Turkey expands African energy foothold with Somali agreement

• Reduces reliance on Russia
• Preliminary surveys agreement
• Wider Africa strategy

Turkey is expanding its presence in the Somali energy sector after striking a deal to conduct preliminary surveys for oil and gas deposits across the African country as it seeks to reduce its reliance on energy imports, notably from Russia.

Turkish energy minister Alparslan Bayraktar and his Somali counterpart Dahir Shire Mohamed this week signed an agreement in Ankara opening up three blocks covering 16,000 square kilometres of land for preliminary exploration and survey by Turkey’s state-owned oil and gas firm Turkish Petroleum. 

This search for hydrocarbons is part of Turkey’s efforts to expand its energy sources at home and abroad, and reduce reliance on imports, said Bayraktar, according to Turkish state news agency Anadolu.

“Alongside exploration and production in our own lands and seas, we’re intensifying efforts to add new regions,” he is quoted as saying.

“Advancing our capabilities across diverse geographies is vital for Turkish Petroleum.”

Turkey is already active in the Somali hydrocarbons sector. The Turkish research vessel Oruç Reis was deployed to Somali waters in October to conduct seismic surveys of three offshore blocks covering 15,000 square kilometres for potential oil and gas reserves. 

To date, 78 percent of the survey work has been completed, with Bayraktar saying decisions on drill sites will be made after the assessments are finalised. 

The latest agreement could bring benefits to both sides, said Professor Elem Eyrice Tepeciklioğlu, an African studies expert at the Social Sciences University of Ankara.

“This is a win-win situation,” she told AGBI. “Turkey has been working to diversify and decrease its dependency on Russia for energy while Somalia needs investment into energy research as it cannot cover the costs itself.” 

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Ankara’s interest in Somalia appears to extend beyond hydrocarbons. 

Speaking to Anadolu news agency, Mohamed flagged further cooperation with Turkey, saying that Mogadishu planned to open up its mining sector to foreign investment and partnerships. 

“After completing the necessary legal procedures, we expect Turkish mining companies to come to Somalia and sign agreements,” he said.

The move into the African energy sector, with Turkey also looking to expand into Niger and Senegal, is part of a broader policy to strengthen ties and lift its profile in the strategic Horn of Africa and beyond, said Tepeciklioğlu. 

“Turkey’s relations with Africa should be viewed more comprehensively, not just one aspect of it, such as energy,” she said.

“There is economic and defence cooperation as well, though I believe the energy topic will be talked about a lot in the coming years.”