Somalia Seeks Türkiye’s Help for Uranium Extraction

ANKARA – Somalia seeks to strengthen its energy and economic alliance with Türkiye by requesting assistance in exploring and developing its abundant uranium and mineral resources. The initiative marks a significant step in deepening bilateral ties between the two nations, which have grown increasingly strategic in recent years.

At the 2nd Istanbul Natural Resources Summit (INRES 2026), Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dahir Shire Mohamed, highlighted Mogadishu’s intention to advance mining exploration as offshore oil and gas drilling activities increase along the Somali coastline.

“Our country possesses substantial resources beneath the surface,” Minister Mohamed emphasized, noting that the federal government desires enhanced cooperation with Türkiye to develop these minerals. “We aim to extract and utilize them through peaceful, reasonable, and mutually beneficial means.”

Reviving the 2016 Mining Agreement

During bilateral discussions in Istanbul, Minister Mohamed and Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar reviewed plans to accelerate cooperation under a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries. The two nations previously signed a landmark oil and gas cooperation agreement in 2024, granting Türkiye exclusive rights to explore and produce hydrocarbons in Somali waters.

The original agreement establishes collaborative efforts in mineral exploration, geological mapping, technical training, and direct investment in Somalia’s mining industry. Officials from both countries have been engaged in high-level talks to expand cooperation beyond hydrocarbons into solid minerals and mining infrastructure.

“We intend to revisit this MoU to identify potential starting points. We plan to establish a technical committee to analyze available data,” the Somali Minister explained.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, Somalia contains an estimated 10,200 tons of uranium resources, with approximately 7,600 tons considered potentially commercially viable. Furthermore, previous geological assessments have identified substantial, largely unexploited reserves of lithium, copper, titanium, gold, and rare earth elements across northern and central Somalia.

Advances in Offshore Oil Drilling

The mineral development initiative coincides with the active phase of the joint Somali-Turkish hydrocarbons project. After successful seismic surveys conducted by Türkiye’s Oruc Reis research vessel, deep-water drilling began in April at the Curad-1 well using Türkiye’s sophisticated Cagri Bey drilling vessel. Türkiye ratified a landmark energy deal with Somalia in August 2025, formally authorizing the exploration and exploitation of oil and natural gas in three designated offshore blocks.

The offshore drilling operation is projected to continue for six to nine months, contingent on maritime and weather conditions. The arrival of the Oruc Reis seismic vessel in Mogadishu in October 2025 marked a major milestone, with the Somali government granting exploration licenses for offshore blocks to Turkish energy companies.

“We anticipate positive results by year-end,” Minister Mohamed stated, while noting that specific reserve figures remain premature. The government expects favorable outcomes following technical assessments.

A Strategic Partnership Deepens

Türkiye has been a significant development, security, and infrastructure partner for Somalia since 2011, with this mining initiative further deepening economic relations between Mogadishu and Ankara. The two countries have signed multiple military and economic cooperation agreements, including deals on defense industry collaboration, agricultural development, and infrastructure investment.

The partnership has grown to encompass not only security and military cooperation but also substantial economic dimensions. The comprehensive hydrocarbon exploration and production agreement signed in 2024 remains the cornerstone of energy cooperation, with Turkish companies playing an increasingly central role in Somalia’s resource development strategy.

Somalia’s federal government views the extraction of both offshore hydrocarbons and onshore mineral deposits as essential to achieving long term economic growth, reducing dependence on international aid, and creating employment opportunities. The renewed focus on mineral exploration, particularly uranium and rare earth elements, positions Somalia as a potentially significant supplier of critical raw materials for global energy transition technologies.