Mogadishu Port Backs Seafood Exports As Somalia Seeks To Expand Blue Economy

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Mogadishu Port is seeking to encourage more private investment in Somalia’s fisheries and seafood exports, as businesses look to connect the country’s marine resources with international markets.

The port’s director general, Ambassador Mohamed Ali Nur, known as Ameriko, received Marina Seafood and its vessel Maanya Mooya at the port on Monday. The vessel is involved in transporting Somali fish for export to overseas markets.

Nur welcomed the company’s work and praised Somali businesses investing in the fisheries sector, saying the port administration was committed to making trade easier and giving particular attention to exporters.

He said supporting exporters would help increase domestic production and create greater opportunities to take Somali products to international markets.

The visit highlights the commercial potential of Somalia’s long coastline, one of the longest in mainland Africa, at a time when the government is seeking to develop fisheries, maritime trade and other parts of the blue economy.

Somalia’s fishing industry remains relatively underdeveloped despite the country’s extensive coastline and rich marine resources. Improving port infrastructure, cold-storage facilities, transport links and access to international markets has been identified as important to expanding the sector.

The arrival of an export vessel at Mogadishu Port also comes as Somalia seeks to attract greater investment into its maritime economy and strengthen the role of its ports in regional and international trade.

For local businesses, increased seafood exports could provide opportunities for fishermen, processors, transport companies and other workers along the fisheries value chain.

Port authorities say they want to facilitate such activity by reducing obstacles facing businesses and supporting exporters seeking to reach markets outside Somalia.

The government has increasingly presented fisheries and maritime resources as an important source of future economic growth, particularly as Somalia works to diversify an economy heavily dependent on livestock, remittances and international assistance.

The port’s engagement with Marina Seafood reflects that broader effort to turn Somalia’s marine resources into commercially viable exports while creating more opportunities for domestic businesses.