Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia has unveiled a bold plan to transform its energy landscape, with the government vowing to slash the country’s heavy reliance on imported fuel in favor of renewable power.
The Minister of Energy, Abdullahi Bidhaan, announced that an overwhelming 85 percent of Somalia’s electricity is currently generated from imported fuel — a costly and environmentally burdensome dependence that places immense pressure on households and businesses alike. Speaking with optimism and determination, he said the government is now committed to cutting that fuel reliance to 50 percent within the next three years.
The remaining half of the country’s electricity, he affirmed, will be sourced from solar energy.
“This is not just an economic decision. It is about dignity, sustainability, and securing a better future for our people. Somalis deserve affordable and clean electricity, not systems that trap them in high costs and volatility,” Bidhaan said.
Regarded as one of the sunniest nations on earth, Somalia holds vast untapped potential for solar power. Yet infrastructure gaps, regulatory hurdles and decades of conflict have long delayed investment in large-scale renewables. Bidhaan’s declaration signals one of the clearest government commitments yet to change that trajectory.
Transitioning to solar energy could dramatically lower electricity prices for Somali families, many of whom spend a significant portion of their income on power. It could also spur new industries, create jobs in installation and maintenance, and reduce emissions in a country already grappling with the effects of climate change.
However, the road ahead will require coordinated policy reforms, financing partnerships and private-sector engagement — along with ensuring that rural and displaced communities are not left behind.
Still, for many Somalis long accustomed to unreliable and expensive electricity, the minister’s promise offers a rare glimpse of hope. If realized, Somalia’s sun-powered shift could become one of the most significant transformations in its modern history.