Domain .so - national domain: Somalia

.so domain information

The .so domain is the official country-code top-level extension (ccTLD) for Somalia. Managed by the Somali Network Information Center (SONIC), this extension provides an authentic digital identity for businesses, organizations, and individuals operating in or targeting Somalia and the Horn of Africa. Unrestricted and open globally, it is also widely popular for social platforms, tech startups, and creative domain hacks (e.g., al.so, do.so, make.so).

.so domain–registration rules

From June 9, 2015, the entity managing the .so domain changes. According to the new rules, the registration of new domain names is possible only for those entities that are able to prove a real connection with Somalia (e.g. a company registered in Somalia).

Existing registrations can be continued under the previous rules, then there is no obligation to prove links with Somalia.

Why should I buy a .so domain?

Whether you are establishing a commercial presence in East Africa or building a modern tech project, a .so domain offers clear strategic benefits:

• Local african identity: builds direct trust and recognition among consumers, businesses, and organizations across Somalia and the East African region.

• Popular for tech & social Brands: highly favored by startups, SaaS platforms, and social media tools as an abbreviation for "Social" or "Solutions."

• No local restrictions: open to all individuals, businesses, and international entities worldwide without requiring local presence or complex paperwork.

• Creative domain hacks: perfect for unique word combinations and short, memorable links using words ending in "-so".

• High availability: offers a prime opportunity to secure short, 2-letter or 3-letter brand names and keywords that are long taken under crowded extensions like .com.