Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has confirmed that Türkiye and Somalia have begun intergovernmental negotiations on hydrocarbon cooperation, as part of broader efforts to tap into Somalia’s natural resource potential.
During his official visit to Türkiye from July 3 to 5 at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President Mahmud spoke with Anadolu Agency and highlighted the deep-rooted ties between the two countries, dating back to the Ottoman era.
“The relationship between Somalia and Türkiye is not new. It was revitalized when then-Prime Minister Erdoğan visited Somalia,” Mahmud said, referring to the 2011 visit that marked a turning point in international engagement with Somalia.
“Since then, Türkiye has stood by us during our most difficult times — in state-building, humanitarian support, security, defense, and counterterrorism,” he noted. “Türkiye and its people hold a special place for us.”
Hydrocarbon Partnership Discussions Begin
Addressing Somalia’s hydrocarbon potential, Mahmud said exploration first began in 2012 during his initial presidency. Although data was scarce at the time, renewed efforts in 2015 led to seismic studies that have since revealed significant hydrocarbon potential, though further exploration is still needed.
“Somalia has the longest coastline in Africa, and large parts of it remain unexplored. But we now have enough data to begin,” he stated. “We have also developed the necessary legal framework and established institutions, including a petroleum ministry and a regulatory body.”
Mahmud emphasized Türkiye’s technical expertise and strategic importance as a potential partner.
“There are structured talks underway between the governments of Türkiye and Somalia on how we can cooperate in hydrocarbon exploration and development. This is a top priority for us. We trust the Turkish government and its companies,” he said.
“We are in the early stages, but working together.”
Somalia’s Hydrocarbon Potential
Prior to the civil war in 1991, several international oil and gas giants held exploration rights in Somalia, but conflict forced them to exit. Since the formation of the Federal Government in 2012, Somalia has worked to reestablish a legal and regulatory environment to attract foreign investment.
In 2020, Somalia passed a Petroleum Law and established the Somali Petroleum Authority (SPA) to oversee the sector and negotiate contracts.
Seismic data suggests Somalia could hold at least 30 billion barrels of oil and gas reserves. However, detailed exploration could take another 3 to 5 years.
In February 2022, Somalia signed seven production-sharing agreements with U.S.-based Coastline Exploration for offshore exploration, further signaling its ambitions to become a regional energy player.
Somalia sees its natural resources as a path to reducing poverty and diversifying the economy, with Türkiye now potentially playing a key role in that journey.