Mogadishu, Somalia – Japan, Somalia, and the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have launched a new partnership aimed at transforming Somalia’s fisheries sector and improving the livelihoods of vulnerable coastal communities.
The two-year, $2 million project was formalized in September through an agreement signed by Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Matsuura and FAO Somalia Representative Etienne Peterschmitt. The initiative underscores Japan’s growing commitment to Somalia’s long-term development, focusing on sustainable fisheries management, job creation, and food security.
For decades, Somalia’s vast coastline — one of Africa’s longest — has remained an underutilized economic asset. Years of conflict, limited infrastructure, and the impacts of climate change have left many coastal communities struggling to survive despite the country’s abundant marine resources.
The new project aims to change that by modernizing fish processing and storage facilities, training local fishermen in sustainable practices, and providing essential equipment to improve safety at sea. It also seeks to enhance value chains and create opportunities for women and youth working in the fisheries industry.
The collaboration builds on years of FAO’s engagement in Somalia’s coastal areas, where small-scale fishers have faced challenges ranging from illegal fishing to post-harvest losses. By introducing modern techniques and improving access to markets, the project is expected to reduce waste, increase income, and strengthen community resilience.
Japan’s support also reflects a broader vision of partnership with African nations under the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) framework, which promotes sustainable growth through local empowerment.
For many Somali families living along the coast, this initiative represents more than financial assistance — it is a promise of renewed dignity and opportunity in a region where the ocean remains both a source of life and livelihood.
As the program takes shape, communities from Kismayo to Bosaso are expected to see tangible improvements in income generation and food availability — a step toward turning Somalia’s blue economy into a pillar of national recovery and self-reliance.