Mogadishu – Somalia has officially endorsed a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye and a coalition of African coastal nations. The agreement aims to enhance cooperation in strengthening regional transport connectivity across Africa’s coastal corridor.
The MoU, which was initially signed during a high-level meeting of transport ministers from Türkiye and various African coastal states, represents a significant milestone in regional infrastructure development. It outlines joint efforts to improve maritime and land-based transport networks, promote intermodal connectivity, and facilitate smoother trade and logistics flows between the participating countries.
Somalia’s endorsement signals its growing commitment to regional integration and development partnerships. It also aligns with the country’s strategic vision to modernize its transport sector and better connect its ports and infrastructure to regional and global trade routes.
Speaking on the development, Somali officials expressed optimism about the benefits of the agreement, citing improved investment opportunities, technology transfer, and capacity building. They noted that closer cooperation with Türkiye—a long-standing strategic partner—would contribute significantly to Somalia’s recovery and long-term economic growth.
Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure emphasized the importance of the agreement in fostering South-South cooperation, boosting sustainable infrastructure, and supporting the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) objectives.
The endorsed MoU provides a framework for collaborative projects, including port modernization, road and rail development, training of transport personnel, and harmonization of regulatory standards across coastal countries. Somalia is expected to actively engage in upcoming technical working groups to operationalize the agreement and identify priority projects.
This move follows a broader trend of increased diplomatic and infrastructural cooperation between Türkiye and Africa, as Ankara continues to deepen its influence on the continent through economic and developmental initiatives.
