BBC Somali live
BBC Somali at a glance
About BBC Somali
BBC Somali is the Somali-language service of the BBC World Service, bringing news, current affairs and programmes to Somali speakers in the Horn of Africa and the global Somali diaspora, including the large Somali community in the United Kingdom. It is one of the most trusted sources of news for Somali audiences around the world. On this page you can listen to BBC Somali live online for free.
Broadcasting in Somali since 1957
The BBC Somali Service was established on 18 July 1957, with two short weekly programmes. Its first broadcaster was Haji Abdi Dualleh, who joined from Radio Hargeisa. By September 1958 it was broadcasting daily, and over the decades it grew into one of the BBC's most influential language services. Through periods of conflict and change in Somalia, it has remained an important source of reliable information for millions of listeners. Today the service is based at Broadcasting House in London and in Hargeisa, where much of its radio and digital operation takes place.
What you will hear
BBC Somali broadcasts several radio programmes every day, including half-hour bulletins and a longer one-hour programme. They cover news from Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya, as well as world news and stories affecting Somali communities abroad. Programmes include interviews, reports from correspondents, analysis of politics and security, and features on health, education, culture, sport and everyday life. The service is also active online and on social media, sharing video and articles in Somali.
How to listen to BBC Somali
In East Africa, BBC Somali can be heard on FM and short wave in many areas, and worldwide it is available online and on the BBC website and apps. The simplest way is to press play above, and the BBC Somali stream starts straight away on your phone, tablet or computer when programmes are on air. If you are interested in international news, you may also enjoy BBC World Service in English and BBC Radio 4, both on our site.
For trusted news in the Somali language, wherever you live, BBC Somali has been a reliable voice for more than six decades.
- 100% free, no sign-up
- Live stream, 24 hours a day
- Listen from anywhere
- Works on phone and computer
How to listen to BBC Somali live
In 3 simple steps, with nothing to install.
- 01Press play
Click the "Listen live" button at the top of this page.
- 02Wait a moment
The live stream starts loading within a few seconds.
- 03Enjoy
BBC Somali plays right in your browser, with nothing to install.
Talk
Talk radio is the UK’s home of opinion and conversation: phone-ins, interviews and live debate on the stories everyone is talking about.
Frequently asked questions
The BBC Somali Service was established on 18 July 1957.
BBC Somali is based at Broadcasting House in London and in Hargeisa.
Press play at the top of this page to listen to BBC Somali online for free. In East Africa it is also on FM and short wave in many areas.
BBC Somali broadcasts news, current affairs, interviews and features in Somali, covering the Horn of Africa, the diaspora and world news.
Yes. You can listen to BBC Somali live for free here on UK Radio Stations, 24 hours a day.
Yes. BBC Somali plays in your phone’s browser on Android or iPhone — there is no app to install. Just open this page and press play.
Yes. Connect your phone to the car stereo by Bluetooth or cable, open BBC Somali here on UK Radio Stations and enjoy the live stream on the road.
If the stream does not load, wait a few seconds and press play again — some streams take a moment to connect. You can also refresh the page or try another Talk station meanwhile. UK Radio Stations checks every stream automatically.