Mogadishu, Somalia – The Federal Government of Somalia, through the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, hosted a high-level forum this week aimed at unlocking the country’s rich but underutilized marine resources.
The minister, Ahmed Hassan Aden, welcomed a delegation of Somali and South African investors to the event, underscoring Somalia’s commitment to becoming a regional hub for sustainable fisheries and maritime investment.
In his keynote address, Ahmed reaffirmed the government’s readiness to support investors across the fisheries value chain—from modernizing fishing ports and expanding cold storage networks to vessel procurement and infrastructure development.
“Our coastline is one of the longest in Africa, yet remains largely untapped. We are inviting the world—and especially Somali entrepreneurs—to seize this opportunity,” he said.
He further announced that Somalia has finalized critical regulatory frameworks that enhance transparency, investment security, and scalability in the sector. These policies are intended to encourage both domestic and international partnerships under a protected legal environment.
One of the forum’s key highlights was the announcement that China has officially lifted domestic tariffs on seafood imports from Somalia. The new policy will allow Somali-owned and joint-venture companies to export seafood products to the Chinese market tariff-free.
“This is a transformational opportunity. Our entrepreneurs must step forward and lead the growth of a prosperous and sustainable blue economy,” said the minister.
The forum is part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to attract global capital and technical expertise to develop the fisheries sector, which the government sees as a cornerstone of Somalia’s long-term economic growth and resilience.
With global interest rising and strategic reforms underway, Somalia is positioning itself as a serious player in the Indian Ocean seafood trade—offering investment returns, regional trade advantages, and sustainable development potential.