SESRP

The Minister Attended Africa Energy Forum Barcelona 2024

H.E. Minister Abdillahi Bidhaan Warsame’s Engagement at the Africa Energy Forum 2024

H.E. Minister Abdillahi Bidhaan Warsame, the Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Federal Government of Somalia, actively participated in the Africa Energy Forum 2024 held in Barcelona, Spain. Accompanied by Mr. Abdullahi Ahmed Dayib, Director General of the National Electricity Authority (NEA), and the Minister’s advisor and MoEWR’s power engineer, the Minister’s visit focused on fostering international collaboration and advancing Somalia’s energy sector.

June 26, 2024 – Business Roundtable: On June 26, Minister Warsame attended an exclusive business roundtable hosted by the UK Government in partnership with the Africa Energy Forum. This high-profile event brought together prominent African energy ministers and key stakeholders from the UK’s energy sector, including leading investors and EPC contractors. The Minister extended his gratitude to His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa and the UK’s Ambassador to Spain for their invitation and organization of this significant gathering, emphasizing the robust and growing partnership between Africa and the United Kingdom.

During a focused session on investment challenges in Africa’s transmission sector, Minister Warsame underscored the critical need for enhanced transmission infrastructure to facilitate capital release for power generation projects. He highlighted Somalia’s ambitious plan to rebuild its national grid, which aims to provide reliable energy and support regional interconnection efforts. The Minister’s remarks resonated with the forum’s objective of addressing key challenges and opportunities in Africa’s energy landscape.

June 27, 2024 – Meeting with MIGA: On June 27, Minister Warsame and NEA Director General Mr. Dayib met with Ms. Nkemjika I. Onwuamaegbu, the Regional Head of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) in Africa. The meeting centered on exploring opportunities within Somalia’s energy sector and how MIGA can support foreign investors in the country. MIGA’s role in promoting foreign direct investment through political risk insurance and credit enhancement was highlighted as a critical factor in attracting and securing investments.

Minister Warsame reassured MIGA and other multilateral agencies of the Somali government’s commitment to enhancing the energy sector and creating a conducive environment for both local and international investors. He emphasized Somalia’s dedication to fostering energy development and the vital role of international partnerships in achieving these goals.

Conclusion: H.E. Minister Abdillahi Bidhaan Warsame’s participation in the Africa Energy Forum 2024 and his engagements with key stakeholder’s underscore Somalia’s proactive approach to revitalizing its energy sector. By strengthening international collaborations and addressing infrastructural challenges, Somalia is poised to make significant strides in providing reliable and sustainable energy solutions, thereby contributing to the broader regional development agenda.