By Zakaria Hassan - Reporter
Somalia, 12 January 2026 Somalia today officially launched an international education program that brings together eight universities from Somalia, Tanzania, Malawi, Türkiye, and Italy.
The program, known as READ (Renewable Energy Advancement for Inclusive Development), aims to advance education in renewable energy, strengthen research, and build the institutional capacity of higher-education institutions.
The READ Project includes the participation of three Somali universities—SIMAD University, Mogadishu University, and Capital University—alongside two universities from Tanzania, with one university each representing Türkiye, Malawi, and Italy. The academic partnership reflects growing Africa–Europe cooperation focused on developing clean energy skills.
The launch event was attended by officials from the Federal Government of Somalia, representatives of the European Union, and the ambassadors of Italy and Türkiye. The program is planned to run for 36 months and will directly benefit more than 500 students as well as nearly 100 university staff members, who will receive advanced training in various African and European countries.
Mohamed Cukaash, Director of the Climate and Environment Institute at SIMAD University, said the project’s impact would be wide-reaching. “Overall, a large number of people will benefit. More than 500 students will be involved, along with nearly 100 university staff who will undertake different forms of international-level training,” he said.
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READ places particular emphasis on youth empowerment and improving employability by equipping students with practical skills aligned with labor market needs and national development priorities. The project also supports applied research aimed at addressing energy challenges and climate change.
Abdullahi Abdulle Ali, Head of the Development Office at Capital University, noted that the project is critical to tackling Somalia’s energy challenges. “Although Somalia has significant energy resources, lack of access to energy remains a major development constraint. The READ Project helps us address these gaps,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abdikarin Muhudiin Ahmed, Rector of SIMAD University, confirmed that the project is funded by the European Union and will run for three years. He explained that key components include training university staff and developing curricula related to climate change and mitigation strategies.
The Federal Government of Somalia has expressed strong support for the initiative. Nura Mustaf Mukhtar, State Minister at the Ministry of Education, said advancing energy-related knowledge is a national priority. “Supporting science that enhances production, the economy, energy, climate change adaptation, and green development is among the government’s top priorities,” she said.
Experts say initiatives like READ reflect a growing recognition that education and skills development are central pillars for resilience, stability, and sustainable growth in Somalia.
