Telecom companies shape urban speculation in Mogadishu

What the study found: Telecommunications companies in Mogadishu are playing a central role in urban speculation, including efforts aimed at both global and local audiences. The authors say these companies are not only shaping ideas about the city's future but are also taking material steps to produce those futures.
Why the authors say this matters: The authors conclude that telecoms are engaged in the performative work of both market-making and world-making, and that they enroll diaspora capital toward bold urban imaginaries. They also suggest that telecoms across Africa are growing in wealth and scope, so their role in urban processes needs empirical and conceptual attention.
What the researchers tested: The paper examines the role of telecommunications companies in urban land development in Mogadishu over the past 15 years, focusing on Hormuud Telecommunications Company and affiliated companies. It looks at their activities in financing, construction, technical training, electricity provision, and transnational money transfer, with Darul Salaam as a key case.
What worked and what didn't: The study argues that telecoms are deeply involved in generating and materially producing urban futures, rather than only promoting them rhetorically. This is most apparent, according to the authors, in Darul Salaam, the new city being developed for diaspora and local elites on the periphery of Mogadishu.
What to keep in mind: The abstract focuses on Mogadishu and its specific post-collapse, reconstruction context. It does not provide detailed limitations in the available summary.

Key points

• Telecommunications companies are described as central actors in urban speculation in Mogadishu.
• Hormuud Telecommunications Company and affiliated firms are the main focus of the study.
• The paper highlights financing, construction, training, electricity provision, and money transfer as part of these companies' activities.
• Darul Salaam is presented as the clearest example of telecom involvement in building a new city for diaspora and local elites.
• The authors argue that telecoms participate in market-making and world-making.