MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre welcomed a high-level Turkish delegation in Mogadishu on Sunday, in a meeting that highlighted Ankara’s expanding footprint in Somalia — from military support and economic investment to ambitious technological projects, Arlaadi Media Network reports.
The delegation, led by Ambassador Ali Onaner, Director of the Africa Department at Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, and including Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Alper Aktaş, met with the prime minister to discuss ways to deepen cooperation on security, governance and development.
The Somali government said the talks focused on strengthening joint counter-terrorism efforts against al-Shabaab, which continues to destabilize large parts of the country and carry out attacks near key infrastructure and transit routes.
Prime Minister Barre thanked Turkey for its “consistent and unwavering support,” calling Ankara a strategic partner in Somalia’s efforts to build stronger security institutions and protect its sovereignty. Ambassador Onaner said Turkey would continue supporting Somalia and expanding cooperation across military training and development programs.
From Ports to Satellites
Turkey’s influence in Somalia has steadily grown in recent years, evolving from humanitarian and reconstruction work into a broader strategic partnership. Ankara’s presence is now visible in multiple sectors, including security, maritime infrastructure, energy, and technology.
Turkey has played a major role in strengthening Somalia’s security forces through training and logistical support, while maintaining a naval presence in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea. The Turkish parliament recently extended its naval mission in Somali waters, signaling Ankara’s long-term commitment to maritime security in the region.
On the economic side, Turkish firms have been involved in modernizing key infrastructure such as Mogadishu Port, Somalia’s primary trade gateway. Ankara has also moved into the blue economy, supporting fisheries and maritime resource management to curb illegal fishing and promote sustainable development.
Beyond Somalia, Turkey’s regional engagement has intensified, placing Ankara at the center of a shifting geopolitical landscape where global powers compete for influence across the Horn of Africa.
The Spaceport Project
The most eye-catching part of the partnership is Turkey’s planned spaceport in Somalia, a project that aims to turn Somalia into a launch hub for satellites and aerospace operations.
The project has moved beyond the drawing board, with feasibility and design work completed and the first phase of construction reportedly underway along Somalia’s Indian Ocean coast. Officials say the site was chosen for its proximity to the equator, which offers technical advantages for launching spacecraft.
Somali leaders have described the spaceport as a transformative investment that could bring jobs, technology transfer, and a new global identity for the country. Turkey sees it as a strategic asset for its own space ambitions, offering a launch site beyond its borders and a foothold in the African space economy.
But the project’s location is not far from regions where al-Shabaab continues to operate and carry out attacks, including areas near major transport routes and infrastructure development zones. Recent militant activity in regions such as Middle Shabelle has raised concerns about the security of the construction sites and the safety of workers and transport corridors.
The juxtaposition is stark: a cutting-edge space facility rising in a country still fighting an insurgency that regularly strikes near major highways and districts close to Mogadishu. Somali authorities and international partners, including Turkey, say they are stepping up security measures, combining military operations with intelligence sharing and enhanced training for Somali forces.
Ankara has also increased its military support in recent years, including deploying attack helicopters and expanding naval operations off Somalia’s coast. The spaceport project, analysts say, reflects Turkey’s broader ambition to cement its strategic presence in the region — even as Somalia’s security situation remains fragile.
