President Mohamud defends Somalia’s Türkiye oil pact amid vast reserves, domestic criticism, and hopes for economic transformation.
Somalia–Türkiye Oil Deal: Strategic or Controversial?
MOGADISHU, Somalia – July 2025 – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has strongly defended Somalia’s recent oil and gas cooperation agreement with Türkiye, framing it as a critical step toward economic recovery and sovereignty.
The deal comes amid growing global interest in Somalia’s vast hydrocarbon reserves and longstanding geopolitical competition in the Horn of Africa.
🛢️ Strategic Energy Pact Amid Regional Pressures
On March 7, 2024, Somalia and Türkiye signed an intergovernmental agreement in Istanbul granting Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) exclusive exploration and production rights in three offshore blocks—two of which are 50 km off the Somali coast, with the third 100 km offshore.
“Our priority remains safeguarding Somalia’s natural resources,” President Mohamud said, “while leveraging international partnerships to accelerate our economic recovery.”
This deal is viewed as part of Somalia’s broader economic strategy, aimed at strengthening resource governance and reducing dependency on foreign aid.
🌍 Somalia’s Undiscovered Wealth: 100 Billion Barrels?
Multiple energy assessments suggest Somalia may be sitting on as much as 100 billion barrels of oil and gas, primarily in offshore blocks along the Indian Ocean coast. Decades of civil conflict and instability have left these resources largely untapped.
The Somali Petroleum Law of 2020 set a modern legal framework for transparent resource management and international partnerships.
📌 Related Read: Why Somalia’s Indian Ocean reserves matter geopolitically
🏛️ A History of Global Oil Interest
International oil majors like Chevron, Eni, ExxonMobil, and Shell explored Somalia as early as the 1950s. These activities halted in 1991 following the outbreak of civil war.
Interest revived in 2022 when Coastline Exploration signed agreements for seven offshore blocks, marking a turning point in international investor confidence.
🗣️ Domestic Pushback: Transparency and Sovereignty Concerns
Critics within Somalia—ranging from opposition leaders to civil society groups—have questioned the transparency of the Türkiye deal, warning against disproportionate gains for foreign entities.
In defense, Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Abdirizak Omar Mohamed, clarified that the agreement is a Cooperation Framework, not yet a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).
“The PSA will define revenue-sharing and governance structures,” Mohamed stated. “No exploitation can happen without it.”
📌 Internal Link: How Somalia manages foreign investment in oil
🤝 Türkiye’s Deepening Role in Somalia
Türkiye’s involvement in Somalia extends well beyond hydrocarbons:
- 🇹🇷 Since 2011, Türkiye has invested in education, infrastructure, and healthcare
- 🇹🇷 In 2017, it opened its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu
- 🇹🇷 It remains one of Somalia’s top humanitarian partners
📌 Explore: Türkiye–Somalia bilateral ties
🔮 Outlook: Somalia’s Energy Future and Geopolitical Leverage
As Somalia pursues economic self-reliance, the Türkiye partnership represents a bold attempt to transform natural wealth into national opportunity.
While domestic scrutiny remains, the government insists the deal adheres to international standards and aligns with Somalia’s long-term development goals.
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