The facility will be used both to launch Türkiye's own rockets and to serve the global commercial space market.
Türkiye has completed feasibility and design studies for a space port to be built in Somalia and has officially launched the first phase of construction, according to Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kac?r. The project marks a major step in Türkiyes ambitions to strengthen its independent access to space and expand its role in the global space economy.
President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an first outlined the plan to establish a Turkish space port in Somalia during a joint press conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Istanbul. The initiative is being implemented under a cooperation agreement between the two countries, through which land in Somalia has been allocated to Türkiye for the project.
In remarks to Anadolu Agency, Kac?r said Somalia was identified as the most suitable location following extensive feasibility studies. He explained that countries situated near the equator offer technical advantages for space launches, making Somalia particularly attractive for a space port investment.
The project forms part of Türkiye’s National Space Programme, specifically under its Access to Space and Space Port objective. Work is being carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, with key contributions from the Turkish Space Agency and other relevant institutions.
Kac?r described the space port as a strategic investment that will position Türkiye as an independent and competitive player in global space activities. He said the initiative is expected to deliver long-term economic benefits with high multiplier effects, particularly by enabling the fully independent launch of satellite launch vehicles developed domestically.
According to the minister, the project will help establish a sustainable and competitive industrial ecosystem around launch technologies in Türkiye. This ecosystem is expected to expand into critical areas such as rocket engines, fuel and propulsion systems, advanced materials, avionics and ground support infrastructure, reducing external dependence and ensuring lasting technological gains.
The space port is also intended to serve the global commercial space market. Kac?r said it would become a strategic revenue-generating asset for Türkiye through commercial satellite launches, testing activities and integration services, while also contributing to Somalias economic development.
He highlighted Somalia’s proximity to the equator, its coastal geography, favourable year-round weather conditions and relatively low air and sea traffic as key factors that enhance launch safety and efficiency. These advantages, he said, will allow for flexible launch schedules and improve the global competitiveness of Türkiyes launch systems.
Kac?r noted that only a small number of countries worldwide possess independent satellite launch infrastructure. Türkiye’s entry into this group, he said, represents a historic milestone in terms of technological maturity, strategic autonomy and international standing in the space sector.
Ultimately, the space port is expected to serve as a strategic lever that strengthens Türkiye’s national security, deepens its industrial and technological capabilities and elevates the country into the top tier of the global space economy.
