Türkiye and Somalia sign strategic fisheries cooperation agreement

Türkiye and Somalia have solidified a major partnership in the fisheries sector with a strategic cooperation agreement signed in Ankara on Wednesday. The deal between Turkish industrial conglomerate OYAK and Somalia's Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy is designed to centralize and sustainably develop one of the world's most abundant marine fishing grounds off Somalia's coast.

Centralized Management and Economic Goals

Under the agreement, a new joint company named SOMTURK will be established and granted exclusive authority to manage and issue all fishing licenses within Somalia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The core objectives are to implement a sustainable, fully registered framework for fisheries and to unlock significant economic potential. Somali Ports and Marine Transport Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur hailed the pact on social media as a "milestone" that will boost the blue economy, create thousands of jobs for youth, and foster long-term growth and poverty reduction in Somalia.

A Win-Win Strategic Partnership

The agreement provides the Turkish fisheries sector with structured access to Somali waters, which are considered among the richest in fish stocks globally. In return, it establishes a revenue model to support OYAK's pension fund operations while aiming to strengthen the local Somali economy through fish processing, increased employment, and community welfare. The deal reflects the deepening "win-win" economic and diplomatic relationship between Ankara and Mogadishu, which has expanded significantly since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's landmark visit to Somalia in 2011.

Broader Context of Türkiye-Somalia Relations

This fisheries pact is the latest development in a comprehensive partnership. Türkiye operates its largest embassy in Africa in Mogadishu and has built its biggest overseas military training facility there. Through its aid agency TIKA, Türkiye has executed over 150 development projects in Somalia since 2011, cementing its role as a key economic and security partner for the Horn of Africa nation.