Somalia-China business forum opens in Mogadishu to boost trade and investment

Tuesday August 25, 2026

Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somalia-China Business Networking Forum opened in Mogadishu on Tuesday, bringing together government officials, business leaders and investors from both countries to strengthen trade and investment ties.

Somali Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama officially opened the forum, which was organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The event was attended by federal government ministers, Somalia’s ambassador to China, representatives of the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Africa-China Chamber of Commerce, and businesspeople and investors from Somalia and China.

Salah encouraged Chinese companies and investors to take advantage of investment opportunities in Somalia, particularly in infrastructure, manufacturing, fisheries, agriculture, energy, transport and logistics.

He said business cooperation should support job creation and boost domestic production.

“This forum is part of the National Interest Government’s initiatives to expand trade and investment relations between Somalia and international countries, creating direct links between Somali businessmen and international markets, while also focusing on increasing the export of Somali products to foreign markets,” the Office of the Prime Minister said.

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 the opportunities presented at the forum into practical partnerships and projects.