MOGADISHU – The Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy of the Federal Government of Somalia, Ahmed Hassan Aden, convened a significant meeting in Mogadishu with Dr. Andrew Mold, Director for East Africa at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), to advance Somalia’s blue economy objectives and enhance collaboration between the Ministry and UNECA.
The dialogue centered on advancing Somalia’s blue economy agenda and strengthening cooperation between the Ministry and UNECA. Both parties also examined advancements in the Blue Economy Valuation Study and considered the implementation of the Blue Economy Valuation Toolkit (BEVTK). The meeting highlighted the significance of data-driven methods for evaluating the worth of Somalia’s ocean resources and encouraging sustainable development, investment, and expansion within the nation’s maritime sector.
Somalia possesses Africa’s longest coastline at over 3,300 kilometers, offering immense potential for fisheries, maritime transport, and marine biodiversity conservation. Yet decades of instability and limited infrastructure have hindered full utilization of these resources.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has officially laid the foundation stone for the new headquarters of the Ministry of Fisheries in Mogadishu, describing the blue economy as “the country’s future” and emphasizing that the new facility will serve not only as an administrative center but also as a modern hub for research, innovation, and capacity building.
Somalia’s State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Yusuf Mohamed Waliid, has also held key meetings with UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Christopher Laker to explore avenues for expanding cooperation in the blue economy sector, emphasizing its critical role in creating jobs, enhancing food security, and driving sustainable economic growth.
The Director General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Abdi Dirshe, officially opened a workshop organized in partnership with UNECA to review and validate Somalia’s Blue Economy Assessment Study. The study seeks to provide a scientific assessment of the true value of Somalia’s marine resources, with the aim of strengthening the blue economy, creating employment opportunities, and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Minister Ahmed Hassan Aden has signed a landmark agreement with Türkiye’s OYAK group to revitalize the country’s fishing industry, aiming to attract significant foreign investment, create employment opportunities for Somali youth, and clamp down on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in Somali waters.
Minister Aden hosted a high-level forum aimed at unlocking the country’s rich but underutilized marine resources, announcing that China has officially lifted domestic tariffs on seafood imports from Somalia, allowing Somali-owned and joint-venture companies to export seafood products to the Chinese market tariff-free.
Japan and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization have launched a new fisheries development initiative in Mogadishu, focusing on enhancing infrastructure, improving resource management services, and creating greater economic opportunities for coastal communities.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has previously held talks on the Centennial Vision 2060 with top UN representatives, including Ms. Mama Keita, Director of the Sub-Regional Office for East Africa of UNECA, discussing the final phase of CV2060 in which Somalia seeks to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2060. The blue economy is recognized as a cornerstone of Somalia’s long-term development vision under the National Development Plan and the broader UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Both sides agreed to establish joint mechanisms to assess key blue economy priorities and identify support mechanisms. The Blue Economy Valuation Toolkit is expected to guide policies and investments in the fisheries and maritime sectors while promoting the protection and sustainable use of the country’s marine environment.
With global interest rising and strategic reforms underway, Somalia is positioning itself as a serious player in the Indian Ocean seafood trade, offering investment returns, regional trade advantages, and sustainable development potential.
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