Author
Abdulkarim Yusuf Abdulle
Abstract
Somalia occupied a secondary status in Turkish foreign policy until recently. However, the popular 2011 Erdogan visit to Mogadishu and the following wide aid campaign marked a turning point in Türkiye’s Somalia policy. This study explores the evolution of Turkish-Somali relations and focuses mostly on Türkiye’s economic engagements in Somalia. The paper seeks to analyze the Turkish policy shift from aid-oriented to economic centered relations with Somalia. It evaluates Turkish Foreign Direct Investments in Somalia and analyzes its impact on Somalia’s economy.
The paper concludes that Türkiye’s economic engagements in Somalia are laid on strong foundations of mutual interests, and therefore it is expected to be constant and booming. On the other hand, the Turkish business and investment communities face three main challenges in their business endeavors, namely, security, political instability and business policies and legal challenges. The study recommends these challenges to be mitigated and resolved immediately and accordingly in order to strengthen this relationship into a strategic partnership and mutual interdependency level.
Keywords: Türkiye, Somalia, economic relations, foreign direct investment.
