Somaliland expects trade deal with Israel soon, says president

Mineral access in exchange for Israeli agricultural and tech expertise could benefit both sides.

By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News

Somaliland expects to conclude a trade agreement with Israel in the near future, with cooperation potential that is virtually unlimited, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi told Reuters in an interview Tuesday.

“Somaliland is a very rich country in resources,” Abdullahi said, noting that Israel in particular needs its minerals but adding that his country also has oil, gas and marine riches.

“So trade can start from these main sectors,” he said. “The sky is the limit” for what he termed a “partnership agreement.”

According to its Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Somaliland has large but unexplored deposits of many kinds of valuable minerals, including rare earth elements such as lithium, a key component in batteries and electric vehicles.

At present, the vast majority of European and U.S. imports of rare earths come from China, heightening Western interest in alternative sources.

Somaliland is also believed to have untapped deposits of gold, platinum, silver and manganese.

So far, only one foreign company—a Saudi firm—has received a license to explore for minerals, and that approval was granted only in 2024.

The opportunity could thus be substantial if Israel secures similar rights.

Abdullahi said he is looking for access to Israeli technology in exchange.

When Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent state in December, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged “extensive” cooperation in agriculture, health, technology and the economy.

Israel is widely regarded as a global leader in agricultural innovation, including drip irrigation, water desalination, wastewater reuse and advanced greenhouse systems — technologies that could significantly improve food and water security in Somaliland.

It is also known for its advanced healthcare sector and government-backed programs that train foreign medical professionals.

Beyond economics, Somaliland occupies a strategic location opposite Yemen across the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where Iran-backed Houthi terrorists continue to threaten Israel with ballistic missiles, giving it significant security importance for Jerusalem.

Abdullahi told Reuters that while he hoped for future military cooperation, there have been no discussions about installing Israeli military bases in Somaliland.

His comments appeared to contradict recent Israeli media reports quoting a senior Somaliland official who said such an idea was “on the table.”

Even limited Israeli access to Berbera Airport would significantly reduce flight distances for operations aimed at countering Houthi threats.

Public satellite imagery shows that 12 underground hangars large enough to house fighter jets and UAVs are currently under construction at the airport — capabilities Somaliland itself is not believed to possess.