Somalia completes first national climate fund Training to boost access to global climate financing

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The first National Climate Fund (NCF) finance access training in Somalia has concluded successfully in Mogadishu, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to strengthen national capacity for climate finance mobilisation.

The five-day programme brought together senior officials from key government institutions for intensive training on accessing global climate financing opportunities, particularly through the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund. The opening three days focused on a tailored training for senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank (SDRB), both of which have been nominated by the Somali government to pursue Direct Access Entity (DAE) accreditation. Achieving DAE status would allow the institutions to receive climate funding directly, strengthening national ownership of climate initiatives.

Participants took part in practical sessions and simulation exercises aimed at preparing the nominated institutions for the stringent accreditation processes of the GCF and other climate funds. Senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister, National Economic Council, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture also attended the training, reflecting the government’s whole-of-government approach to climate finance readiness.

Officials expressed appreciation for the leadership of Minister Bihi Egeh, who chairs the High-Level NCF Committee, and for the role played by SDRB leadership in supporting the country’s climate finance ambitions. The training also benefitted from the participation of Gabriel Boc, Somalia Country Coordinator for the GCF.

The initiative was supported through the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the Pioneer Country Trials, implemented in Somalia with technical assistance from DAI. The collaboration underscores the importance of strong partnerships in helping Somalia build the institutional capacity necessary to access, manage, and deploy climate finance effectively.

The successful completion of this training marks a critical milestone in Somalia’s journey toward unlocking international climate resources and boosting national resilience in the face of accelerating climate challenges.