Turkey has taken a historic step in space exploration by launching construction of its first overseas spaceport in Somalia, marking a major milestone in Ankara’s National Space Program and deepening strategic ties between the two countries.
Speaking on the project, Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır said the spaceport will enable Turkey to conduct independent satellite launches and support the development of a domestic space ecosystem, including rocket engines, propulsion systems, avionics, and other critical aerospace technologies.
The facility will be strategically located near the equator, a position that offers technical advantages for space launches due to lower fuel requirements, favorable weather conditions, and minimal air and sea traffic. Turkish officials say the spaceport is expected to serve the global commercial launch market, generate revenue, and contribute to Somalia’s economic development.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the project reflects Turkey’s growing technological ambitions and its expanding partnership with Somalia. He also announced that Turkey plans to begin offshore drilling operations in Somalia in 2026, describing the move as one that would “significantly benefit the Somali people.”
Addressing Turkey’s expanding energy capabilities, Erdoğan revealed that two new deep-sea drilling vessels-Çağrı Bey and Yıldırım, have been added to Turkey’s fleet. The vessels will be deployed separately, with one operating off the coast of Somalia and the other in the Black Sea.
At a joint press briefing in Istanbul alongside President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Erdoğan said that substantial progress has already been made in exploring Somalia’s offshore oil and gas resources. He noted that technical and scientific assessments conducted so far have yielded positive results, describing the findings as “an important milestone in Somalia’s economic recovery and long-term development and prosperity.”
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed the developments, emphasizing that the spaceport and energy cooperation underscore Somalia’s growing role in regional and global strategic initiatives, while reinforcing its partnership with Turkey across technology, energy, and development sectors.
The announcements signal a significant expansion of Turkey’s footprint in space technology and energy exploration, while positioning Somalia as a key partner in high-tech infrastructure and resource development in the Horn of Africa.
Mustaqbal
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