By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Turkey, 30 December 2025 The Presidents of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, jointly announced today that offshore oil drilling in Somalia's coastal waters will commence next year, following successful geological surveys.
“Turkey plans to start oil drilling operations in 2026, and these efforts will make a significant contribution to the well-being of the Somali people,” President Erdogan announced.
The announcement comes after preliminary results from technical and scientific assessments by Turkish Petroleum Corporation indicated existence of commercially viable oil and gas off the coast of Somalia.
President Mohamud said significant progress in oil and gas exploration off the coast of Somalia, has been made, marking a key milestone in Somalia’s path to economic recovery.
“Finding oil and gas represents a strategic opportunity that will significantly contribute to Somalia’s recovery,” said the President said. “We are fully committed to managing these resources responsibly, reflecting the interests of the Somali people,” he added.
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The exploitation of the commercially viable oil would be a game changer in Somalia's economic recovery; adding its name to the list of oil producing countries in Africa.
The two leaders also announced that offshore oil exploration in Somalia will also commence next year, expressing confidence of positive findings.
Mohamud and his host, Erdogan, also discussed efforts to strengthen relationship between Somalia and Turkey in various sectors, with particular emphasis on trade and security.
President Mohamud is on an official visit to Turkey following an invitation from President Erdogan. During his visit President Mohamud will also discuss the recent recognition of Somaliland region as an independent state by Israel. Turkey is among the many countries that have rejected the recognition and defended Somalia's sovereignty.
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