The World Food Programme, Germany and the Ethiopian government have launched a solar-powered irrigation project in the Somali Region to bolster food security and drought resilience for pastoral communities. Financed by KfW Development Bank, the initiative is expected to support 17,000 pastoral and agro-pastoral households, or around 85,000 people, through improved water access for farming and livestock. Using solar energy to pump water from the Shebelle River, the project aims to enable year-round food production, including during drought periods. Officials say the initiative is designed to strengthen livelihoods, climate adaptation and long-term resilience. The project has already generated 17.5 million Br in production value during the 2024/25 fiscal year, contributing to higher incomes and stronger protection against climate shocks.

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