Simad University & Tamarso Energy forge strategic alliance to advance Somalia’s renewable energy workforce
Mogadishu, Somalia — Simad University, through its Institute of Climate and Environment (ICE Institute), and ARE Member Tamarso Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on green skills development, research, and the creation of a “Living Lab” for renewable energy technologies.
This strategic partnership bridges the gap between academia and the private sector, establishing a framework to mobilise resources and train the next generation of technicians required for Somalia’s energy transition.
Aligning education with industry ambitions
As Tamarso Energy advances its long-term vision to deploy green mini-grids nationwide, the demand for a skilled workforce—capable of managing solar installation, battery systems, and smart metering—is growing rapidly.
“This partnership allows us to design training frameworks that are directly responsive to market needs,” said Mohamed Okash, Founding Director of the ICE Institute. “By collaborating with an industry leader like Tamarso, we are working to ensure our students gain the practical, hands-on exposure necessary to lead Somalia’s climate resilience efforts.”
A ‘Living Lab’ for innovation
Under the terms of the agreement, the parties aim to utilise Simad University campuses as a “Living Lab.” This initiative is intended to serve as a testing ground for Tamarso’s pilot technologies, including smart metering and hybrid energy storage solutions, providing students with exposure to real-world technical challenges.
The collaboration also prioritises Joint Resource Mobilisation, where the parties will cooperate to seek international climate finance and grants to fund advanced training programs.
Building investor confidence through local capacity
“To reach our expansion goals, we need a workforce that matches our pace of growth,” said Sharmarke Abdulkadir, CEO of Tamarso Energy. “Partnering with Simad University ensures that our infrastructure investment is backed by competent, homegrown talent.”
Wilfred Boerrigter, Director/Co-Founder of Tamarso Green Mini Grids, added, “For the renewable sector to thrive, technical capacity for operations and maintenance must meet international standards. This MoU represents a shared commitment to building that human capital.”
Research for impact
Beyond training, the partnership outlines a commitment to “Productive Use of Energy” (PUE) research. The ICE Institute and Tamarso plan to generate evidence-based knowledge on how energy access affects community livelihoods, helping to inform policy and industry standards in Somalia.