MOGADISHU: The Director General of the Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development, Abdifatah Hared, attended the second Steering Committee of the Green Energy and Economic Development (GEED) Program, which brought together officials from the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labour, the European Union in Somalia, German Cooperation, and other key partners. The committee reviewed progress, coordinated efforts, discussed challenges, and outlined plans for the next phase of the program.
Mr. Hared emphasized the GEED program’s contribution to advancing green energy, youth skills and employment, climate resilience, and sustainable development in line with Somalia’s National Transformation Plan (NTP 2025-2029). The committee’s meeting reflects ongoing efforts to align international support with Somalia’s domestic development priorities, particularly in the energy sector.
The GEED program, launched in May 2025, represents a strategic investment in Somalia’s green transition. With EU funding of €40.5 million, co‑financed by German Cooperation with an additional €5 million, and €2 million from civil society implementing partners, the programme consists of five innovative projects aimed at increasing access to renewable energy for Somali households and micro, small, and medium enterprises while unlocking new economic opportunities. The initiative adopts a market‑based approach to foster systemic and sustainable changes across the green energy and circular economy sectors. It focuses on strengthening access to clean, affordable energy, de‑risking private investment, and building local capacities through technical and vocational education and training in green skills. It also seeks to tackle barriers such as limited access to finance, regulatory constraints, and challenges in the business environment.
The European Union has consistently supported Somalia’s energy sector, including a higher education programme focused on renewable energy expertise and climate‑resilient development, which was formally introduced in Mogadishu in January 2026. A separate €545 million EU investment package aimed at accelerating renewable energy adoption across Africa included €45.5 million for Somalia to support nationwide efforts to increase access to affordable clean energy. The GEED programme is part of the EU’s broader commitment under the Team Europe Initiative on the Green Deal, launched in Somalia in 2021, and supports the EU Global Gateway Strategy, investing in green, inclusive infrastructure and partnerships worldwide.
