By H.E. Eng. Ahmed Jama Barre, Minister of Energy and Minerals, Republic of Somaliland
Across Africa, the discussion on energy and mineral development is a sizzling topic and is gaining remarkable momentum — from the point of extraction to transformation, from dependence to self-reliance, and from potential to tangible performance. The continent stands at the threshold of a new era in which access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy will dictate the speed and equity of development. With its natural endowments, strategic location at the gateway to the Horn of Africa, untapped resources, and youthful population, Somaliland is poised to become one of the region’s most dynamic emerging economies and a nation ready for transformative investment and sustainable growth.
A New African Energy Vision
According to the International Energy Agency (2022), Africa is deemed to have 60% of the world’s solar resources, yet it contributes less than 2% to installed photovoltaic capacity. Evidently, the African continent is rich in natural hydrocarbons, critical mineral resources, and wind corridors, yet energy poverty continues to constrain industrialization and institutional development. The gap between abundance and accessibility is not one of potential — it is one of investment, technology, and governance. For Somaliland, based on our investor-friendly legal framework and realistic strategic plan, the priority is clear — to convert our vast renewable energy and untapped minerals into inclusive growth. The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has therefore embarked on a reform agenda grounded in three pillars: policy modernization, institutional strengthening, and sustainable resource management. These pillars align with the continental ambition articulated in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7 and SDG 13).
Somaliland’s Strategic Energy Transformation
The energy landscape of Somaliland is being redefined through a dual-track strategy. The first focuses on modernizing our electricity sector through regulatory reforms, private-sector partnerships, and regional interconnection. Regulatory reforms have been implemented — for instance, the government has established the Somaliland Electricity Commission (SEC), and a national electricity company has also been created to boost energy reforms. The government has also formulated a strategic target of lowering electricity tariffs, supported by the World Bank. As a ministry, we are working to expand access, enhance grid reliability, and integrate renewables into our power mix. The planned Ethiopia–Somaliland Power Interconnection is also a flagship initiative that will further anchor the region in a sustainable and interconnected energy market. The second track focuses on unlocking renewable energy and green hydrogen potential. With some of the highest solar irradiance and strong coastal winds along the Gulf of Aden in East Africa, Somaliland has the natural assets to become a renewable-energy hub for the Horn of Africa. Our current roadmap prioritizes decentralized solar and hybrid mini-grids for rural electrification, alongside utility-scale projects for industrial corridors such as Berbera. We are also engaging with international partners to explore green hydrogen and geothermal production and storage — positioning Somaliland as a future exporter of clean energy solutions.
Minerals and the New African Industrialization
Beyond energy, the continent’s future will be determined by how effectively it manages its critical minerals. Africa hosts the largest reserves of cobalt, lithium, graphite, and rare earths — the essential building blocks for electric vehicles, solar panels, and battery technologies. Yet without forward-thinking policies, these resources risk repeating the “extract-and-export” model of the past. As Somaliland, we have formulated a different approach to manage and ensure transparent licensing, community participation, and value addition at source.
Innovation, Investment, and Regional Integration
The energy transition is not merely about replacing fossil fuels — it is also about rethinking systems, markets, and mindsets. African nations must embrace innovation and technology transfer — from digital metering and smart grids to advanced geoscience and remote sensing — to leapfrog legacy constraints. As Somaliland, we have regulations that allow and encourage collaboration with universities and international research partners to leverage natural-resource potentialities and technology-based knowledge as drivers of transformation. Regional integration is equally vital. Through cross-border infrastructure, harmonized regulation, and shared learning, Africa can build economies of scale that attract private capital. The Berbera Corridor, connecting Somaliland’s port to Ethiopia and beyond, exemplifies this opportunity — a multi-modal gateway linking energy, trade, and logistics within a sustainable development framework.
From Potential to Prosperity: A Call for Partnerships
To achieve universal access and sustainable industrialization, Africa must mobilize bold partnerships between governments, investors, and development institutions. As policymakers, our role is to provide clarity, predictability, and accountability. As investors, the private sector must bring capital and innovation. And as development partners, multilateral agencies must continue to de-risk early-stage investments and strengthen institutional capacity. For Somaliland, partnerships with development entities such as the World Bank are already laying the foundation for a diversified energy mix with modernized mineral governance. Yet the ultimate success of these efforts depends on our collective ability to align ambition with implementation — to move from policy statements to tangible results.
Africa’s Energy Future: Inclusive, Green, and Resilient
Africa’s energy transition must be redesigned to be more inclusive, ensuring that women, youth, and rural communities participate in and benefit from the green economy. It should also be green — grounded in climate resilience and environmental stewardship. As the Minister of Energy and Minerals of Somaliland, I am convinced that the continent’s greatest resource is not only its oil, sun, or wind — but also its people, and their ability to innovate, collaborate, and transform vision into reality. The future of Africa’s energy lies in our own hands — and the time to act is now.
H.E. Eng. Ahmed Jama Barre will be among the distinguished speakers at the Africa Energy Indaba 2026 — Africa’s premier energy conference and exhibition — happening 3–5 March 2026 in Cape Town. Join policymakers, investors, and innovators driving the continent’s sustainable energy transformation. Visit www.africaenergyindaba.com to register.
