Turkey still keeps Somalia out of its e-Visa system despite over $1 billion in aid, oil deals and access to the Horn of Africa

Turkey has gained oil interests, strategic access to the Horn of Africa, defence partnerships and goodwill from more than $1 billion in aid to Somalia, yet Ankara remains cautious about Somali travellers and continues to exclude the country from its e-Visa system.

Turkey launched its Electronic Visa Application System on April 17, 2013, but more than a decade and several eligibility updates later, Somalia, one of Ankara’s closest partners in the Horn of Africa, remains excluded.

The platform covers several African countries, including Algeria, Cabo Verde, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Mauritius, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa.

Somali passport holders, however, must apply through Turkish diplomatic missions or authorised visa centres.

Turkey requires holders of both ordinary and official Somali passports to obtain visas before travelling.