Somalia Strengthens Maritime Cooperation with Egypt as Cairo Expands Red Sea Port Partnerships
Somalia’s Council of Ministers has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Egypt to strengthen cooperation in maritime transport and port development, marking another significant step in Cairo’s expanding maritime engagement across the Red Sea region.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between Egypt’s Ministry of Transport and Somalia’s Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport. It is expected to promote collaboration in maritime transport, port management, infrastructure development, and regional shipping connectivity.
Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Mohamed Nur, described the agreement as an important milestone for bilateral relations. He said the partnership will support Somalia’s efforts to modernize its maritime infrastructure, advance the country’s National Transformation Plan (NTP), and enhance its position in regional and international maritime trade.
The approval comes only days after Egypt signed a separate maritime transport and Red Sea port connectivity agreement with Eritrea, highlighting Cairo’s continued strategy to strengthen maritime partnerships and improve regional port cooperation along one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.
Following the Egypt-Eritrea agreement, both governments reaffirmed that the governance and security of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden should remain the responsibility of the coastal states bordering those waters.
The latest maritime cooperation agreement also comes amid continuing regional tensions over Ethiopia’s pursuit of direct sea access. In May, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Egypt of attempting to increase pressure on Addis Ababa through broader regional engagement. Ethiopian officials, however, have maintained that the country’s efforts to secure maritime access will continue through peaceful dialogue and diplomatic negotiations.
Over the past two years, Egypt has steadily expanded its political, security, and maritime presence across the Horn of Africa. In October 2025, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki held high-level discussions in Cairo aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and supporting stability in both the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.
Read: Egypt and Eritrea Sign Landmark Red Sea Maritime Cooperation Agreement in Asmara
The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the territorial integrity of regional states, supporting national institutions, and coordinating efforts on regional security challenges affecting Sudan and Somalia.
The new agreement further strengthens the growing cooperation between Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia, which has gained momentum since Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland in January 2024 regarding commercial and naval access to the sea.
A major milestone in this regional alignment was the October 2024 tripartite summit in Asmara, where the leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia agreed to deepen cooperation on regional security, border protection, and respect for national sovereignty.
Egypt has also expanded its military cooperation with Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), including military training, troop deployments, arms deliveries, and planned joint military exercises.
Ethiopia has repeatedly expressed concern that these developments could alter the regional security balance in the Horn of Africa. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has consistently stated that Ethiopia’s long-term objective of securing sea access will continue through peaceful dialogue and mutual understanding, while describing Red Sea access as strategically important for the country’s economic future.
