Somalia steps up maritime development with Turkish support

Somalia is ramping up efforts to develop its maritime industry as part of a broader strategy to stimulate job creation, grow the national economy, and enhance regional security.

This commitment was underscored during a high-level meeting in Ankara between Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Minister Nur thanked the Turkish leadership for its warm reception and reiterated Somalia’s deep ties with Turkey.

“Somalia and Turkey share strong, strategic interests that can significantly advance our development goals,” he said following the talks.

The discussions focused on key infrastructure projects, particularly in port development and maritime security, that are expected to be constructed or modernized with Turkish support.

These efforts build on a long-standing partnership that dates back to President Erdoğan’s historic visit to Somalia in 2011, which opened a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.

Turkey has since become a central partner in Somalia’s post-conflict reconstruction, providing humanitarian aid, supporting security sector reform, and contributing to institutional capacity building.

The meeting also reaffirmed commitments made under the Framework Agreement on Defense and Economic Cooperation, signed in February 2024.

The accord aims to boost Somalia’s naval capabilities and maritime defense, reinforcing security in the Gulf of Aden and along Somalia’s 3,300-kilometer coastline—the longest in mainland Africa.

For Somalia, enhancing maritime governance and infrastructure is not only a national security priority but a foundation for economic transformation. The government envisions turning the country into a regional logistics and trade hub, leveraging its strategic location on the Indian Ocean.

Turkey’s investment and technical expertise are seen as essential to this vision. Joint initiatives are underway to upgrade port facilities, introduce advanced port management systems, and provide vocational training in maritime fields.

These projects are intended to promote sustainable growth while improving security in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors.

As Somalia continues its path toward recovery and economic integration, the partnership with Turkey remains a key pillar in its strategy to build a modern, secure, and prosperous maritime sector.

Nur held separate meetings with Turkey's Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uralogu, focusing on port development and infrastructure along sea corridors.