In Somalia, access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity remains a significant development challenge, with much of the population dependent on costly and inefficient energy sources. To help address these gaps and support the country’s clean energy transition, the Federal Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR), in collaboration with UNDP through the Africa Minigrids Program (AMP), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and UNDP, convened a two-day stakeholder engagement workshop in Mogadishu from 6-7 October 2025. The workshop aimed to validate and advance Somalia’s renewable energy roadmap.
The event brought together federal and state energy officials, private sector developers, financiers, academia, civil society, and international partners to review key project components, including the national minigrid delivery models, a draft digital strategy for monitoring and data access, and policy frameworks de-risking and supporting renewable energy expansion.
Somalia’s Energy Transition and AMP’s Collaboration
Somalia has set ambitious energy access targets under its National Transformation Plan (NTP), aiming to increase electricity coverage from the current 69.1% to 80% in the coming years. Despite this progress, significant disparities remain between urban and rural areas, with many remote and nomadic communities still lacking reliable access to electricity. Most of the power generation continues to rely on diesel-based systems, which are often inefficient and costly to operate. In addition, a large segment of the population still depends on traditional biomass fuels, such as firewood and charcoal, for cooking, contributing to negative health outcomes and environmental degradation.
AMP Somalia is working to address these challenges in support of Somalia’s National Transformation Plan (NTP 2025–2029).
Why It Matters for the Community
This initiative brings more than just light to homes; it enables safer healthcare, improved education, and more sustainable livelihoods. For mothers and newborns, consistent electricity in hospitals means safer deliveries and better care for premature babies. For young people, access to reliable electricity creates opportunities for effective study, creativity, and personal development.
Beyond individual benefits, communities gain environmentally as well: reduced reliance on diesel and firewood helps lower emissions and combat deforestation. These improvements contribute not only to higher living standards but also to a more resilient and sustainable energy future for Somalia.
Building Local Capacity and Empowering Women
The discussions also highlighted the rollout of the new Solar and Hybrid Mini-Grid Diploma Curriculum, developed by AMP Somalia in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Higher Education (MoECHE). Designed to equip young engineers and technicians with practical skills, the 12-month program emphasizes hands-on learning and builds competencies in safe system management, troubleshooting, and entrepreneurship within the clean energy sector.
The curriculum tackles a critical skills gap in Somalia’s renewable energy sector, equipping youth aged 18 and above with the knowledge to design, install, operate, and maintain solar and hybrid minigrid systems. It aligns with key national frameworks, including the National Energy Policy (2018), and National Qualification Framework (2024), ensuring both policy relevance and technical excellence.
As Dr. Tawfiq Bahir, Energy Advisor at the National Electricity Authority (NEA) stated:
“Licensing of engineers, technicians, and solar professionals in the renewable energy sector is a cornerstone of regulatory integrity and technical excellence. It safeguards public safety, ensures adherence to established standards, and upholds professionalism across the industry.’’
The initiative is also making important strides for gender inclusion and youth empowerment. Almas Aweys Ahmed, a young Electrical Engineering graduate, shared:
“Women are truly being supported in this matter, whether it’s through receiving training or even being offered internships. Things are getting closer to how they were intended. And I believe receiving engineering licenses for engineering graduates and students is very important.”
By the end of the engagement, stakeholders endorsed a set of strategic documents, identified priority areas for training and capacity-building. These materials are currently undergoing internal review and are expected to be made publicly available once finalized.
About AMP Somalia
The Africa Minigrids Program (AMP) in Somalia is part of a broader regional initiative supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR) and other key stakeholders within the Federal Government of Somalia.
The AMP aims to improve access to clean, affordable, and reliable electricity by increasing the financial viability of low-carbon minigrids, promoting hybridization of diesel systems, and scaling investment in solar PV technologies. The program also focuses on digital transformation, institutional capacity building, and the development of innovative business models that reduce costs and encourage private sector participation.
These achievements have been made possible through the technical and financial support of UNDP and GEF, with national leadership from MoEWR. The program’s efforts are further aligned with the National Transformation Plan (NTP), which outlines the government’s vision to expand electricity access across the country.
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