The Somali government has said it wants to strengthen cooperation with Turkey to develop the country’s uranium and other natural resources, according to a report published by Business Insider Africa.
Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dahir Shire Mohamed, said Somalia has abundant natural resources, including uranium, lithium, copper, titanium, gold and other valuable minerals, many of which have yet to be fully explored.
According to data from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, Somalia is estimated to have more than 10,200 tons of uranium, of which about 7,600 tons are considered commercially exploitable.
Minister Dahir Shire said the Somali government wants these resources to be developed in a peaceful, friendly manner, and in line with the country’s interests.
Talks between Somali and Turkish officials in Istanbul focused on reviving a mining cooperation agreement signed by the two countries in 2016. The agreement covers mineral exploration, geo-mapping, technical training and investment cooperation.
Turkey has significantly increased its influence in Somalia in recent years, investing in security, trade, education, energy and infrastructure. The new mining partnership is part of Ankara’s efforts to expand its role in Africa’s natural resources.
The Business Insider Africa report also said that Turkey recently signed a mining deal with Nigeria, indicating Ankara’s growing interest in Africa’s key minerals, amid intensifying global competition for uranium and other strategic minerals.
