Azerbaijan and Somalia have initiated discussions on potential cooperation in oil and gas exploration, highlighting growing bilateral ties between the two nations.
According to Trend News Agency, the talks were held between the President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Rovshan Najaf, and Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dahir Shire Mohamed.
The meeting builds on the high-level discussions between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on February 12, which laid a strong foundation for expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, particularly in energy.
During the discussions, both parties emphasized the importance of developing human capital within Somalia’s oil and gas sector. SOCAR and the Somali government explored opportunities for training Somali students at the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University. Additionally, capacity-building programs for Somali petroleum professionals were discussed to enhance expertise in the country’s emerging energy sector.
Beyond education and workforce development, the meeting also covered broader collaboration in oil and gas exploration, trading, and other areas of mutual interest. Azerbaijan, with its long-standing experience in the oil and gas industry, is seen as a valuable partner in supporting Somalia’s energy ambitions.
The engagement between SOCAR and Somalia’s Ministry of Petroleum marks a step forward in deepening economic ties and fostering strategic energy partnerships between the two nations. As both countries continue to explore avenues for cooperation, further agreements in the energy sector could be expected in the near future.
