Somalia spaceport project draws scrutiny over Türkiye’s strategic ambitions

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Sept 13 — A planned space-launch facility in Somalia has come under political scrutiny over Türkiye’s strategic ambitions in the country, with an Emirati news outlet raising questions about whether the project could have uses beyond its stated civilian purpose.

The facility is planned near Warshiikh in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region, about 70 km (43 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu. Work on the project began in October 2025 on land allocated to Türkiye under bilateral agreements, according to a report published on Sunday by Voice of Emirates.

The project, estimated by the report to cost about $350 million, is officially focused on civilian space cooperation between Somalia and Türkiye. Its location near the equator could offer technical advantages for launching satellites by reducing fuel requirements.

Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Alper Aktaş has said Somalia’s first satellite is expected to be launched from the facility in 2027, the report said.

But the project has prompted questions over ownership, financing and the extent of Somalia’s technological involvement.

Voice of Emirates cited analytical reports alleging that the facility could have dual-use capabilities and potentially support Türkiye’s efforts to develop an independent satellite-launch industry.

The report further alleged that the site could potentially be used for ballistic missile testing linked to Türkiye’s defence industry, including weapons with ranges of up to 2,000 km.

Neither the Somali government nor Turkish authorities have publicly confirmed that the planned facility will be used for ballistic missile testing or other military purposes.

The project comes as Türkiye’s expanding role in Somalia faces increased political scrutiny. Ankara has developed close ties with Mogadishu and has provided military training, equipment and other security assistance to Somali government forces.

The two countries have also expanded cooperation in infrastructure, energy, defence and other sectors.

The report linked the controversy over the spaceport to broader political tensions surrounding Türkiye’s role in Somalia. It said protests had been held in Puntland, Jubaland and South West state, including demonstrations where Turkish flags were burned.

Those protests followed unverified allegations that Turkish drones had been involved in airstrikes in areas including Doolow. The Somali federal government and Türkiye have denied direct political or military interference, according to the report.

The allegations have added to an increasingly sensitive debate over foreign military involvement in Somalia as the government faces political disputes with opposition factions and regional administrations.

For Türkiye, the proposed spaceport could support its ambitions to develop an independent launch capability and enter the commercial space market, according to the sources.

For Somalia, the project has been presented as an opportunity to develop a national space programme and gain access to satellite technology.

The facility’s location on Somalia’s Indian Ocean coast also gives the project strategic significance, particularly as competition over security and influence grows across the Horn of Africa and the wider Red Sea region.

The extent of Somalia’s ownership and financial and technological participation in the project has not been publicly detailed.

For now, the project remains officially described as a civilian space initiative, while claims that it could also serve military purposes remain unverified.

GAROWE ONLINE