Mogadishu, Somalia — A new chapter in Somalia’s energy journey took center stage on Wednesday as the Somalia Success Stories Conference — hosted by telecommunications giant Hormuud Telecom — opened in Mogadishu to celebrate the country’s growing momentum toward renewable power.
The event brought together an impressive mix of entrepreneurs, government officials, energy specialists, and investors who gathered not just to discuss technology, but to chart a future in which clean energy becomes a backbone of Somalia’s economic resilience.
In a nation long reliant on diesel generators and imported fuel, many of the speakers emphasized that the shift to solar, wind, and hybrid systems is no longer a distant ambition but a rapidly accelerating reality. From pastoral communities using off-grid solar for water pumping to urban households switching to pay-as-you-go home systems, the testimonies shared throughout the day painted a picture of energetic grassroots innovation meeting rising national commitment.
Government representatives echoed the private sector’s confidence, stating that policy frameworks are being aligned to attract investment and standardize quality across the fast-growing market. Participants repeatedly stressed that clean energy is not simply an environmental choice, but a lifeline for hospitals, schools, and small businesses struggling with soaring fuel prices.
The atmosphere in the conference hall was notably optimistic — more workshop than ceremony. Participants huddled around prototypes, exchanged contacts, debated tariffs and grid access, and shared lessons from both success and failure. Several attendees described the gathering as the first time Somali innovators in the sector had come together at such scale and with such focused purpose.
As the conference continues, one thing has become clear: renewable energy in Somalia is no longer framed as possibility. It is progress in motion, built by Somali hands, powering Somali homes, and — if the participants have their way — defining Somalia’s future.