Hiiraan Online

Mogadishu (HOL) — Nearly half of Somalia’s population remains without access to electricity, a shortage that continues to hinder the country’s development and economic recovery, Energy and Water Resources Minister Abdullahi Bidhan Warsame said Wednesday.

Speaking at the opening of the Somalia Energy Summit (BGS25) in Mogadishu, Bidhan revealed that 49 percent of Somalis have no access to power, while those connected to local grids often receive limited and unreliable service. “On average, Somalis have access to about six hours of electricity per day,” he said, describing the situation as a major barrier to progress. The minister urged increased private-sector participation to accelerate the expansion of affordable, sustainable power nationwide.

The minister added that the government is working to expand access to reliable, affordable electricity by investing in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. “Somalia is determined to build an energy system that is sustainable and inclusive,” he said.

The three-day summit brought together government officials, experts, and private investors to explore strategies for strengthening the country’s power infrastructure, improving regulation, and promoting foreign investment. Organizers said the meeting aimed to create a framework that supports public-private partnerships and reduces dependence on expensive, diesel-based generation.

The event follows a series of policy measures aimed at transforming Somalia’s energy landscape, including the National Electricity Act, which established a unified regulatory framework to promote private-sector growth and rural electrification. Somalia’s current energy policy aims to triple the country’s renewable power capacity by 2030 and reduce its heavy reliance on imported diesel fuel, according to the government’s National Renewable Energy Plan. The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources has said the transition toward solar and wind generation is essential to providing affordable, reliable electricity nationwide.

FILE - Somalia’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources Abdullahi Bidhan Warsame attends a meeting in Mogadishu. The minister says nearly half of Somalis remain without electricity, underscoring the country’s need for greater investment in renewable energy.  

Somalia has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world, particularly in rural areas, where many communities rely on private generators operated by small, localized networks, with tariffs among the highest in Africa. The high cost of power has slowed business growth and limited opportunities for small industries.

The Somali government, with support from the World Bank’s Somali Electricity Sector Recovery Project (SESRP), has launched several initiatives to expand grid access and develop renewable energy infrastructure. Recent tenders, including a 10-megawatt solar plant in Garowe with a 20-megawatt-hour battery storage system.

In June, Somalia also signed a renewable energy cooperation agreement with Azerbaijan, signalling its intent to attract international expertise and financing into the energy sector. The deal, announced by Bidhan in Baku, covers technical capacity-building and knowledge exchange in solar and wind development.

Bidhan urged Somali entrepreneurs and international partners to support efforts to expand electricity coverage nationwide, stressing that energy access is vital for education, healthcare, and job creation.

“Somalia’s development depends on reliable power,” he said. “We must work together to ensure every household and business has the electricity they need to thrive.”

Globally, renewable energy capacity reached record highs in 2024, but developing nations like Somalia continue to face financing and infrastructure barriers, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Sustained investment, stronger regulation, and digital innovation will be crucial for Somalia to achieve its 2030 energy goals.