Wednesday October 15, 2025 {HMC} 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
Source Hiiraan online
