Renewable energy businesses in Somalia to get financial and technical assistance

Mogadishu, Somalia – Private companies that are promoting the use of renewable energy in Somalia are set to get grants and technical assistance through the Renewable Energy and Climate Technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa (REACT SSA) Somalia. This programme is implemented by the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) and funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida).

Funding is available for private sector companies and microfinance institutions that are commercially active in the renewable energy market in the Federal Republic of Somalia (FRS). Qualifying companies will receive grants of between US$100,000 and US$1.5 million which is awarded upon the achievement of mutually agreed milestones. The grants will be given to commercially-viable companies out of which 25 percent will be women-owned or -managed.

Victoria Sabula, CEO of the AECF said,

“This initiative promotes private sector investment and innovations in low-cost clean energy solutions. The companies that will receive grants and technical assistance must deliver affordable and quality clean energy products and services that benefit the rural and peri urban poor; especially women.”

This is the second round of REACT SSA competition in Somalia, following the successful funding award to several companies in the first round of the competition. Companies operationally based in, or strategically planning to invest in Hirshabelle, Southwest, and Banadir are highly encouraged to apply for this call, since they were the least represented states during the first round of the competition.