Somali Prime Minister hails Türkiye’s offshore drilling as start of economic transformation

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s prime minister on Monday hailed Türkiye’s launch of a deep-sea drilling mission off the Horn of Africa nation’s coast as a historic step that could jump-start long-promised economic change.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre welcomed the deployment of Türkiye’s drillship Cagri Bey, which has set sail for Mogadishu to begin Ankara’s first offshore oil and gas exploration outside its own maritime zone. Turkish officials say the vessel is scheduled to start drilling in April at the Curad-1 well.

“Today, with Cagri Bey, we may be witnessing the beginning of something greater — the opening chapter of real economic transformation,” Barre wrote on his official X account. “Generations of our people have grown up hearing that Somalia is rich in resources; yet for decades they have waited to see that promise fulfilled. That wait is ending. Better days are on the horizon.”

Barre thanked the Turkish government and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for selecting Somalia for the mission, calling the decision “a symbol of trust crossing distances and a testament to the evolving partnership between Türkiye and Somalia, rooted in brotherhood and a shared belief in a better tomorrow.”

Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar described the deployment as a “historic moment” in Ankara’s oil and gas strategy. Speaking at a ceremony at Taşucu port in Türkiye’s southern Mersin province, he said Cagri Bey would commence drilling at the Curad-1 prospect following its arrival in Somali waters.

The ship departed Taşucu on Sunday and is expected to reach Mogadishu in roughly 45 days before moving to the designated offshore site, according to Turkish and Somali officials.

Somalia and Türkiye signed energy agreements in 2024 covering both onshore and offshore exploration. As part of preparatory work, the Turkish seismic research vessel Oruç Reis completed surveys in three offshore blocks last year, providing data to guide exploratory drilling.

The offshore campaign is the most advanced step yet in Somalia’s bid to formally develop potential hydrocarbon resources after years of interest from international firms and policymakers. While commercial prospects are unproven, the government in Mogadishu sees the effort as central to a broader strategy to boost revenue, create jobs and reduce dependence on external aid.

The move also underscores the deepening strategic relationship between Somalia and Türkiye, which has expanded over the past decade across defense, infrastructure, education and now energy. Turkish entities have been active in Mogadishu’s port and airport operations, while Ankara has trained Somali security forces and provided humanitarian support.

Analysts say the outcome of the Curad-1 well — and subsequent drilling — will hinge on subsurface geology as well as operational, security and regulatory factors. Environmental safeguards and transparent resource governance are likely to draw close attention from Somalis and international partners as activity accelerates offshore.

What to know

• Drillship: Cagri Bey, Türkiye’s deep-sea drilling vessel
• Timeline: Departed Taşucu, Türkiye; arrival in Mogadishu expected in about 45 days
• First target: Curad-1 offshore well, with drilling slated to begin in April
• Agreements: Türkiye and Somalia signed onshore/offshore exploration deals in 2024
• Preparatory work: Seismic surveys completed by the Oruç Reis in three offshore blocks

Somalia’s leaders have repeatedly framed resource development as a lever for long-term stability and growth after decades of conflict and underinvestment. Monday’s launch gives that ambition a tangible timeline. Whether it can deliver on the promise Barre invoked — “the opening chapter of real economic transformation” — will become clearer once the drill bit hits the seabed.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.