Turkey has begun construction of a spaceport in Somalia as part of Ankara’s plans to expand its access to space and strengthen its space ambitions in Africa.
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Somali Report) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his government has begun construction of a space launch facility in Somalia, describing the project as a strategic partnership that could benefit both Turkey and Africa.
Erdogan made the remarks while discussing Turkey’s national space ambitions, saying Ankara was working with Somalia to establish infrastructure that would allow satellites to be launched into space.
“Taking into account Türkiye’s geographical conditions, we are laying the foundations for a historic collaboration in the field of space with friendly and brotherly Somalia,” Erdogan said.
He said construction of the planned launch facility had already started and that Turkey was determined to complete the project.
“We have initiated the construction of the spaceport that we will establish in Somalia, and we are resolutely continuing our efforts to implement this strategic project,” Erdogan said.
The Turkish president said the project was intended to serve purposes beyond Turkey’s own space ambitions, arguing that it could contribute to the development of space infrastructure across Africa.
“With our project, we aim to enhance Türkiye’s capacity to access space while also contributing to the development of the space ecosystem on the African continent,” he said.
The announcement adds a new dimension to the growing relationship between Turkey and Somalia, which has expanded significantly in recent years across security, infrastructure, trade, energy and development.
Turkey has maintained close ties with Somalia and has invested in major projects in the country. Ankara also provides military training and security assistance to Somali forces and has played a prominent role in development projects in Mogadishu.
Somalia’s geographic position could make it attractive for space-launch infrastructure. The country lies relatively close to the equator and has an extensive coastline along the Indian Ocean, factors that can offer advantages for certain orbital launch operations.
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However, details about the planned facility, including its precise location, construction cost, launch capacity and expected completion date, have not been publicly disclosed in the statement.
Somali reports have said construction is underway in the Middle Shabelle region of Hirshabelle state, although the details of the project have yet to be independently confirmed.
The proposed facility would form part of Turkey’s broader effort to build an independent space capability. Ankara has sought to expand its domestic capacity in satellite development, space technologies and launch systems under its national space program.
African countries have also increasingly sought to expand their use of space technology, particularly satellites used for telecommunications, weather monitoring, agriculture, environmental management and disaster response.
For Somalia, hosting a space launch facility could mark a significant expansion into a highly technical sector and potentially create opportunities for investment, training and technological development.
The project also reflects the deepening strategic relationship between Ankara and Mogadishu, which has developed from traditional diplomatic ties into a broader partnership covering defense, economic development and major infrastructure projects.
Erdogan presented the spaceport as a project with regional significance, saying its benefits could extend beyond Turkey and Somalia to Africa’s wider space ecosystem.
The project will nevertheless face substantial technical, regulatory and financial requirements before it can support satellite launches, including the construction of specialized infrastructure and the development of the necessary safety and monitoring systems.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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