In 2023, Somalia’s electricity consumption was just 23 kWh per person, compared with a global average of about 3,800 kWh—less than 1% of the global level. Low-carbon electricity contributed about 4 kWh per person, or roughly one-sixth of the total, leaving about 19 kWh per person supplied by fossil sources. Such limited electricity availability can constrain healthcare, education, refrigeration, water pumping and business development. Expanding clean electricity would help improve living standards and support electrification and growing digital demand, while reducing reliance on fossil fuels that contribute to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Somalia?

Somalia’s latest figures do not show a return to its historical peak in electricity consumption per person. The 2023 total of 23 kWh per person was 22 kWh below the record of 45 kWh reached in 1993—roughly half that earlier level. This comparison does not establish whether consumption grew or fell specifically between 2022 and 2023, but it highlights a substantial long-term shortfall. Low-carbon generation stood at 4 kWh per person, matching its 2022 record rather than exceeding it. That stagnation is concerning: Somalia needs sustained growth in clean electricity to meet existing needs and future demand.

Suggestions

Somalia should prioritize expanding its existing solar generation, which already contributes to its small clean-electricity supply, through rooftop systems, solar mini-grids and larger projects supported by storage and stronger electricity networks. Useful examples include Pakistan, with 41 TWh of solar generation, and the United Arab Emirates, with 14 TWh: both offer relevant experience deploying solar in sunny climates. South Africa’s 20 TWh of solar and 12 TWh of wind provide an African example of developing complementary clean sources, and Somalia could assess wind opportunities alongside solar. Nuclear should also feature in longer-term planning: the United Arab Emirates generates 32 TWh from nuclear, while Pakistan generates 22 TWh. Somalia can learn from their approaches to institutional development, workforce training and international cooperation as it considers how nuclear could eventually complement expanding solar electricity.

History

From 2016 through 2023, the supplied history records no measurable annual increases in Somalia’s low-carbon electricity generation at the reported precision. Solar changes are listed as 0 TWh throughout this period, while wind changes are also listed as 0 TWh from 2017 onward. These rounded figures may conceal small additions, so they should not be interpreted as proof that no solar or wind electricity was generated. Nevertheless, the record shows no substantial expansion visible in these data, consistent with low-carbon electricity per person remaining at its 2022 record in 2023. A stronger and sustained push for solar, complemented by wind and longer-term nuclear planning, would help move Somalia beyond this very low electricity baseline.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade