Somaliland and Taiwan are set to begin joint oil drilling operations in early 2026, marking a major milestone in their growing economic partnership.
The announcement came during an exclusive Taiwan Plus interview with Mahamoud Adam Jama Galaal, Somaliland’s Representative to Taiwan, who outlined the depth and ambition of this unique alliance.
Since establishing reciprocal representative offices in 2020, the two democracies have forged a partnership built on mutual respect and shared aspirations for self-reliance.
From energy cooperation to agricultural and technological investment, Taiwan and Somaliland have cultivated a model of pragmatic diplomacy that blends economic progress with strategic foresight.
At the core of this partnership lies the Joint Energy and Mineral Resources Cooperation Working Group, which has helped unlock opportunities for resource exploration and infrastructure development.
Galaal revealed that CPC Taiwan, the island’s state-owned petroleum corporation, will play a leading role in Somaliland’s hydrocarbon sector.
Drilling is scheduled to begin in early 2026, based on seismic data suggesting access to as much as 650 million barrels of oil in the SL10B block, a site also linked to British-Turkish company Genel Energy.
“This is a crucial step forward,” Galaal said, describing the project as both an economic and strategic leap for Somaliland. “Taiwan brings advanced expertise and technology, while Somaliland provides the opportunity and location — a partnership grounded in shared ambition and trust.”
He emphasized Somaliland’s strategic position in the Horn of Africa, anchored by the Berbera Port and Free Zone, which is fast becoming the region’s premier commercial gateway.
The port’s expansion, paired with improved transport corridors, could give Somaliland access to a market of more than 300 million people, including Ethiopia and the wider East African region.
Beyond hydrocarbons, cooperation extends into finance and digital innovation. A recent visit by a delegation from the Central Bank of Somaliland to Taipei explored integrating Taiwanese financial technologies and AI systems into Somaliland’s banking infrastructure — part of a broader effort to modernize economic institutions.
“Taiwan is not just investing; it’s sharing knowledge,” Galaal said. “We’re learning how to replicate Taiwan’s model of disciplined growth, efficiency, and innovation.”
This partnership symbolizes more than bilateral cooperation — it represents a new kind of global diplomacy rooted in shared democratic values and mutual benefit.
For Taiwan, Somaliland is a steadfast ally in Africa. For Somaliland, Taiwan is a model of development and resilience under international pressure.
As both nations move toward drilling in 2026, their partnership stands as a beacon of pragmatic cooperation — proving that small, determined democracies can forge their own paths toward prosperity and recognition.
