ANKARA/MOGADISHU — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday described Turkey’s ongoing offshore oil and gas exploration activities in Somalia as a “historic milestone,” marking what he said is the first time Ankara has conducted deep-sea drilling operations outside its own territorial waters.
Erdoğan said the mission reflects Turkey’s broader ambition to strengthen its energy independence by securing new sources of hydrocarbons abroad, while expanding its technical and maritime capabilities. He said the deployment in Somali waters demonstrates “growing confidence” in Turkey’s offshore exploration capacity and signals a new phase in its global energy strategy.
The Turkish leader said the operations are being carried out under a strategic cooperation framework between Ankara and Mogadishu, which includes joint efforts in hydrocarbon exploration, maritime security, and capacity building in Somalia’s energy sector. Officials familiar with the arrangement say the initiative also aims to support Somalia in developing its untapped offshore resources.
Somalia, which has Africa’s longest coastline along the Indian Ocean, is widely regarded as a potentially significant frontier for oil and gas exploration, although large-scale commercial discoveries have yet to be confirmed. Analysts note that decades of conflict and limited offshore surveying have left much of the country’s maritime resources largely unexplored.
The Turkish presence in Somalia has expanded significantly over the past decade, evolving from humanitarian and development assistance into deeper security and economic cooperation. Ankara has invested in infrastructure projects in Mogadishu, provided military training support, and strengthened diplomatic ties with Somali authorities.
Energy experts say the current offshore programme could mark one of the most advanced phases of Turkey-Somalia cooperation to date, though they caution that exploration results will depend on geological data, seismic studies, and sustained operational stability in the region.
While both governments have not disclosed detailed timelines or technical specifics of the drilling campaign, officials indicate that initial exploration phases will continue over the coming months, with early findings expected to guide future investment decisions.
If commercially viable reserves are confirmed, the project could significantly reshape Somalia’s economic outlook, potentially generating revenue and attracting further foreign investment. However, observers warn that governance challenges, security conditions, and regulatory frameworks will play a decisive role in determining whether any discoveries translate into long-term economic gains.
