For decades, the relationship between the United States and Somalia has been shaped mainly by security cooperation and humanitarian support. Those pillars still matter. But they no longer capture the full picture of Somalia or the full range of American interests in the Horn of Africa. Somalia today presents a credible case for a new phase of engagement built on trade, investment and long-term commercial partnerships.
Somalia’s geography alone makes a strong argument. Sitting along one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors, linking the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, Somalia offers proximity to Middle Eastern, African and Asian markets. For US companies seeking to diversify supply chains, reduce exposure to geopolitical shocks and access fast-growing regions, Somalia is strategically placed.
The Somali economy is also more market-driven than often assumed. Private enterprise dominates sectors such as telecommunications, finance, logistics and trade, largely without state subsidies. A globally connected diaspora bridges Somali markets with the United States and Europe, lowering cultural and operational barriers for American investors. This entrepreneurial base provides fertile ground for trade-led growth rather than aid dependence.
Livestock and fisheries remain natural entry points for expanded commerce. Somalia is already a major exporter of live animals to Gulf markets and its fisheries resources are among the richest in the region. With investment in processing, standards and logistics, these sectors can move up the value chain. US firms specialising in agribusiness, cold chains, food safety and sustainable fisheries can benefit commercially while supporting regional food supply.
Beyond these traditional sectors, Somalia’s mineral and energy potential deserves serious attention. Geological surveys and historical data point to the presence of commercially valuable minerals, including uranium, iron ore, tin, gypsum and rare earth elements. As global demand grows for critical minerals used in renewable energy, defence technologies and advanced manufacturing, access to diversified and reliable sources has become a strategic priority for the United States.
Somalia offers an opportunity to engage early in a market that is not yet locked into exclusive arrangements. For American companies, this means the chance to shape extraction, processing and export standards from the outset, ensuring transparency, environmental safeguards and responsible labour practices. This approach aligns with US values and reduces long-term political and reputational risk.
Oil and gas present an equally compelling case. Offshore and onshore basins in Somalia are widely believed to hold significant hydrocarbon reserves, comparable to discoveries made elsewhere in East Africa. Unlike saturated markets, where competition is fierce and entry costs are high, Somalia remains largely unexplored. For US energy companies, this represents access to a frontier market with high potential returns.
The question often asked is whether Somalia is ready. Increasingly, the answer is yes.
Somalia has taken concrete steps to put in place a legal and regulatory framework for extractive industries. Petroleum and mining laws have been adopted, institutions established and revenue-sharing mechanisms negotiated between the federal government and member states. While work remains, the direction is clear. Somalia is building rules-based systems designed to attract credible international investors rather than speculative actors.
Security conditions, while uneven, have improved significantly in key economic corridors and coastal areas. International partners, including the United States, have contributed to stabilisation efforts that now make commercial operations more feasible than at any point in the past three decades. Importantly, Somali authorities understand that long-term stability depends on jobs, revenues and economic inclusion, outcomes that only trade and investment can deliver.
For the United States, engaging commercially in Somalia’s mineral and energy sectors delivers benefits beyond profit. It strengthens energy security through diversification. It supports transparent resource governance in a region where opaque deals have often fuelled instability. It creates space for American standards, technology and compliance practices to take root early rather than trying to retrofit them later.
Trade-led engagement also advances US strategic interests. A Somalia integrated into global markets is more stable, more accountable and less vulnerable to malign influence. Commercial partnerships expand the tax base, support institution-building and reduce reliance on external assistance. This is precisely the trajectory Washington encourages across Africa.
Somalia is not asking for concessions or special treatment. It is asking for confidence, market access and partnership. American businesses bring capital, technology and experience. Somalia brings resources, location and a young, ambitious workforce. Together, they can build a relationship defined by mutual benefit rather than dependency.
Moving from aid to trade in US–Somalia relations is not only realistic. It is overdue.