Somalia, Turkey forge stronger ties with Fisheries Cooperation Agreement

SOMALIA – Somalia’s Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Ahmed Hassan Adan, recently welcomed a Turkish delegation to Mogadishu, culminating in the signing of a landmark Fisheries Cooperation Agreement to unlock the untapped potential of Somalia’s vast marine resources.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration that is expected to drive sustainable economic growth, create employment opportunities, and open up new markets for Somali fish exports.

With one of Africa’s longest coastlines and rich marine biodiversity, Somalia holds immense potential for the fishing industry, which has remained largely underdeveloped.

Minister Adan emphasised the significance of this partnership, highlighting Turkey’s role in providing both technical expertise and financial investment. 

He noted that the agreement aligns with Somalia’s broader economic diversification efforts and would be pivotal in revitalising the fisheries and blue economy sectors.

As Somalia seeks to expand its exports, the Turkish delegation has pledged support in infrastructure development, fish processing, and marketing. 

These efforts are expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue for Somalia’s economy while bolstering international trade ties between the two nations.

In related developments, Somalia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi Ports Group. 

This agreement is set to revolutionise the country’s fishing and port sectors by developing critical infrastructure, constructing fishing ports, establishing marine monitoring stations, and launching a state-of-the-art training centre to enhance fishing skills nationwide.

Speaking on the partnership, Abu Dhabi Ports Group CEO Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi reaffirmed the group’s commitment to Somalia’s economic growth. 

“We aim to explore opportunities to support Somalia by establishing investment and cooperation plans,” he stated, underlining the group’s focus on fostering a collaborative approach to expanding Somalia’s maritime services and fisheries sector.

Minister Adan welcomed the MoU, noting its potential to transform coastal communities by creating employment opportunities, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and unlocking the nation’s vast blue economy potential. 

Despite Somalia’s capacity to sustainably harvest over 200,000 metric tons of fish annually, current production remains far below this threshold.

In 2022, artisanal fishermen produced only 6,000 metric tons, while foreign industrial vessels harvested an estimated 13,000 tons—many of which went underreported.

Somalia is implementing key reforms to address these challenges, including the Somali Fisheries Law and establishing an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). These measures regulate fishing activities, protect marine ecosystems, and attract foreign investment. 

Abu Dhabi Ports Group’s involvement further strengthens Somalia’s ambitions, given its port development and logistics expertise across Africa, including in Egypt, Angola, and Tanzania.

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