Baidoa, Somalia – The President of Somalia’s Southwest State, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, held a key meeting with a high-level Norwegian delegation to discuss the development of electricity infrastructure and renewable energy projects across the region.
The talks, held in Baidoa, focused on strengthening cooperation between Southwest State and the Kingdom of Norway to expand access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy. The Norwegian delegation included senior representatives from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and development agencies, as well as energy experts.
President Laftagareen welcomed Norway’s continued support for Somalia’s stabilization and development efforts, noting that energy remains one of the most critical sectors for recovery and economic growth in post-conflict regions like Southwest.
“Access to electricity is a basic right and a key pillar for improving education, healthcare, and livelihoods. We are eager to work with Norway and other international partners to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy solutions across our communities,” Laftagareen said.
The two sides discussed opportunities for joint investment in solar and hybrid mini-grid systems, especially in rural areas where national grid connectivity is nonexistent. They also explored ways to improve regulatory frameworks, encourage private sector participation, and strengthen technical capacity within the state’s Ministry of Energy.
The Norwegian delegation expressed its willingness to partner with Southwest State on pilot projects and technical assistance programs. They emphasized Norway’s global commitment to clean energy and sustainable development, particularly in fragile and climate-vulnerable regions.
This meeting builds on Norway’s broader development cooperation with Somalia, which includes support for governance, peacebuilding, education, and climate resilience.
A joint technical working group is expected to be established in the coming weeks to follow up on the outcomes of the meeting and design a roadmap for implementation of agreed initiatives.