For many people, the phrase open source still brings to mind software developers sharing code on the internet. It is often associated with free software, volunteer communities, or programming projects.
But after participating in the United Nations Open Source Week 2026 at the UN Headquarters in New York, it became clear that the global conversation has moved far beyond that.
Governments, United Nations agencies, universities, technology companies, researchers, and open source communities were not discussing open source simply as a way to build software. Increasingly, they were discussing it as part of the national digital strategy.
The focus was no longer on whether governments should use open source. Instead, the conversation centered on how open technologies can support Digital Public Infrastructure, digital sovereignty, interoperability, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, institutional capacity, and long-term digital resilience.
For countries that are still building their digital foundations, including Somalia, this shift deserves attention.
A Different Conversation
One observation stood out throughout the week.
Across different sessions, countries with very different levels of digital maturity often returned to similar themes.
Whether the discussion involved artificial intelligence, digital identity, public services, or cybersecurity, speakers repeatedly emphasized that successful digital transformation depends on strong institutions, collaboration, open standards, and long-term governance.
Open source was presented as one of the tools that can help governments achieve those objectives
But because it allows institutions to collaborate, adapt technology to local needs, reduce dependency on single vendors, and build digital systems that can evolve over time.
This represents an important shift in how many governments are approaching digital transformation.
Countries Are Building Institutions, not just software; several countries shared practical experiences during the week.
Morocco discussed investments in digital governance, interoperability, cybersecurity, and modern public services as part of its national digital strategy.
Sierra Leone highlighted efforts to strengthen foundational digital infrastructure and improve coordination across public institutions.
Japan demonstrated how decades of collaboration between government, universities, industry, and open source communities have contributed to sustained innovation and institutional capacity.
Within East Africa, Kenya shared its ongoing work toward establishing a Government Open Source Program Office (OSPO). Rather than focusing only on software adoption, the initiative aims to strengthen how the government coordinates, manages, and supports open source across public institutions.
Although each country has followed its own path, they all reflected a common idea.
Open source is increasingly becoming part of how governments think about long-term digital capability rather than individual technology projects.
What Does This Mean for Somalia?
Somalia is at an important stage in its digital transformation.
The country has introduced several initiatives in recent years, including the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), expanding digital government services, strengthening digital connectivity, and improving public institutions through the National Transformation Plan (2025–2029).
The National Transformation Plan places significant emphasis on institutional reform, public sector modernization, technology, improved service delivery, investment, and long-term national transformation.
While the plan does not prescribe open source as a national implementation strategy, many of its objectives align with themes that were repeatedly discussed during UN Open Source Week.
Building a digital government requires more than purchasing technology.
These are the same principles that many countries discussed throughout the week.
Somalia Already Has Building Blocks
Somalia is not starting from zero. Government institutions are continuing to expand digital services. Universities are producing software engineers and technology graduates each year.
The Ministry of Communications and Technology continues to support national digital initiatives.
Local technology companies and startups are developing solutions across finance, education, logistics, healthcare, and public services.
Technology communities are also growing, creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing.These developments provide important building blocks.
The next challenge is ensuring that these efforts become increasingly connected rather than developing as isolated projects.
Open Source Is About Capacity, Not Cost
One misconception still appears in many discussions. Open source is sometimes viewed only as a way to reduce software licensing costs. That perspective overlooks its broader value.
Throughout the week, governments spoke more about building internal capability than reducing procurement expenses.
Using open technologies can help institutions develop local expertise, encourage collaboration between government and universities, strengthen transparency, and reduce long-term dependence on individual technology vendors.
These outcomes depend on governance, investment, and skilled people rather than software alone.
Open source should therefore be understood as part of a broader institutional strategy rather than simply a procurement decision.
An Opportunity to Learn
Every country represented during UN Open Source Week has developed its own approach. There is no universal model. Somalia does not need to replicate another country’s strategy.
However, there is value in learning from international experiences while designing solutions that reflect Somalia’s own priorities, institutions, and development context.
As the National Transformation Plan moves from planning to implementation, conversations around interoperability, institutional coordination, local technical capacity, and sustainable digital infrastructure are likely to become increasingly important. These are precisely the areas where global collaboration can provide useful lessons.
Looking ahead, the world is changing the way it thinks about open source.
Increasingly, governments are treating it as part of a broader conversation about national digital capability, Digital Public Infrastructure, institutional resilience, and digital sovereignty.
The question is no longer whether governments will use open source. Increasingly, the question is how governments organize themselves to adopt, govern, contribute to, and sustain open technologies over the long term.
For Somalia, this is an opportunity to be part of that conversation. Not by following every global trend, but by learning from international experience while building digital institutions that reflect the country’s own priorities, strengthen public services, and support long-term national development.
Hassan Mohamed is the Founder of Oshen, a digital infrastructure company focused on Digital Public Infrastructure, digital trust, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. In 2026, he participated in the United Nations Open Source Week in New York, where he engaged with governments, United Nations agencies, researchers, and technology leaders on the future of open source and digital public infrastructure.