Renewable Energy

REACT SSA Somalia and Somaliland

The REACT SSA Somalia and Somaliland programme is a US$ 8.5 million fund that seeks to reduce poverty through a transformational increase in the use of renewable energy by off-grid households in the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Somaliland. This programme aims to promote private sector investment and innovation in low-cost clean energy and climate change catalysed at scale.

REACT SSA Somalia is a component of the AECF’s Renewable Energy and Adaptation to Climate Technologies Sub-Saharan Africa Programme (REACT SSA) a US$61 million project funded by Sida.

The programme’s second call for applications has recently closed and qualifying companies will receive between US$100,000 and US$1.5 million of pure grants, awarded upon the achievement of mutually agreed milestones.

Purpose of the Fund

The specific objectives of the fund are:

  1. Support transformational business models adapted to target markets in order to accelerate access to low cost, clean energy i.e. cleaner fuels, cook stoves, alternatives to grid power.
  2. Support commercially viable companies and markets in target countries, out of which 25 percent will be women owned and/or managed.
  3. Support innovative ideas that stimulate next generation approaches in the renewable energy sector in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  4. Capture and disseminate lessons on how increased access to clean energy can deliver positive impact on the rural poor, especially women and youth, through: i) business models, ii) improved business environment, through policy influencing and advocacy, and iii) improved business environment through crowding in, replication and copying best practice.
  5. Stimulate stakeholder engagements for an improved policy, legal and regulatory environment for renewable energy businesses within the target countries.

Products and Services Supported

  • Small/pico-scale PV household technologies comprising lighting and phone charging systems.
  • Small (50wp) to large (100+Wp) solar systems for home and business use.
  • Mini and micro grids from solar energy.
  • Energy-efficient cooking equipment such as improved cook stoves.
  • Clean fuels like ethanol and biogas for rural and peri urban use.
  • Production and distribution models that support local entrepreneurship within a renewable energy supply chain.
  • Standalone equipment solutions for off-grid productive use including solar pumps and cooling solutions.
  • Large off-grid energy solutions for public and private institutions.
  • Telco-based solutions supporting renewable energy supply chains.
  • Business models that address sustainable e-waste management.

More information