Mogadishu, 09 June 2026 – The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Abdulfatah Kasim Mohamud, today officially launched the rehabilitation and refurbishment of the Radio Mogadishu Archive as part of ongoing efforts to accelerate the preservation and modernization of Somalia’s historic audio heritage.
The Minister was accompanied at the launch by the Deputy Minister of Information, the Director General of the Ministry, the Director of Radio Mogadishu, and other officials, who toured various sections of the archive and inspected the restored equipment used for digitizing historical audio tapes.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Radio Mogadishu – Voice of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mr. Abdulfatah Dahir Jayte, provided an overview of the stages of rehabilitation and modernization undertaken for the vast Radio Mogadishu Archive. He expressed hope that this initiative would mark the beginning of the most comprehensive modernization effort for the archive, noting the Ministry’s strong commitment to transforming the collection into a fully digital archive.
The Minister stated that the rehabilitation and refurbishment represent an important first step in a broader initiative by the Ministry to modernize the Radio Mogadishu Archive, safeguard, and preserve thousands of tapes carrying Somalia’s history, culture, and national memory.
The Minister also commended Radio Mogadishu staff and archive personnel for their dedication and encouraged them to further intensify efforts to modernize the archived recordings, ensuring that future generations can benefit from this invaluable national heritage.
Furthermore, the Minister expressed appreciation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Government of Japan-funded JFIT Programme for supporting the Memory of the World Programme, the assessment report of the Radio Mogadishu Archive, and the rehabilitation of archive equipment and machinery.
The Minister noted that while the repaired machines represent a promising beginning, they remain insufficient for the vast scale of the historical archive and the urgent preservation needs of thousands of tapes. He emphasized the importance of broader support from the Somali public, UNESCO, and international partners to contribute to the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to improve access to archival content and accelerate the digitization of long-preserved recordings that remain at risk of deterioration and permanent loss.
The Radio Mogadishu Archive is the largest repository of Somalia’s recorded history, dating back to 1951. The Ministry continues to advance efforts aimed at accelerating the digitization and modernization of these invaluable historical recordings.
