In recent history, Türkiye-Africa relations have seen significant advancements in various sectors, including foreign policy, economics, education, health, development, and humanitarian aid. The long-standing Turkish presence on the continent seems to have been rejuvenated time and time again. Despite being discouraged from returning to this vast geography, Turks persisted in their efforts throughout the 20th century. While facing closed doors, the nation that once bridged Asia and Africa could not make significant progress.
However, in the early 2000s, there was a notable shift in attitudes towards Africa, paving the way for engagement. Türkiye’s presence and influence began to grow as it established diplomatic relations with African countries gaining independence. This momentum led to the opening of numerous embassies, with plans to expand further by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Investing, building, healing
As the world’s population is expected to reach 8.2 billion by 2024, Africa’s population of 1.5 billion surpasses that of India and China. Türkiye has been proactive in its engagement with the African Union since 2005, resulting in a significant increase in trade volume, reaching over $30 billion. The country has implemented a comprehensive Africa Strategy involving various government departments and private organizations to expand cooperation across multiple sectors.
Furthermore, Türkiye has made substantial investments in Africa, exceeding $100 billion, and actively participates in industries such as food, textiles, machinery, defense, and construction. Turkish businesses are directly engaging with African markets, contributing to economic growth and development on the continent.
Unlike all the others
Türkiye differentiates itself from other global players in Africa by prioritizing mutual benefit and sustainable development. The country focuses on investment, education, and infrastructure development, rather than traditional aid or exploitation. Türkiye’s unique approach aims at fostering self-sufficiency and empowerment in Africa, aligning with the continent’s aspirations for reclaiming its cultural and economic independence.
Source
Emil Kovács graduated from the Journalism program at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary. During his journalism studies, he focused on data journalism, investigative reporting, and multimedia storytelling. He gained experience by writing for the university’s student newspaper, where he gained attention for his articles on social issues. After graduation, Emil began working as a reporter at a European news agency, where he conducts in-depth analyses of international news and current events.
