The author is Somalia’s ambassador to Türkiye.
Somalia and Türkiye are set to celebrate a significant achievement in their strategic energy partnership this week, two years after signing a landmark agreement in early 2024 that paved the way for joint exploration and development in Somali waters. This agreement was not merely a diplomatic formality but a transformative framework designed to unlock the vast, untapped hydrocarbon potential hidden beneath the Indian Ocean.
Oruc Reis launches a new era of cooperation
The Somalia–Türkiye energy collaboration officially commenced in October 2024 with a high-profile farewell ceremony for the Oruc Reis vessel in İstanbul. The ceremony was attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, and Abdirizak Omar Mohamed, who was then Somalia's petroleum minister. The event marked the beginning of deeper cooperation in energy exploration and development initiatives between the two nations.
Cagri Bey vessel departs for Mogadishu
In February 2026, the Cagri Bey oil drilling vessel departed from Mersin, Türkiye, carrying a joint delegation including Somalia's current Petroleum Minister Dahir Shire and Bayraktar. The vessel arrived in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu today, continuing the momentum of Somalia–Türkiye collaboration in the energy sector. This is a clear statement of intent – one that signals to the region and to international energy markets that Somalia is open, ready, and cooperating with a serious partner. The partnership has now moved from paper to practice.
Driving economic growth and job creation
This is a milestone that reflects a strong, resilient partnership built on trust, expertise, and a shared vision for sustainable energy development. The Somalia–Türkiye energy partnership will not only advance energy exploration and infrastructure but also create thousands of job opportunities for Somali youth, particularly in engineering, technical, and operational roles. This initiative will also stimulate economic growth, boost local industries, and strengthen Somalia's overall prosperity, providing a foundation for long-term development and stability.
Somalia has a young and growing population – one that needs tangible pathways into skilled work. Energy sectors, when developed with genuine commitment to local participation, have historically been among the fastest routes to building that kind of workforce. Engineering, technical, and operational roles in the energy industry not only provide income but also build expertise that stays in the country long after any individual project is complete. This vision extends to the revitalization of Mogadishu’s port facilities and the creation of specialized industrial zones that will service the offshore rigs.
Beyond employment, the broader economic case is compelling. A functioning energy sector attracts further investment, strengthens government revenue, and creates demand for local suppliers and service providers. For a country working to consolidate stability and build institutions, that kind of economic momentum is not a side benefit, it is central to the whole project.
The partnership between Somalia and Türkiye signals a promising future, with both nations committed to expanding cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and human capacity-building, offering Somalia's young population a brighter and more economically secure future. This synergy has already begun to ripple through other sectors, including maritime security [1] and telecommunications [2], as the infrastructure required for oil and gas serves as a backbone for broader technological advancement.
What has been built over the past two years is more than an energy agreement. It is a model for what partnership can look like when it is grounded in shared interest, mutual respect, and a long-term view. The Cagri Bey's arrival in Mogadishu is a milestone. What follows it will define the partnership's true legacy.
[1] https://www.dailysabah.com/business/transportation/turkiye-somalia-seal-agreement-on-maritime-cooperation
[2] https://www.ftlsomalia.com/nca-and-t-rkiye-s-btk-form-partnership-on-electronic-communications/
*Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu.
