Ministerial delegation takes part in high-level public-private dialogue on Yemen’s electricity

[11/05/2026 04:58]

Riyadh - Saba

A ministerial team took part today in the high-level dialogue between the public and private sectors, organised by the Saudi Programme for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen and the World Bank Group, in the Saudi capital Riyadh, concerning Yemen’s electricity sector.

The ministerial team comprises the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr Afrah Al-Zuba, the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Engineer Adnan Al-Kaf, and the Minister of Industry and Trade, Mohammed Al-Ashwal, alongside representatives from the Saudi Programme for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, led by the Assistant General Supervisor of the Saudi Programme for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, Engineer Hassan Al-Attas, the World Bank Group, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and a number of representatives from the Yemeni private sector, Saudi companies, and international companies operating in the energy sector.

Over the course of two days, the dialogue will discuss, through a series of specialised sessions, appropriate participation models for the Yemeni context, the legislative and regulatory framework for the electricity sector, risk mitigation tools, and the ‘Revitalising the Electricity Sector for a Just Transition’ project, as well as a structured dialogue with major regional and international investors. The dialogue is set to conclude with the announcement of implementation steps and joint commitments among the participating parties.

The Minister of Planning commended Saudi Arabia’s supportive stance towards Yemen and the Yemeni people, the efforts of the Saudi Programme for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, and the World Bank Group’s strategic partnership with Yemen, emphasising that the electricity sector lies at the heart of the Economic and Social Development and Reconstruction Plan 2027–2031.

She noted that the government views electricity as a key enabler of economic recovery, service delivery and investment attraction, and regards the private sector as a long-term strategic partner in the recovery and reconstruction process. She noted that the Ministry is in the process of preparing an initial portfolio of public-private partnership projects across a number of ministries, and is working to establish a specialised partnership unit to serve as the main focal point for project preparation and coordination.

For his part, the Minister of Electricity emphasised the importance of holding this dialogue at this stage... He outlined the reform agenda adopted by the government in the electricity sector, the efforts being made to restore generation capacity, strengthen sector governance, and open it up to organised private sector participation through various models suited to the Yemeni context... He praised the support provided by our brothers in Saudi Arabia, as well as the World Bank... Reiterating the government’s commitment to pressing ahead with the reforms necessary to transform the electricity sector into a pillar of sustainable development.

For his part, the Minister of Industry noted that the electricity sector represents the entry point to a broader economic agenda encompassing a competitive industry and an active private sector... He highlighted that the government is working in parallel to streamline company registration procedures and enhance trade facilitation at border crossings... emphasising the government’s shift towards a gradual transition from aid dependency to development based on trade and investment.

For his part, the Assistant General Supervisor of the Saudi Programmes for Development and Reconstruction, speaking on behalf of the General Supervisor of the programme, Ambassador Engineer Mohammed Al Jaber, affirmed that the energy sector represents a pivotal pillar and lifeline that sustains all vital sectors, and that it lies at the heart of efforts towards economic recovery and improving the quality of life for Yemeni citizens.

He highlighted the programme’s efforts and projects in the energy sector, which have benefited more than 13 million people across various Yemeni governorates, in addition to the provision of oil product grants since 2018. He explained that the private sector is a key partner in the recovery equation, and that this platform was specifically designed to bring together the government, the private sector and international partners under one roof.

Meanwhile, Dina Abu Ghaida, Country Director of the World Bank Group in Yemen, addressed the Bank’s ongoing efforts to support Yemen’s electricity sector... She outlined the challenges facing the sector, explaining that the World Bank Group offers an integrated system comprising the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency to provide comprehensive support to the sector.

She emphasised the importance of this dialogue producing clear answers to three key issues: the most suitable business models for Yemen’s environment in the short term; the risk mitigation tools needed to make projects bankable; and the fundamental reforms required to transition from emergency solutions to sustainable development solutions.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)