Yinchuan, China – Somali Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre has declared that Somalia aims to position itself as a strategic hub connecting Africa, the Arab world, and Asia. His remarks came during a keynote address at the opening of the 7th China-Arab States Expo held in the Chinese city of Yinchuan on Thursday.
The Prime Minister highlighted Somalia’s new development trajectory, underscoring reforms that focus on peace, security, legal modernization, and attracting foreign investment.
“Somalia aspires to become a vital crossroads linking Africa, the Arab world, and Asia, leveraging its strategic geographic location and natural resources. We are prioritizing cooperation in energy, agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure, and technology,” Prime Minister Hamsa said.
Hamsa revealed that trade between Somalia and China has grown significantly, noting a 20 percent increase over the past year. He emphasized that this growth reflects a strengthening economic partnership between the two nations.
He also drew attention to the deep-rooted diplomatic relationship between Mogadishu and Beijing, recalling that Somalia was the first African country to establish diplomatic ties with China in 1960.
Somalia’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub is closely tied to its strategic location along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, a vital corridor for global trade and energy routes. The country’s untapped resources in energy, agriculture, and fisheries have increasingly attracted interest from foreign investors, particularly as Somalia continues to stabilize after decades of conflict.
China, for its part, has steadily expanded its engagement in Africa through infrastructure, trade, and investment initiatives linked to its Belt and Road strategy. Somalia’s participation in the China-Arab States Expo reflects Mogadishu’s push to align with this broader framework and secure greater economic integration.
The Prime Minister’s speech in Yinchuan signals Somalia’s intent to redefine its global economic role and deepen its partnerships beyond traditional allies. Whether Mogadishu can translate its aspirations into tangible outcomes will depend on sustaining peace, strengthening institutions, and building investor confidence. For China and the Arab world, Somalia’s geostrategic location and resources present opportunities that, if harnessed effectively, could reshape the Horn of Africa’s economic future.
