Somalia’s Ambassador to the United States Dahir Hassan, has officially invited major American oil companies—including Chevron, Conoco, and ExxonMobil—to resume oil exploration activities in Somalia. These companies had previously signed agreements with Somalia but declared force majeure following the collapse of the Somali state in 1991.

With improving political stability and security in Somalia, a renewed push to unlock the country’s oil potential is gaining momentum. The Somali government is actively encouraging foreign investment in the energy sector, signaling a new chapter in its economic development strategy.

Notably, this move coincides with a quiet shift in the U.S. approach to counterterrorism support in Somalia. Analysts suggest that Washington’s reduced focus on supporting military efforts against Al-Shabaab may be linked to a growing interest in securing access to Somalia’s untapped petroleum resources.

Somalia’s offshore and onshore reserves are believed to hold strategic energy potential—positioning the country as a new frontier in the global energy landscape.