Somalia is taking new steps to expand its trade and investment footprint in Central Africa.
A high-level mission led by Somalia’s Ambassador to Kenya, Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, has arrived in Nairobi to advance Somalia and the DRC cooperation.
Somalia and the DRC Are Expanding Opportunities for Somali Entrepreneurs
The visit follows a year of sustained engagement between the DRC Embassy in Nairobi and Somali entrepreneurs based in Kenya.
Its goal is to open new investment opportunities, support trade consultations, and deepen commercial collaboration between Somalia and the DRC.
The program includes direct meetings with Somali businesspeople already active in the DRC to address the challenges they face and identify practical solutions.
“This visit represents a vital step in deepening commercial and people-to-people ties between Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Ambassador Abdulle.
“Our business community has always been resilient and adaptable, and we are here to ensure they are well supported in new and emerging markets.”
Protecting and Empowering Somali Traders Abroad
This initiative builds on earlier diplomatic efforts, including the Somali Embassy’s successful intervention in securing the release of Somali traders previously imprisoned in the DRC.
Ambassador Abdulle stressed that such actions reflect Somalia’s ongoing commitment to protecting and empowering its citizens abroad.
Somali businesses have steadily expanded across Africa—especially in Eastern, Central, and Southern regions.
In the DRC, Somali entrepreneurs are particularly active in the fuel trade and cross-border vehicle business, linking markets between Kenya and Congo.
Kenya’s Strategic Role
Kenya remains an essential partner for Somali traders.
Ambassador Abdulle highlighted that shared history, geography, and economic interdependence between the two countries continue to unlock fresh opportunities for growth and cooperation.
Benefits from Regional Integration
The DRC has emerged as East Africa’s next economic frontier, powered by vast mineral wealth, a large consumer base, and deeper regional integration.
With both Somalia and the DRC now members of the East African Community (EAC), they have joined a powerful trade bloc of more than 400 million people and a combined GDP of about $500 billion.
The EAC promotes the free movement of goods, services, and people—benefits Somali entrepreneurs are eager to tap into.
“As members of the EAC, Somalia and the DRC are well placed to benefit from regional integration,” Ambassador Abdulle noted.
“This is not just about trade; it is about building sustainable partnerships that uplift our people and strengthen Africa’s collective prosperity.”
