Somalia expands electricity access to improve health and jobs
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Faiza Abdirahman Ibrahim recently gave birth at Suuqa Xoolaha Health and Maternity Centre in Baidoa, Somalia, benefiting from the facility’s new, reliable electricity.
Previously, delivering babies was more difficult due to inconsistent power. Now, medical staff can consistently use essential equipment and supplies.
This improvement is part of a larger effort across Somalia to expand access to electricity, funded by the World Bank Group through the Somali Electricity Sector Recovery Project (SESRP) and the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Somalia (ASCENT) projects. These projects aim to connect 1.1 million households, nearly 7 million people, including 3.5 million women, to electricity and to provide power to 205 health facilities and 380 schools.
In Jubaland, residents of Istanbul Hospital now receive care at any hour, while Goobweyn District Hospital can perform surgeries on site because of consistent lighting. Community members also report that electricity has made hospitals more comfortable for both staff and patients, especially during hot weather. Despite these gains, challenges remain.
A recent energy access survey revealed that nearly 70 percent of Somali households spend at least 5 percent of their income on electricity, and many still experience limited hours of power. This data is informing future planning and investment to lower costs and expand access further, as part of the broader Mission 300 initiative to connect 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030.
