The World Bank has unveiled a $150 million project for Somalia’s electrification, seeking to enhance health and education services by providing electricity access to 205 health facilities and 380 schools.
According World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), the project will increase access to cleaner, lower cost electricity for 1.1 million households, or approximately 7 million people, of which 3.5 million are women. The project also aims to reestablish a stable electricity supply and support regional integration.
As the East African reports, the project resulted from findings that out of a population of about 15 million, 9 million Somalis lack access to electricity services, and the cost of power in the country is among the highest in the world.
Access to affordable electricity is critical for reducing poverty, as it helps increase household income, improve the business climate, and create jobs.
Kristina Svensson, World Bank Country Manager for Somalia
Established in 1960, IDA is designed to help the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programmes that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives.
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