Algerian Radio
The Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons, Mr. Mohamed Arkab, received on Tuesday at the ministry's headquarters the Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs, and Reconciliation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mr. Ali Youssouf Ali, who is on an official visit to Algeria, according to a ministry press release.
The talks, attended by the Somali Ambassador to Algeria and senior officials from the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, focused on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the hydrocarbons sector. This follows the positive momentum in Algerian-Somali relations sparked by the Somali President's visit to Algeria in November 2025, which saw the signing of several cooperation agreements.
Discussions covered prospects for cooperation in exploration, production, refining, and training, as Somalia prepares to launch oil and gas exploration in 2026. Somalia expressed its keen interest in benefiting from Algerian expertise, specifically Sonatrach's experience, as well as the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the sector.
The two parties agreed on the importance of bolstering partnerships between specialized institutions in both countries and expanding training programs and the exchange of expertise, notably through the Algerian Petroleum Institute (IAP).
On this occasion, Mr. Arkab reaffirmed Algeria's readiness, in implementation of the directives of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to support Somalia with its hydrocarbons expertise within the framework of enhancing African and South-South cooperation.
It is worth noting that Mr. Ali Youssouf Ali is visiting Algeria at the invitation of the Minister of Interior, Local Authorities, and Transport, Mr. Saïd Sayoud.
