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Somalia and Azerbaijan have signed a groundbreaking renewable energy agreement, marking a significant step in their deepening bilateral relations. The deal, announced during the Baku Energy Forum, aims to accelerate Somalia’s transition to sustainable energy while fostering technological collaboration between the two nations.
Somalia’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Abdullahi Bidhaan Warsame, emphasized that the agreement aligns with Somalia’s National Transformation Plan, which prioritizes renewable energy development, capacity building, and climate resilience. He highlighted Somalia’s commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and expanding access to electricity through large-scale solar projects.
The partnership builds on previous diplomatic engagements, including a visit by Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev to Mogadishu earlier this year. That visit laid the groundwork for cooperation across multiple sectors, including energy, education, defense, and humanitarian initiatives. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud later traveled to Baku, where he met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to formalize additional agreements aimed at strengthening economic and strategic ties.
As part of the renewable energy pact, Somalia is set to benefit from Azerbaijan’s expertise in green technology and infrastructure development. The agreement includes provisions for joint research, investment promotion, and knowledge-sharing initiatives designed to accelerate Somalia’s energy sector reforms. Officials have pointed to tangible progress, including the construction of an 800-megawatt solar power plant, as evidence of Somalia’s commitment to sustainable development.
The deal also complements a separate memorandum signed earlier this year between Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dahir Shire Mohamed, and Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov. That agreement focused on oil and gas exploration, technology transfer, and investment facilitation, further solidifying Somalia’s energy ambitions.
Somalia’s push for renewable energy comes at a crucial time, as the country seeks to address critical infrastructure gaps and enhance its human capital. The government has framed the partnership with Azerbaijan as a strategic move to attract international investment and position Somalia as a leader in sustainable energy within the region.
The agreement has been widely welcomed by energy experts, who see it as a transformative step toward Somalia’s long-term economic stability. With Somalia undergoing a period of recovery and institution-building, energy reforms are expected to play a central role in shaping the country’s future.
As Somalia and Azerbaijan deepen their collaboration, the renewable energy deal underscores the growing importance of international partnerships in driving sustainable development. The success of this initiative will be closely watched, with expectations that it will pave the way for further cooperation in key sectors.