By Asma Abdullahi - Reporter
Somalia, 12 June 2025 – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has defended the Federal Government’s partnership with Türkiye in oil exploration, arguing that Somalia must work with investors willing to enter the country’s petroleum sector.
In an interview with Miizaan Podcast of Dawan Media, the president responded to criticism questioning Türkiye’s experience in oil exploration and why it was selected instead of larger international energy companies.
Hassan Sheikh rejected suggestions that Somalia should delay resource development until achieving complete political and security stability.
He argued that political competition exists in every democracy and should not become an obstacle to economic development and investment.
Addressing questions about Türkiye’s involvement, the president asked critics to identify alternative investors willing to undertake exploration activities in Somalia.
“Who else is coming?” he asked, adding that Somalia possesses hundreds of offshore blocks believed to contain petroleum resources and that many areas still require further exploration and development.
The president said successive Somali governments had already awarded exploration blocks to different international companies.
According to Hassan Sheikh, only three of the twelve blocks awarded by his administrations were taken by Turkish entities, while the remaining blocks were allocated to Western companies.
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He also revealed that one company holding seven blocks had recently returned them after indicating it lacked the financial capacity to continue investing.
The president said Somalia remains ready to work with any qualified investor interested in developing the country’s natural resources.
He noted that several major international companies previously held offshore acreage in Somalia but later withdrew their interests.
Hassan Sheikh said the government’s policy is not to exclude investors but to engage with those prepared to invest in Somalia’s petroleum sector.
“We have this resource and we need it,” the president said, arguing that Somalia should take advantage of opportunities to develop its natural wealth.
The remarks come as Somalia continues efforts to attract foreign investment into its hydrocarbons sector and expand offshore exploration activities.