Today, we had the privilege of jointly launching with the World Bank the findings from Waves 1 and 2 of the Listening to Somalia Survey, alongside Somalia’s pre-launch of the new Mobile Phone Data for Policymaking Initiative. This milestone marks a major shift toward modern, flexible, and citizen-centred evidence systems. As traditional household surveys are conducted only every five years, mobile phone surveys now serve as a powerful alternative to fill the data gaps between these cycles and to provide timely, real-time insights.
Conducted across all 18 pre-war regions, with nearly 3,000 households interviewed in each wave—including about 1,900 repeat households—the Listening Survey has shown that high-quality national data can be collected rapidly, safely, and cost-effectively through mobile phones, reaching rural, nomadic, urban, and displaced populations. The survey captured critical issues including poverty, food insecurity, drought impacts, reductions in social assistance, satisfaction with services, taxation, climate shocks, and the education aspirations of children and youth. While the findings highlight real hardships, they also reveal something powerful—resilience, ambition, and strong hopes for better education, jobs, services, and security, especially among our youth.
Building on this momentum, SNBS is also advancing work on Mobile Phone Data (MPD) with Mobile Network Operators. This initiative represents a major leap forward for Somalia’s digital statistical ecosystem. By using anonymized and aggregated telecom data, we will generate real-time insights on population movements, vulnerability, and the impacts of shocks, strengthening disaster response, shock-responsive social protection, and evidence-based policymaking.
I extend my sincere appreciation to the World Bank, government institutions, and all our partners who joined us for this important launch. Together, we remain committed to building modern, high-quality data systems that elevate citizen voices and guide decisions shaping Somalia’s future.
SNBS & World Bank jointly launched findings of Listening to Somalia Survey – Waves 1 & 2, alongside new Mobile Phone Data for Policymaking initiative. The event brought together senior government officials, World Bank leadership & international partners to discuss how real-time data drives effective national policies.
Listening to Somalia Survey demonstrates the power & efficiency of modern phone-based data collection. Conducted entirely through mobile interviews, the survey captured timely perspectives from households among all regions—without heavy logistical challenges & costs of traditional fieldwork. The results offer a clear, real-time picture of poverty, food insecurity, climate shocks, service delivery & aspirations of Somali families.
Building on this success, pre-launch of new Mobile Phone Data (MPD) initiative at the same event leverages anonymized & aggregated telecom data to produce high-frequency insights for disaster response, population movement & shock-responsive social protection. This partnership strengthens Somalia’s capacity to use innovation & data science in shaping policies that protect vulnerable communities & support long-term development.
SNBS thanks
@WorldBank & all partners for continued collaboration. Today’s launch underpins our resolve to evidence-based decision-making, as well as the role of data in building a more resilient, secure and prosperous Somalia.
@AbdisalamHumbul @abdirahm_omar