Mogadishu, March 2024: The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Federal Government of Somalia officially inaugurated the Somalia Energy Sector Working Group in a launching event held in Mogadishu on the 4th and 5th of March 2024. This momentous gathering brought together a diverse array of stakeholders from across the energy sector, including representatives from the Ministries of Energy and water resources of the federal member states, the National Electricity Authority, electricity service providers, development partners actively supporting the energy sector, solar service providers, representatives from civil society, consumers, and academic institutions.

 The stakeholders attended the launching event collectively acknowledged and expressed their appreciation for the Ministry’s forward-thinking initiative aimed at enhancing coordination within the energy sector and facilitating a collaborative platform for dialogue and consultation among all relevant stakeholders, spanning both the public and private sectors.

The Director-General of the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, serving as the chair of the newly established working group, stated the government’s strategic priorities for the energy sector. The director outlined the main objective of establishing this sector working group and their mandate enhancing sectoral coordination and fostering collaborative efforts and continues consultation among the stakeholders both private and public. Furthermore, the Energy Sector Coordinator presented the Terms of Reference for the working group, outlining its mandate, the roles and responsibilities chair, co-chair and members and presented a detailed work plan encompassing proposed activities, timelines, and assigned responsibilities.

In a display of unity and commitment towards sectoral advancement, directors from the Ministries of Energy and Water Resources of the Federal Member States delivered presentations on state-level energy interventions and updates. They reaffirmed their dedication to augmenting sectoral coordination. Similarly, Energy Service Providers were invited to share insights into their service offerings, operational capacities, and emphasized the necessity for coordination and merging to guarantee the provision of reliable and affordable electricity for consumers, thereby fostering collective growth within the sector.

Development partners supporting the Somali energy sector contributed to the discourse by presenting their energy portfolio and future plans. They articulated their commitment to collaborating with and coordinating among the various sectoral actors to jointly spearhead the transformation of Somalia’s energy landscape. These development partners also conveyed their gratitude towards the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Federal Government of Somalia for orchestrating such a landmark initiative. This initiative is poised to significantly enhance sectoral coordination and strengthen cooperative efforts, thereby catalyzing the sustainable development of Somalia’s energy sector in alignment with national priorities and the aspirations of its populace.