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Somalia has experienced one of the most rapid expansions of electricity access in the region over the past decade. According to available estimates, national electricity access increased from approximately 15% in 2012 to 61% by 2022, while urban access rose from roughly 30% to 80% and rural access from only 4% to almost half of the rural population. Electricity access is closely associated with economic development because expanding supply supports households, businesses, industry, telecommunications, healthcare, education and other productive activity. [Image 1]

Unlike most countries, this expansion did not emerge through a centrally planned national grid, but largely through private sector innovation giving birth to Electricity Service Providers (ESPs). What began as numerous small, separate generators and mini-grids gradually evolved through expansion and consolidation into larger metropolitan networks, with providers such as BECO and SomPower emerging through mergers between smaller operators. This consolidation has enabled technological upgrading into substations, higher-voltage distribution networks, battery storage and larger generation facilities capable of supplying entire cities and wider regions. [Image 2]

At the same time, Somalia's electricity sector is undergoing a rapid transition towards renewable energy as providers seek to reduce their dependence on imported diesel and lower electricity costs. Private companies have invested in large-scale solar generation, hybrid systems and battery storage, while solar power is increasingly being used for irrigation, water systems, telecommunications, fisheries, cold storage and other productive activities. Growing demand has also produced a wider domestic solar industry involving financing, installation, maintenance and technical services, alongside the emergence of domestic solar-panel manufacturing. [Image 3]

The transformation is also visible from space. Recent satellite analyses have identified Somalia among the fastest-brightening countries in the world at night, with researchers associating the increase with a major expansion in energy access rather than urbanisation alone. Nighttime luminosity cannot directly measure GDP, but its rapid expansion provides an independent physical indicator consistent with growing electrification, urbanisation, infrastructure and commercial activity across the country. [Image 4]

SomEntreprise | Somali Business & Economy

Read the full analysis: Somalia Is Richer Than We Think (Section 18)
https://somentreprise.substack.com/p/somalia-is-richer-than-we-think?

SomMarine manufactures boats and larger fishing vessels locally in Kismayo, Somalia, serving the country's maritime and fishing industries.

Their product line includes a range of fishing vessels of different sizes and capacities, designed for different types of fishing operations:

6m boats — Small-scale fishing operations, offering agility and ease of use.
10.5m boats — Mid-sized fishing activities, balancing size and functionality.
15m boats — Larger fishing expeditions, providing greater space and stability.
18m boats — Extensive fishing operations, with greater durability and capacity.
24m boats — High-capacity, long-range fishing operations.

Their flagship vessel is the MV Dalmar 001, designed and manufactured in Kismayo. From hull to helm, every vessel is engineered and assembled by Somali engineers, welders and marine technicians.

In addition to manufacturing vessels, they provide various services, including boat maintenance and repairs, boat customization and upgrades, fishing gear and marine engine supplies, as well as training and consultancy services.

Their revenue streams are also diversified across direct fish sales, boat leasing, boat sales through lending arrangements, boat maintenance and repairs, logistics and cargo/passenger services, marine tourism, sales of fishing gear, marine engines and accessories, and consultancy services.

SomMarine also operates through its subsidiary, GlobalSom Limited, which is registered and is operational in Kenya. Through GlobalSom, the company participates in regional and international markets through fishing operations, seafood sales, logistics and distribution. GlobalSom markets fresh, frozen and dried seafood sourced from the Somali coastline, connecting SomMarine's productive operations in Somalia with wider regional and international markets.

SomMarine also drives the Kaalmays Marine Institute (Kaalmi), a vocational training institution that trains people in modern fishing techniques, boat-making and boat operations.

The company is one example of the domestic manufacturing capacity developing alongside Somalia's fishing industry and wider blue economy.

SomEntreprise | Somali Business & Economy

Source: https://sommarine.com/