Somalia, Türkiye agree on Port of Mogadishu upgrades to boost trade, revenue
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia and Türkiye have agreed to develop new infrastructure projects at the Port of Mogadishu to expand trade, raise state revenue and improve efficiency at the country’s main maritime gateway, officials said Wednesday.
- Advertisement -
The agreement followed talks in Mogadishu with a senior Turkish delegation led by Durmuş Ünüvar, Türkiye’s deputy minister of transport and infrastructure, signaling a renewed phase of cooperation centered on ports, maritime services and economic development. Somalia’s minister of ports and maritime transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, hosted the discussions.
Nur called Türkiye a strategic partner and said the government is pursuing practical, high-impact investments that modernize port operations while delivering tangible economic gains. He noted that the Port of Mogadishu is critical to national revenue and to the flow of essential imports that underpin the economy.
Ünüvar welcomed the talks and said Ankara is committed to deepening a long-standing partnership through infrastructure development and technical cooperation. Accelerating joint agreements, he said, would help drive trade growth and tighten economic ties between the two countries.
After the meeting, Ünüvar, Türkiye’s ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, and senior executives from Albayrak Group — the Turkish company that manages the port — conducted a technical inspection of the facility. The delegation toured the container terminal and cargo handling areas, reviewed recent upgrades and identified zones for further expansion to increase throughput and service reliability.
Ambassador Mohamed Ali Nur said Turkish engagement has been instrumental in turning the Port of Mogadishu into a more modern and dependable hub, and that the visit underscored continued investment and expertise from Türkiye.
Türkiye has been a key partner in Somalia’s post-conflict reconstruction for more than a decade, with investments spanning ports, airports, health care, education and security. The Port of Mogadishu remains a cornerstone of that relationship and a vital asset in Somalia’s efforts to strengthen public finances and build economic resilience.
Officials said the new push will focus on upgrading port infrastructure and expanding maritime services while aligning closely with related sectors, including security, energy and trade facilitation. No detailed timelines or financial figures were disclosed.
- What the talks cover: upgrades to port infrastructure and maritime services at the Port of Mogadishu
- Strategic goal: expand trade capacity, raise government revenue and improve operational efficiency
- Who’s involved: Somalia’s Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport, Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the Turkish Embassy and Albayrak Group
- On-site review: technical inspection of the container terminal and cargo handling zones to map out next steps
- Wider context: part of a broader Somalia–Türkiye partnership spanning infrastructure, security and economic development
Officials framed the talks as the start of a renewed implementation phase aimed at accelerating projects that can deliver measurable improvements at the Mogadishu port. Further announcements are expected as technical teams refine scope and sequencing for the next round of upgrades.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
