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Somalia Seeks Türkiye's Help to Map and Develop Mineral Reserves

Dawan.Africa • May 27, 2026

Türkiye, 27 May 2026 – Somalia is seeking to expand its strategic partnership with Türkiye into the mining sector, as Mogadishu looks for technical support to map and develop the country’s mineral reserves.

Somali Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Dahir Shire Mohamed told Anadolu Agency that the issue was discussed during a meeting in Istanbul with Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.

Mohamed said the two sides discussed accelerating cooperation under a mining memorandum of understanding signed in 2016.

“We want to review that MoU and see where we can start,” Mohamed said. “At least, to form a technical committee to review the data we have.”

The minister said Somalia has extensive mineral resources, ranging from silica sand to uranium, and that Türkiye’s technical expertise could help map and develop those reserves.

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“Our country has plenty under the ground,” Mohamed said. “We want to extract and develop them in a peaceful, reasonable, and friendly way.”

The renewed focus on mining comes as Somalia and Türkiye deepen their energy cooperation, including offshore oil and gas exploration. Mohamed said Somalia expects positive results by the end of the year from ongoing deepwater drilling operations with Türkiye.

He said cooperation between the two countries has moved from humanitarian support and security assistance into strategic sectors such as hydrocarbons, mining, trade and investment.

Mohamed said developing Somalia’s natural resources could support economic growth, create jobs and strengthen the country’s long-term development, while also helping build local expertise through training and knowledge transfer.

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Nigeria and Turkey Strengthen Mining Ties Amid Security Concerns Nigeria and Turkey signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 26, 2026, to enhance cooperation in Nigeria's solid minerals sector, which has an estimated $750 billion in untapped potential. The agreement aims to improve mining technology, geological exploration, and capacity building. Nigeria's Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, emphasized the importance of this partnership for attracting foreign investment, especially as the country seeks alternatives to oil revenue. The Nigerian government is also intensifying efforts against illegal mining, with over 300 illegal operators arrested and more than 100 sites reclaimed. Turkey's Minister of Energy, Alparslan Bayraktar, described the partnership as strategic, especially in light of global energy uncertainties. This agreement reflects a broader trend of African nations tightening control over natural resources to ensure domestic benefits. 5 sources 46

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