In brief
- On 2020-10-03, Somaliland Standard reported that the Minister of Energy and Minerals handed over responsibilities of power companies to the newly appointed National Electricity Commission (NEC) in a ceremony at the ministry's premises in Hargeisa.
- The report quotes officials welcoming the NEC and promising cooperation, but does not show any regulatory action, licensing, tariff setting, or enforcement after the handover.
- No follow-up reporting establishes what the NEC has done since the 2020 ceremony.
On 3 October 2020, Somaliland Standard reported that the Minister of Energy and Minerals, Jama Mohamoud Egal, handed over the work and responsibilities of power companies in the energy sector to the newly appointed National Electricity Commission (NEC). The handover ceremony was held at the ministry's premises in Hargeisa and attended by officials of electricity companies operating in Somaliland.
The report gives no date for the handover beyond the article's dateline of 2020-10-03, and no appointing authority or appointment date for the NEC is stated. The minister is quoted recalling how electric companies began operations, prioritised quality, and worked to survive as cities expanded slowly. He advised that competition among power companies be free, fair, and orderly, and cautioned that the ministry will continue monitoring how they execute their work, according to Somaliland Standard.
Ahmed Adare, identified by Somaliland Standard as Chairman of the Electricity Commission, said the Ministry of Energy and Minerals started from scratch and congratulated them on their long efforts. He said the Commission would act as a good referee and promised justice and quality. The report also names Idris Hamud Jibril as Chairman of the National Electricity Board, which brings stakeholders together. The extract does not explain the relationship between the National Electricity Board and the National Electricity Commission.
Heads of the various power companies who spoke at the event welcomed the NEC and promised to work well with them and abide by the rules, Somaliland Standard reported. No names of the companies or their heads are given.
The 2020 report does not establish what has happened since. It contains no regulatory framework, licensing rules, tariffs, enforcement powers, or any subsequent action by the NEC. No later reporting is cited. The article's page shows a latest-news timestamp of September 30, 2026, but the story date is 2020-10-03.
Frequently asked questions
What are the new powers of the National Electricity Commission?
The 2020 report does not specify any powers. It records only a handover of responsibilities and promises of oversight, but no regulatory framework, licensing rules, or enforcement powers are described.
Will this lead to new licensing requirements for construction of power infrastructure?
The report gives no indication of licensing requirements or any regulatory actions. No follow-up reporting on licensing is provided.
Sources
Photo: European Space Agency, CC BY-SA 3.0 igo, via Wikimedia Commons
