Türkiye begins construction of rocket launch facility in Somalia Bloomberg reveals

Türkiye has officially begun construction on a rocket-launching facility in Somalia, a project that will significantly boost Ankara's long-range rocket testing program and strengthen its ambitions in the global space race.

Somalia's President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, confirmed the development during an event in Mogadishu, emphasizing the positive economic impact the facility will have, including job creation and increased revenue for the country, Caliber.Az reports via Bloomberg.

Located on the eastern tip of Africa, Somalia’s strategic position allows for safe rocket launches towards the Indian Ocean, reducing the risk of debris falling into populated areas or other nations.

“This project holds immense importance, not just in terms of the billions of dollars and opportunities it will generate, but also in terms of its symbolic value,” Mohamud stated, highlighting the significance of hosting a launchpad for Turkish satellites on Somali soil.

The facility is a key step in Türkiye’s space ambitions, marking its progress toward joining the ranks of global powers in space exploration. Though the exact location of the launch site has not been disclosed, the project is expected to enhance Türkiye’s capacity to launch rockets, a goal the nation has been pursuing for several years.

Over the past decade, Türkiye has steadily expanded its influence in Somalia, focusing on defence cooperation, infrastructure development, and even plans for hydrocarbon exploration. Additionally, Türkiye has played a role in facilitating dialogue between Somalia’s central government and the leadership of the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland.

As the project moves forward, the partnership between Türkiye and Somalia continues to deepen, with both nations benefiting from a growing alliance in strategic sectors, including space and defence. This development also places Türkiye in a stronger position to compete in the space race, traditionally dominated by superpowers.

By Tamilla Hasanova