By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
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Mogadishu – Somalia has sent 11 Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources employees to Malaysia for specialized training in oil drilling and production operations.
The participants were selected from a pool of more than 300 ministry employees, making them the first group to be sent abroad for training in oil and gas.
The Chairman of the Somali Petroleum Authority, Abdulqadir Adan Mahmud, said the initiative marks the beginning of a broader program aimed at developing a skilled Somali workforce, adding that additional groups will follow in the coming months.
The training in Malaysia will focus on safety and security, management of oil drilling sites, and international standards governing petroleum exploration and production.The move comes as Somalia enters a new phase in its energy sector following the start of drilling operations at the country's first offshore oil well. Turkish drilling vessels began operations at the Curad-1 well in April 2026, approximately 370 kilometers off the coast of Mogadishu, in what is widely viewed as a historic milestone that could pave the way for Somalia's first commercial oil production.
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Abdulqadir Adan Mahmud said the government is prioritizing the development of Somali professionals who will eventually take on key roles in managing the country's petroleum resources.
"We have sent young Somalis to Malaysia to learn skills related to oil drilling operations," he said.
Government officials believe the training program is part of a long-term strategy to ensure Somalis play a leading role in managing and benefiting from the country's oil and gas resources as the sector continues to develop.