Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has described Turkey’s ongoing offshore oil exploration project along Somalia’s coastline as a “historic operation,” saying Ankara expects results within the next six to nine months if weather and sea conditions remain favourable.
Speaking about the project, Erdoğan said the drilling campaign marks the first deep-sea offshore oil exploration mission carried out by Turkey outside its own territory, underlining Ankara’s expanding strategic and economic footprint in Somalia.
The Turkish leader said the exploration process was progressing smoothly and expressed optimism that the operation could uncover commercially viable oil reserves off the Somali coast.
“Our hope is to deliver good news to the brotherly Somali people, who have endured years of instability and famine,” Erdoğan said, referring to the long-awaited prospect of Somalia benefiting from its untapped natural resources.
The project is considered one of the most significant energy ventures currently underway in the Horn of Africa and could reshape Somalia’s economic future if substantial oil deposits are discovered.
Turkey has in recent years deepened its ties with Somalia through investments in infrastructure, security cooperation, education and trade, becoming one of Mogadishu’s closest international partners.
The offshore drilling initiative reflects Ankara’s growing ambition to expand its influence across Africa while securing access to new energy opportunities abroad.
For Somalia, the exploration campaign represents a potentially transformative development for a country seeking to rebuild its economy after decades of conflict and political instability.
Energy analysts say the discovery of commercially exploitable offshore reserves could generate major revenues for Somalia, strengthen state institutions and attract further foreign investment. However, experts also warn that transparent management and political stability will be critical to ensuring any future oil wealth benefits the wider population.
The Horn of Africa nation is believed to possess significant untapped offshore hydrocarbon reserves, although large-scale commercial production has yet to begin.
