In Charleston, I had the honor of signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government of Somalia and the State of West Virginia on economic cooperation for the mining and processing of critical minerals.
This partnership will advance technical collaboration,… pic.twitter.com/prXjM3Gp4N

— Dahir Shire (@DahaShire) March 13, 2026

According to the state media of Somalia, the agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in mineral exploration, extraction, processing, and value-addition, while the partnership is intended to help integrate the country’s natural resource sector into global supply chains that support advanced manufacturing and modern energy systems.

The signing ceremony took place at the West Virginia Senate, signaling institutional support for the economic partnership. Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dahir Shire Mohamed,signed the agreement on behalf of the Somali government, while Kris Warner, Secretary of the West Virginia Senate, signed on behalf of the American state.

The Somali delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama and was received by West Virginia’s Senate President and Lieutenant Governor, Randy Smith, along with other senior state legislators.

At the same time, the West Virginia Senate adopted a resolution expressing support for cooperation between the two sides in the development of Somalia’s natural resources. According to Somali officials, the resolution highlights collaboration in areas such as mineral exploration, natural resource technologies, and strengthening technical expertise in the mining sector.

Deputy Prime Minister Jama said the Somali government is seeking effective partnerships that will help the country efficiently utilize its natural resources while attracting new investment.

"The Somali government is interested in establishing effective cooperation that will help the country utilize its natural resources efficiently,” he said.

The agreement also focuses on knowledge transfer, capacity building, and the development of domestic mineral processing infrastructure in Somalia. Officials believe the partnership could encourage American companies and international investors to explore opportunities in the country’s largely untapped mineral sector.

According to the Somali Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, the initiative will emphasize transparent and responsible resource management aligned with international standards. Authorities say the partnership could contribute to economic growth, create employment opportunities, and ensure that the country’s natural resources benefit the Somali people.

Somalia has increasingly sought international partnerships to develop its mineral and energy industries as part of broader efforts to strengthen the national economy and expand global economic cooperation.