Diplomatic relations between Denmark and Somalia were established on 9 July 1960, shortly after the independence of the Somali Republic.

Andersen presented his credentials to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at a ceremony in Mogadishu.

Over the following 17 years, Denmark contributed 532 million DKK to Somalia, 63% of which constituted development funds and 37% humanitarian aid.

[8] In 1992, the Danish authorities assisted Somalia with $7.5 million, but asserted that they were not in a position to specify the exact amount of funds that would be allotted for the following year until the security situation improved.

Additionally, local governance accountability and transparency were supported through JPLG, as well as gender equality via the UNDP.

In terms of growth and employment, Denmark supported enabling business sector environment and fisheries and gums/resins value chains via the World Bank PSD programme in Puntland and Somaliland.