Turkey Aims to Complete Somalia Offshore Drilling Within 6-9 Months: Erdogan

ANKARA, May 23, 2026 - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkey expects to complete its offshore oil drilling operations in Somali waters within six to nine months, provided weather and atmospheric conditions remain favorable.

Erdogan described the operation as holding "historical significance," noting it marks Turkey’s first-ever deep-sea drilling exploration conducted outside its own territory.

"We hope to bring long-awaited good news to the brotherly people of Somalia, who have long struggled with internal instability and famine," Erdogan said during an official event in Ankara.

The Turkish president's remarks come as Ankara and Mogadishu rapidly deepen cooperation across energy, security, and economic sectors. The two nations recently signed landmark agreements concerning the exploration and exploitation of oil and natural gas resources along the Somali coastline.

Over the past decade, Turkey has significantly expanded its footprint in the Horn of Africa nation, heavily investing in infrastructure projects, healthcare, education, and the training of Somali security forces.

The ongoing Turkish-led drilling operations are seen as a critical pillar in the Somali government's efforts to leverage its natural resources to revive an economy long battered by chronic security challenges and recurring humanitarian crises.

GAROWE ONLINE