Mogadishu — The National Child Project under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Mini-Grids Programme took significant strides this week as its Project Board convened in Mogadishu to assess progress and shape the way forward for 2025.
The meeting, co-chaired by Somalia’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources Abdillahi Bidhan and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Lionel Laurens, approved the 2025 Annual Workplan, reviewed implementation progress over the past year, and agreed on the selection of priority sites for mini-grid deployment.
Officials hailed the decisions as a vital step toward providing sustainable, affordable, and decentralized energy access across Somalia. The National Child Project is part of broader efforts to harness renewable energy for off-grid communities, bolstering local resilience and paving the way for long-term economic growth and improved living standards.
By setting clear targets and identifying key communities for mini-grid development, Somalia and its partners aim to expand rural electrification and support the national transition to green energy.