The UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Government of Somalia, concluded a National Workshop on the Memory of the World (MoW) Programme, held from 7 to 9 June 2026 in Mogadishu, Somalia.
The workshop, made possible with the support of the Government of Japan through the Japan Funds-in-Trust (JFIT) initiative, brought together 25 experts from key memory institutions across Somalia, marking an important step to preserve and provide access to Somalia’s documentary heritage.
Building national capacity for documentary heritage
Participants were drawn from memory institutions across the country including the National Library, Archives, National Commission for UNESCO, Somali Academy of Science, Culture and Arts (SOMASCA), Radio Mogadishu, Somali Language Academy, Somali National Theater, and the Archive Unit of the Office of the President among others. The training introduced them to the history, mission, and governance of the UNESCO MoW Programme, and the nomination process for the International MoW Register.
Our broader objective is to help build a community – a network of committed professionals who will work together for the preservation, accessibility, and promotion of Somalia’s documentary heritage, while connecting that work to a wider global programme dedicated to safeguarding memory for future generations.
Ms. Lea Simonini, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa.
Following the workshop, participants are expected to support the establishment of a National Memory of the World Committee for Somalia, advance nominations to the International MoW Register, and serve as national platform for documentary heritage preservation activities across the country.
Safeguarding Radio Mogadishu Archive
Central to the workshop was Radio Mogadishu Archive, founded in 1951 and widely regarded as one of the most elaborate documentary collections in East Africa. The archive holds approximately 45,000 audio tapes documenting over seven decades of Somali history, politics, culture, language, and society. The collection documents landmark events such as the 1972 literacy campaign, during which Radio Mogadishu served as the primary vehicle for mass education across the largely oral society. Through mass education programmes, mobile teaching units, and the use of radio and printed materials, the campaign dramatically increased literacy rates in a short period of time and helped promote a shared national identity grounded in a common written language.
An expert assessment conducted in April 2026 under the project confirmed the outstanding national and international significance of Radio Mogadishu’s archives while also highlighting urgent need for preservation. While more than 85% of the tapes remain in operable condition, approximately 10% have deteriorated significantly due to age and physical degradation, and more than 5% have been destroyed or critically damaged by fire and other disasters. The archive also lacks a comprehensive cataloguing system, making content retrieval challenging.
In his opening address, the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Abdulfatah Kasim Mohamud, highlighted its profound significance, describing it as “a documentary treasure of immense national importance” and affirming that “the preservation of this archive is not merely a technical responsibility – it is a national duty grounded in protecting our identity, preserving our history, and safeguarding an invaluable heritage for future generations”
Inauguration of improved archive facilities at Radio Mogadishu
The final day of the workshop included a visit to Radio Mogadishu for the inauguration of the improved archival facilities supported under UNESCO’s project Strengthening Disaster Preparedness and Safeguarding Radio Mogadishu Archives, funded by the Government of Japan. The project has since supported the procurement of digitization equipment and the improvement of infrastructure for better preservation. The inauguration marked a tangible and visible milestone in the effort to protect this endangered heritage before irreversible loss occurs.
Africa’s documentary heritage remains significantly underrepresented on the International MoW Register, with only 29 of the 570 inscriptions – just 5% – originating from the continent. Somalia’s engagement with the MoW Programme, and the prospect of nominating Radio Mogadishu Archive, represents an important step towards addressing this imbalance and ensuring that the voices and memories of the Somali people are preserved for generations to come.
