Wednesday March 19, 2025
ISTANBUL, Türkiye — Türkiye has launched TRT Somali, a new addition to the state-owned Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) network, signalling an expansion of its media footprint in Africa.
The new channell aims to project soft power and shape narratives in regions where it seeks greater influence. It also mirrors Türkiye's broader strategy to deepen its diplomatic, economic, and security ties with Somalia. By broadcasting in the Somali language, the network aims to provide an alternative to Western-dominated media coverage while strengthening cultural and diplomatic relations.
This initiative follows the successful launch of TRT Afrika in 2023, which expanded Türkiye's media reach across the continent. TRT Afrika operates in numerous African countries, including Gambia, Morocco, Nigeria, and Cameroon, and broadcasts in English, French, Swahili, and Hausa. These channels aim to provide unique digital content, exclusive stories, and documentaries on local African issues to both African and global audiences.
TRT Somali joins Türkiye's expanding network of over 45 international digital news channels, including TRT WORLD, TRT Français, TRT Arabi, TRT Balkan, TRT Russia, and TRT Deutsch. The new channel will cover key sectors such as human capital development, agriculture, the blue economy, and energy, highlighting Somalia’s resilience and growth.
Türkiye and Somalia share longstanding cultural, religious, and diplomatic ties dating back to the Ottoman Empire. Relations strengthened significantly in 2011 when President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a landmark visit to Mogadishu—the first by a non-African leader in decades. In response to a severe famine, Türkiye provided over $201 million in humanitarian aid, marking one of the largest international responses to the crisis.
Since then, Türkiye has become one of Somalia’s most influential partners, playing a pivotal role in the country’s reconstruction. Turkish firms have led major infrastructure projects, including renovating hospitals, constructing schools, and expanding Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport. Turkish Airlines was also the first long-haul carrier to resume flights to Somalia in two decades, fostering economic connectivity.
Beyond its economic and media investments, Türkiye has played a critical role in Somalia’s security sector. In 2017, Türkiye established its largest overseas embassy and military base in Mogadishu. The facility has trained thousands of Somali soldiers, bolstering the country’s ability to combat extremist groups such as al-Shabaab.