ANKARA, Turkey — Somalia finalized a wide-ranging cooperation pact with Turkish industrial group OYAK on Tuesday, launching a program to expand and modernize the Horn of Africa nation’s fisheries while strengthening maritime security and creating jobs along its coast.
Somalia’s Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy Ahmed Hassan Adan signed the Cooperation and Marine Production Development Partnership at a ceremony in Ankara, calling it a step-change for the country’s blue economy. The agreement, he said, will channel direct investment into fisheries infrastructure and prioritize sustainable development to protect marine ecosystems.
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The initiative is designed to align Somalia’s fish production with international standards, build domestic processing capacity, and improve the technical skills of Somali fishermen. “This initiative is expected to modernize the fisheries sector and integrate Somali products into the global supply chain,” Adan said.
Officials said the deal pairs sector reforms with security commitments to address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, which has long undermined coastal livelihoods. The partnership also emphasizes job creation for youth and communities along Somalia’s shoreline, where formal employment opportunities are limited and fisheries remain a vital economic lifeline.
The agreement’s initial priorities include:
- Upgrading fish landing sites, cold chain logistics and storage to meet export-grade quality
- Establishing and scaling domestic fish processing industries
- Training and technology transfer to enhance the capacity of Somali fishermen
- Measures to deter illegal fishing and bolster maritime domain awareness
- Programs to create thousands of jobs in coastal communities
Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and the Director General of the Fisheries Ministry, Abdi Dirshe, witnessed the signing. Turkish government representatives from the Ministries of Defense, Agriculture and Forestry, and Foreign Affairs, as well as OYAK executives, attended and described the partnership as strategically important for both countries.
OYAK, a leading industrial conglomerate in Turkey, did not disclose financial terms. But officials from both sides framed the agreement as a platform for sustained investment, technology exchange and market access—positioning Somali seafood to compete internationally while adhering to environmental protections.
Maritime security is central to the plan. Beyond expanding lawful fishing activity, the partnership is expected to support efforts to identify and deter illegal operators, improve monitoring and compliance, and protect Somalia’s marine resources from overexploitation. Officials said that stronger governance and enforcement, coupled with new onshore processing jobs, are intended to stabilize coastal economies and reduce incentives for illicit activity at sea.
Adan praised Turkey’s sustained engagement in Somalia and said the deal reflects growing confidence in the country’s improving security and investment climate. He added that the partnership aligns with Somalia’s broader economic recovery agenda by turning underused marine resources into export-ready value chains.
Turkish officials and OYAK leaders welcomed Somalia’s commitment, highlighting long-standing ties between the countries and shared aims of economic development and job creation. They said the project underlines Turkey’s role as a partner in infrastructure, skills development and industrial expansion in key sectors of the Somali economy.
With the signing complete, the Cooperation and Marine Production Development Partnership moves into implementation, focusing on infrastructure upgrades, capacity-building and market integration. Somali officials said they expect the program to translate into tangible gains for fishers and processors, while advancing environmental stewardship and tightening security on the water.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
