The European Union (EU) has announced that it will commit €40.5 million to fund renewable energy projects in Somalia.
The funding is part of the Green Energy and Economic Development (GEED) Programme launched by the EU, in partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia.
In a launching event in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, the EU Ambassador to Somalia, Karin Johansson, said: “Increasingly, renewable energy and green growth is a joint priority area for the European Union and the Somali government.
“The role of, preferably green, energy provision and access is essential for sustainable development, poverty reduction and security and peace building”.
GEED is backed by €40.5 million from the EU, with an additional €5 million from German Corporation for International Cooperation and €2 million from civil society 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 EU said in a statement.
The GEED programme aims 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 statement reads.
Speaking at the launch, the EU Ambassador to Somalia, H.E. Karin Johansson, said: “Increasingly, renewable energy and green growth is a joint priority area for the European Union and the Somali government.
“The role of, preferably green, energy provision and access is essential for sustainable development, poverty reduction and security and peace building”.
The GEED programme will complement the World Bank-funded 400kV Ethiopia-Somalia interconnector project, which is set to bring electricity to the East African nation.
GEED is also part of the EU’s Green Deal for Somalia, launched in 2021, which aims to strengthen climate resilience and sustainable development.
The programme also follows the EU Global Gateway Strategy which invests in green infrastructure.
