After a comprehensive assessment of the use of solar power in the fisheries supply chain, steps have been taken to provide solar fridges and solar-powered ice machines to six fishing companies so that they can keep fish frozen. At the same time cold storage space is also available for fish caught in isolated coastal communities, where previously f

A new network of solar-powered boreholes has begun supplying clean water to tens of thousands of people in rural Somalia, marking a significant step in strengthening community resilience in drought-prone areas.

The project will include the generation of solar energy, expanding the distribution network, and installing modern equipment to help the community manage energy usage efficiently. It will also bring solar power systems to households that previously had no electricity, including internally displaced persons living in challenging conditions.

A tender is open in Somalia for the installation of off-grid solar-plus-storage systems at 22 selected healthcare facilities in the country’s North Eastern State. The deadline for applications is Jan. 15, 2026.

Somalia has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world, particularly in rural areas, where many communities rely on private generators operated by small, localized networks, with tariffs among the highest in Africa. The high cost of power has slowed business growth and limited opportunities for small industries.

A story of grassroots persistence in Somalia could serve as a powerful reminder of the impact of innovative financing mechanisms as the international community meets in Spain to discuss how to fund global sustainable development.

The new strategy, developed with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), projects an increase in renewable capacity from 54 megawatts in 2023 to 392 megawatts by the end of the decade. The plan also targets a 30% rise in off-grid generation, with a focus on hard-to-reach regions like Galmudug and Jubaland.

Acumen’s Hardest-to-Reach (“H2R”) initiative has invested $1 million in KIMS Microfinance, the largest microfinance institution in Somalia, to support the scaling of its off-grid solar financing activities. KIMS was founded 11 years ago by Somali expatriates committed to empowering Somalis to lift themselves out of poverty.

This initiative is part of MSF’s comprehensive strategy to reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental sustainability, not only benefiting Galkayo but also setting a benchmark for similar sustainable projects across the region and throughout Somalia.

Once affected by frequent power outages that jeopardized the delivery of essential health services, Berbera’s hospitals are now running around the clock thanks to newly installed solar battery systems supported by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and WHO Somalia.