Turkey’s energy minister said on Monday that Ankara and Mogadishu are preparing to announce the results of ongoing oil and gas exploration activities in Somalia, following talks held ahead of an official visit by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Turkey’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, met Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dahir Shire Mohamed, in Ankara to review the status of Turkey-led hydrocarbon exploration in Somalia’s onshore and offshore areas.
Bayraktar said the discussions focused on operational progress and planning for the next phase of exploration under bilateral energy cooperation agreements.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to attend the formal announcement of exploration results during the Somali leader’s visit to Turkey, according to officials.
Turkey has expanded its energy engagement with Somalia in recent years, positioning the Horn of Africa nation as a key partner in Ankara’s Africa strategy. The exploration programme covers both offshore blocks along Somalia’s coastline and onshore prospects.
“As Turkey, we see Somalia as one of our key partners in Africa,” Bayraktar said in a statement, adding that energy cooperation forms a central pillar of bilateral relations.
Somalia, which has long sought foreign investment to develop its largely untapped hydrocarbon potential, signed energy cooperation agreements with Turkey aimed at accelerating exploration while strengthening economic ties.
Officials said further details on exploration findings and future operations would be released following the presidential-level announcement.