Somalia Receives Modern Equipment from Türkiye to Boost Agriculture Ministry Efficiency

Somalia has received modern office equipment from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) to support the country’s Agricultural and Irrigation Ministry. The donated items, including computers, printers, and screens, are aimed at improving efficiency, digital administration, and service delivery in the sector. Somali officials said the support will help strengthen agricultural management and advance the country’s goal of food self-sufficiency. The assistance reflects ongoing cooperation between Somalia and Türkiye, which has expanded since 2011 and includes more than $1 billion in development and humanitarian support across key sectors.

Somalia has received modern office and technical equipment from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen and modernise the country’s Agricultural and Irrigation Ministry.

The equipment was officially handed over during a ceremony held on Sunday in Mogadishu, the Somali capital. It is intended to improve the ministry’s operational capacity and support broader government plans aimed at improving food production systems, agricultural planning, and water management across the country.

The donated items include computers, printers, and television screens, which are expected to support digital record-keeping, improve internal communication, and enhance administrative efficiency within the ministry. Officials say the introduction of such tools will help reduce delays in service delivery and improve coordination between departments responsible for agriculture and irrigation.

Somali Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mohamed Abdi Hayir Mareye, welcomed the donation and described it as an important milestone in strengthening institutional capacity. He said the support reflects the continued partnership between Somalia and Türkiye and demonstrates Turkey’s commitment to Somalia’s development priorities.

“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to TIKA, the development agency of our brotherly nation, the Republic of Türkiye, for delivering today the first phase of their response,” the minister said during the handover ceremony.

He explained that the request for the equipment was made during a meeting with TİKA President Abdullahi Eren in Ankara in 2025, where Somalia outlined its need for improved administrative tools to strengthen governance in the agricultural sector. According to him, the response from Turkey represents the beginning of a broader cooperation plan expected to unfold in phases.

The minister added that strengthening the Agricultural and Irrigation Ministry is essential for Somalia’s long-term goal of achieving food self-sufficiency. Agriculture remains one of the country’s most important sectors, employing a large portion of the population and contributing significantly to livelihoods, especially in rural areas where irrigation and farming systems are critical.

Officials believe that improved institutional capacity will help Somalia better manage irrigation systems, respond to climate-related challenges such as droughts and flooding, and support farmers with better planning and coordination. Enhanced digital infrastructure within the ministry is also expected to improve data collection and policy formulation.

Mareye further emphasized Somalia’s appreciation for its partnership with Turkey, noting that cooperation between both countries has grown steadily over the years and continues to expand into new areas of development.

“We deeply value this partnership and look forward to continued cooperation with our Turkish friends,” he said.

The assistance forms part of Turkey’s long-standing engagement with Somalia, which has deepened significantly since 2011 when then–Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Mogadishu during a severe humanitarian crisis. That visit marked a turning point in bilateral relations and led to expanded Turkish involvement in Somalia’s reconstruction and development efforts.

Since then, Turkey has provided extensive humanitarian and technical assistance to Somalia, reportedly exceeding $1 billion in total support. This assistance has covered multiple sectors, including healthcare, education, municipal services, infrastructure development, and capacity building for government institutions.

In addition to direct aid, Turkey has been involved in training programs, infrastructure rehabilitation, and institutional support initiatives aimed at strengthening Somalia’s public sector. TİKA, as Turkey’s development agency, has played a central role in implementing many of these projects on the ground.

The latest equipment delivery is seen as part of this broader strategic partnership, reinforcing Turkey’s position as one of Somalia’s key international development partners while supporting Somalia’s ongoing efforts to rebuild institutions and improve governance in critical sectors such as agriculture and irrigation.