More than 30 Chinese companies attend Somalia-China business forum in Mogadishu

Tuesday August 25, 2026

Mogadishu (HOL) — More than 30 Chinese companies and business leaders arrived in Mogadishu to attend the Somalia-China Business Networking Forum, which opened Tuesday to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Officials said the visit marks the first organized Chinese business delegation to Somalia aimed at directly connecting businesspeople from both countries, showcasing investment opportunities and promoting Somali exports to Chinese markets.

Somalia’s ambassador to China, Hodan Osman Abdi, said the visit is part of efforts to strengthen economic diplomacy and allow Chinese business leaders to see Somalia’s development, opportunities and business environment firsthand.

She said the delegation’s visit would help replace outdated perceptions of Somalia with the country’s current reality.

Hodan also stressed the importance of building mutually beneficial economic relations between Somalia and China by attracting Chinese investment, technology and expertise while opening Chinese markets to Somali products.

The forum brought together government officials, business leaders and investors from both countries.

It was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama.

Speeches were delivered by Commerce and Industry Minister Jamaal Mohamed Hassan, Fisheries and Blue Economy Minister Ahmed Hassan Aden, Communications and Technology Minister Mohamed Aden Moallim, Energy and Water Resources Minister Abdullahi Bidhaan Warsame, and other officials and business leaders.

The forum included presentations on the National Transformation Plan 2025-2029, the New Mogadishu development project and investment opportunities in Somalia.

A showcase of Somali export products was also held alongside the event.

Businesspeople from both countries, government agencies and investors held business-to-business and business-to-government meetings aimed at turning investment opportunities into practical partnerships and projects.

Somalia is expected to begin exporting fish to China next month after the two countries signed an agreement allowing Somali fisheries products to enter the Chinese market duty-free.

The agreement was recently signed in Mogadishu by Somalia’s fisheries minister and China’s ambassador to Somalia, paving the way for Somali traders to access one of the world’s largest seafood markets.

The Somali government hopes increased access to the Chinese market will help transform the fisheries sector into a larger source of jobs, exports and economic growth.