MOGADISHU, (HAN) — Somali government officials and business leaders have urged greater investment in clean energy and infrastructure to expand electricity access and reduce reliance on imported fuel, during the 4th Somalia Success Stories Forum held in Mogadishu on Wednesday.
The forum, organized by Hormuud Telecom, brought together policymakers, investors, and private-sector representatives to discuss strategies for accelerating Somalia’s energy transition. The country remains one of the least electrified in Africa, with about 49% of the population still lacking access to power, according to government figures.
Energy and Water Resources Minister Abdullahi Bidhaan said the government is working to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel, which currently accounts for 85% of electricity generation.
“Our goal is to cut that figure to 50% within the next three years, with the remainder supplied by solar and other renewable sources,” Bidhaan said.
He noted that rebuilding and modernizing Somalia’s fragmented electricity network is a top priority, as the country currently lacks a unified national grid and depends largely on private diesel-powered suppliers.
Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama commended Somali-owned electricity firms for keeping Mogadishu powered despite high operational costs and limited infrastructure.
“Bringing the average price of electricity in Mogadishu down to $0.36 per kilowatt-hour has required effort, expertise, and capital,” Jama said. “These companies are helping the nation recover and move forward.”
Speakers also emphasized the growing adoption of clean cooking solutions, which are helping to reduce deforestation and improve household well-being. Somali Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mohamud Abdikarim Gabeyre highlighted the contributions of gas suppliers such as SomGas, Benaadir Gas, and HASS Petroleum, which he said are making cooking “easier, safer, and more affordable” for Somali families.
“These companies have lessened the burden on women and reduced the use of charcoal and firewood, directly supporting environmental protection and climate change mitigation,” Gabeyre said.
Petroleum and Minerals Minister Dahir Shire Mohamed said the government is also exploring domestic oil reserves to lower fuel import costs and strengthen national energy security.
Hormuud Telecom Chairman Ahmed Mahmoud Yusuf announced that 90% of the company’s facilities are now powered by solar energy, as part of its broader sustainability strategy.
“We have chosen to harness the natural resources that God has blessed us with,” Yusuf said.
The forum concluded with renewed calls for stronger public–private partnerships to speed up access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy across Somalia.
