parliament's House of the People, reveals a web of corruption within the Central Bank of Somalia.

Fluctuating Fortunes: Surge in weapons supply impacts black markets in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia (Horn Observer) As the government under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud initiates a significant offensive against the militant group al-Shabaab, an unintended consequence is beginning to manifest in the form of an influx of weaponry into the black market of Mogadishu.

Somalia orders blocking of TikTok and Telegram following street protests in the capital

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – After a day of street protests that rocked the capital, Mogadishu, the Somali government has unveiled its intention to block access to TikTok and Telegram, two prominent social media platforms widely used for sharing videos and communication.

NCA Somalia and Somali Bureau of Standards Warn Against Importing Unauthorized Telecom Equipment

July 22, 2023 Mogadishu, Somalia – The National Communications Authority (NCA) Somalia notified all communications and technology stakeholders of the regulatory provisions prohibiting importing and investing in telecom equipment without obtaining prior approval from the NCA and Somalia Bureau of Standards…

Massive visa scam and human trafficking operation with links to gov't officials exposed in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – Mogadishu was shaken by a shocking incident on July 8 when a group of individuals stormed the premises of a travel agency located at KM4 junction, accusing the agency, as reported by the media, of orchestrating a large-scale visa scam.

Somalia's Profitable charcoal trade benefits government and Al-Shabaab: Report

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – The lucrative charcoal trade in Somalia serves as a significant source of revenue for both the government and the militant group Al-Shabaab, a new investigation report has revealed.

Somalia's NISA issues warning to local businessmen dealing with al-Shabaab

Mogadishu, Somalia (Horn Observer) – The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has issued a warning to businessmen who were recently summoned by al-Shabaab militant group, according to a statement from the national intelligence.

Hormuud Receives ISO Certification in Information Security Management System

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Hormuud Telecom, Somalia's leading telecommunications company, has been presented with the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 international certificate for Information Security Management System by Bureau Veritas. 

Mogadishu's Spiraling House Rents: Causes, Consequences, and Possible Solutions

Mogadishu is the most populous city in Somalia and, in 2015, ranked second as the fastest-growing city in the world by population after the Indonesian city of Batam. In the 1940s, Mogadishu had a population of around 40,00 people.

Somalia govt officials use private companies as a proxy to launder stolen money, receive kickbacks

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER) Officials within Somalia government are now implicated in a new money laundering scheme and kickbacks going off the radar of the finance ministry and other regulators, current and former government officials have now exposed.

Empowering Account Holders by Giving Them Control of their Payments

Over the past three years, we've seen payments innovation move at a blistering pace. Accelerated digitalisation during the pandemic boosted the adoption of digital and contactless payments around the globe. But we're just at the start of a shift in payments that will ultimately give consumers…

Report: Facing the impacts of climate change, agropastoralists in Africa are taking responsibility for their own development

NAIROBI (HORN OBSERVER) To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in agropastoral communities, investments must facilitate seamless cross-border mobility, diversify skills and livelihood options, and directly strengthen family and socio-cultural bonds.

Germany commits €40 million to African Development Bank Group's Climate Action initiative for fragile African states

SHARM EL-SHEIKH (HORN OBSERVER) Germany has committed €40 million to the African Development Bank Group's Climate Action Window, German State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development Jochen Flasbarth has announced.