By Hassan Adan
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Direct Access Accreditation Training Programme, held in Nairobi under the African Union’s AIP Multi-Country GCF Readiness Support Programme, brought together key national institutions to strengthen their capacity to access global climate finance and address pressing environmental challenges.
SIMAD University was represented at the meeting by the Director of its Institute of Climate and Environment (ICE Institute), Mohamed Okash, as part of efforts to build Somalia’s institutional readiness to tap into international climate funding mechanisms.
The programme focused on requirements for accreditation to the Green Climate Fund, including fiduciary standards, environmental and social safeguards, gender policies and governance systems needed for direct access to funding.
Organized under the African Union’s Africa Investment Programme, the training is part of a wider initiative aimed at enabling African institutions to independently access and manage climate finance, reducing reliance on international intermediaries.
Okash said the training would help strengthen institutional systems needed to meet international standards. “This programme equips institutions with the technical and governance frameworks required for accreditation and positions Somalia to better access climate finance,” he said.
He added that improving access to funding is critical for countries facing climate shocks. “For Somalia, strengthening institutional capacity is essential to ensure that global climate resources translate into practical solutions on the ground,” Okash said.
Somalia is among countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing recurrent droughts, floods and food insecurity. International financing mechanisms such as the GCF are seen as key to supporting adaptation and resilience efforts.
SIMAD University has in recent years increased its engagement in regional and international forums, including meetings in Nairobi, focusing on climate policy, research collaboration and capacity development, according to university officials.
Through its ICE Institute, the university conducts research and training programmes aimed at linking global climate frameworks with local implementation, particularly in fragile and climate-affected contexts.
The training in Nairobi also highlighted the importance of direct access accreditation, which allows national institutions to receive and manage funds without intermediaries, improving efficiency and country ownership of projects.
Participants included representatives from government agencies, research institutions and development partners across multiple African countries, reflecting growing demand for institutional readiness to access climate finance.
SIMAD University, which is among the leading universities in Somalia according to the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, says it aims to expand partnerships and technical expertise to support the country’s climate response.
The university said it remains committed to strengthening institutional systems and advancing research and policy engagement to support a more resilient and sustainable future for Somalia
