Mogadishu, Somalia — Somalia’s Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Ahmed Hassan Aden, and China’s Ambassador to Somalia, Wang Yu, have signed an agreement granting Somali fishery products duty-free access to the Chinese market, in a move aimed at expanding seafood exports and strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement is expected to create new opportunities for Somalia’s fisheries industry by improving access to international markets, attracting investment in fish processing, storage and cold-chain infrastructure, and supporting employment across the sector. It is also expected to contribute to the growth of Somalia’s blue economy by promoting the sustainable use of the country’s marine resources.
Somalia has one of Africa’s longest coastlines, stretching along the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, with vast marine resources and significant potential for fisheries development. However, the sector has faced challenges including limited infrastructure, inadequate processing facilities and restricted access to global markets.
The Somali government has identified fisheries as a key area for economic growth and is working to modernise the sector, improve exports and create more opportunities for coastal communities. The new agreement with China represents a step towards expanding trade links and increasing the role of fisheries in Somalia’s economy.
