A technology firm established in Mogadishu nearly two decades ago is set to take its digital solutions to a regional stage after winning Somalia’s 2026 National Quality Award, earning an opportunity to compete at the East African Quality Awards in Kigali, Rwanda.
Tabaarak ICT Solutions, which has operated in Somalia since 2007, is expected to represent the country in the information and communications technology (ICT) category for medium-sized enterprises at the regional competition scheduled for November 2.
The recognition marks a significant milestone for the firm, whose work spans website development, business software, mobile applications, enterprise resource planning systems and digital transformation services.
The national recognition followed a selection process overseen by the Somali Bureau of Standards, which organised the Quality Night ceremony to recognise public and private institutions demonstrating quality in their operations and services.
Ahmed Hasan Mohamed Balack, Deputy Director of the National Quality Institute, said Tabaarak ICT had followed the procedures established under the East African Community framework.
Balack explained that the application process required the company to prepare extensive documentation demonstrating how it met the prescribed criteria. The application reportedly ran to approximately 20 pages, with the assessment and preparation process taking two to three weeks.
He said the process was intended to establish whether participating institutions met the requirements for advancing to the regional competition.
“It is a pleasure that a panel was convened, and that they will take part in the Kigali competition as a qualified entrant, representing Somalia in the ICT category,” Balack said, wishing the firm success in Rwanda.
The process reflects the role of national standards institutions in identifying eligible entrants before they proceed to regional-level assessment.
The East African Community’s Regional Quality Awards framework is designed to recognise enterprises demonstrating quality management, compliance with standards, innovation and continuous improvement. The regional programme also seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of businesses and build confidence in products and services originating from the region.
Digital systems
Tabaarak ICT’s operations extend beyond conventional IT support, with the firm providing software and integrated systems designed to help organisations manage their activities digitally.
Its services include website design, enterprise software, mobile application development, systems integration and technical support. These services support businesses and institutions seeking to move away from manual processes towards technology-based operations.
One of its most prominent areas of work is digital government, where it has developed systems for local administrations since 2021.
The platforms reportedly support functions beyond revenue collection, extending to human resource management, expenditure tracking and budget administration.
Among the administrations using the systems are the Banadir Regional Administration and the district administrations of Baidoa and Galkayo.
Integrating these functions into digital platforms can help public institutions organise records, monitor expenditure and coordinate administrative processes. The extent of the benefits, however, depends on implementation, data quality, staff capacity and how consistently the systems are used.
Transformation agenda
Somalia’s technology sector includes businesses working across telecommunications, software development, digital payments and public-service systems. As institutions increasingly rely on digital tools, providers are being called upon to deliver solutions that are not only functional but also secure, dependable and sustainable.
For Tabaarak ICT, the national award would represent recognition of its quality processes, while the regional competition would provide a further opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities.
The company’s work with local administrations also illustrates how Somali technology providers can participate in the digitisation of government operations, an area that requires sustained investment in infrastructure, skills, cybersecurity and institutional capacity.
The next milestone, if its qualification is confirmed, will be the East African Quality Awards in Kigali on November 2, where the firm is expected to represent Somalia in the ICT category for medium-sized enterprises.