Somalia, Turkey’s OYAK sign deal to develop fisheries and maritime sector
Minister Ahmed said the agreement reflects Somalia's policy choice to move beyond reliance on raw resource exports by building a fisheries sector that is structured and regulated.
Somalia and Turkey’s OYAK Group have entered into a partnership to reshape Somalia’s fisheries and maritime sector through a cooperation framework focused on production, processing, skills transfer, and governance.
The agreement was signed in Ankara by Somalia’s Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Ahmed Hassan Adan, and representatives of the OYAK Group.
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The agreement establishes a Marine Production Development Partnership that seeks to raise fish output to levels accepted by global markets while creating systems that allow more processing to take place inside Somalia rather than exporting fish in raw form.
Officials from both sides said the framework reflects a shared intention to build a fisheries system that follows rules, relies on planning, and links production to markets through organised supply chains.
Under the terms of the partnership, OYAK will support the establishment of fish processing facilities in Somalia and take part in programmes aimed at improving the skills and technical knowledge of Somali fishermen.
The project also includes plans to channel investment toward ports, cold storage facilities, and other forms of infrastructure linked to fishing activities, with sustainability identified as a guiding principle for all stages of implementation.
Minister Ahmed said the agreement reflects Somalia's policy choice to move beyond reliance on raw resource exports by building a fisheries sector that is structured and regulated.
He said the government aims to protect marine ecosystems and create income and employment through systems that allow better management of resources and clearer distribution of benefits.
He added that coastal communities are expected to play a central role in the project and to gain from increased access to jobs and services.
The signing ceremony was attended by Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and the Director General of the Ministry of Fisheries, Abdi Dirshe.
Officials present noted that coordination between institutions responsible for fisheries and maritime transport will be necessary to ensure that production, processing, and export activities function within a shared policy framework and do not operate in isolation.
Security at sea forms a core component of the cooperation framework, with specific provisions aimed at addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in Somali waters.
Somali officials said such practices have caused losses to local fishermen and reduced trust in state oversight for many years. Through improved monitoring, information sharing, and enforcement support, the partners said they aim to protect fish stocks and support lawful fishing activities.
The project is expected to generate employment across several stages of the fisheries value chain, including fishing, processing, storage, transport, and support services.
“This initiative is expected to modernise the fisheries sector and integrate Somali products into the global supply chain,” he said during the event.
The minister also added that the agreement reflects confidence by OYAK and Turkish institutions in Somalia’s security situation and reform agenda.
He said such cooperation sends a signal to other investors that Somalia is open to partnerships that focus on production, regulation, and shared benefit rather than short-term extraction.
Representatives from Turkey’s ministries responsible for defence, agriculture and forestry, and foreign affairs, along with senior figures from OYAK, said the partnership strengthens cooperation between the two countries and builds on existing ties. They said the initiative aligns with shared goals related to economic growth, stability, and regional cooperation.
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