Istanbul, October 17, 2025 – In a resounding call for unity and resilience, the Fifth Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum concluded its two-day deliberations on Friday with the issuance of a comprehensive joint statement. Titled "Managing Global Economic Uncertainties: Strengthening the Türkiye-Africa Partnership," the event, held at the Istanbul Congress Center from October 17 to 18, underscored the urgent need for inclusive and transformative economic ties between Türkiye and the African continent. Anadolu Agency, Türkiye's premier state-run news organization, served as the forum's global communication partner, ensuring widespread dissemination of the proceedings to audiences worldwide.
The joint statement, signed by representatives from over 50 African nations, Turkish business leaders, government officials, and international organizations, highlighted the forum's commitment to navigating a turbulent global landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, and escalating climate-related risks. "In an era where uncertainty defines the world economy, the Türkiye-Africa partnership emerges as a beacon of stability and mutual prosperity," the statement declared, reaffirming alignment with the African Union's ambitious Agenda 2063 – "The Africa We Want" – and the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These frameworks, the document noted, share a common vision for economic transformation, industrialization, and seamless regional integration, positioning Türkiye as a strategic ally in Africa's quest for self-reliance.
A Growing Strategic Alliance: From Vision to Action
The forum's discussions painted a vivid picture of the burgeoning Türkiye-Africa economic relationship, which has evolved dramatically since the inaugural forum in 2015. Trade volumes between Türkiye and Africa have surged by over 200% in the past decade, reaching $45.6 billion in 2024, according to data from the Turkish Ministry of Trade. This growth is not merely transactional; it reflects a deepening strategic partnership. The joint statement welcomed this trajectory and called for accelerated efforts in key areas: value chain development, trade diversification beyond raw commodities, technology transfer to bolster local industries, and joint infrastructure investments that promise long-term sustainability.
Delegates emphasized that current global challenges – from the Russia-Ukraine conflict's ripple effects on energy prices to the Red Sea disruptions hampering maritime trade – necessitate a "respectful, constructive, and win-win" framework for dialogue between business communities and governments. "We pledge to fortify bilateral relations through innovative collaborations that prioritize equity and shared benefits," the statement read. Hope was expressed for sustained cooperation, with specific mechanisms proposed, including annual bilateral business summits and a dedicated Türkiye-Africa Investment Fund capitalized at $5 billion over the next five years.
A highlight of the forum was the signing of 28 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth approximately $12 billion, spanning sectors from renewable energy to digital infrastructure. These agreements, involving giants like Turkish Airlines, Rönesans Holding, and African counterparts such as Nigeria's Dangote Group and South Africa's Eskom, signal a tangible shift from rhetoric to implementation.
Prioritizing Food Sovereignty: Türkiye's Agricultural Expertise as a Game-Changer
Amid rising global food insecurity – with the UN reporting that 783 million people faced hunger in 2024 – the forum placed food sovereignty at the forefront. The joint statement called for intensified cooperation in agricultural productivity, efficient irrigation systems, access to quality seeds and fertilizers, advanced food processing, and mechanization. "Resilient food systems are the bedrock of Africa's future," it proclaimed, urging a 50% increase in joint agricultural investments by 2030.
Türkiye's storied experience in agricultural innovation emerged as a cornerstone contribution. Since the early 2000s, Türkiye has transformed its arid Anatolian plains into a breadbasket through drip irrigation technologies that conserve 70% more water than traditional methods. Programs like the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) have already established 150 model farms across 35 African countries, training over 20,000 local farmers in precision agriculture. At the forum, Turkish Agriculture Minister İbrahim Yumaklı announced a $1.2 billion initiative to replicate these successes, including the deployment of 5,000 solar-powered irrigation units in sub-Saharan Africa by 2027.
Case studies presented included Ethiopia's wheat yield doubling from 2.5 to 5 tons per hectare following Turkish seed varieties and Kenya's $300 million agro-processing plant, a joint venture with Turkish firm Ülker, which now exports cereals to 15 countries. "Türkiye's agriculture-based industrial development model offers Africa a blueprint for food security without dependency," Yumaklı stated, earning applause from African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Josefa Sacko.
Expanding Horizons: Key Sectors for Collaborative Growth
The forum's joint statement delineated a roadmap for cooperation across nine pivotal sectors, each tailored to address Africa's unique needs while leveraging Türkiye's competitive edges:
Civil Aviation: With Turkish Airlines connecting 120 African destinations – more than any other carrier – the forum endorsed a $3 billion fleet expansion and joint airport modernizations in 20 cities, from Lagos to Addis Ababa. This will enhance intra-African connectivity, reducing flight costs by 25%.
Medicine and Medical Materials: Türkiye's pharmaceutical exports to Africa hit $1.5 billion last year. New partnerships aim to localize production of generics and vaccines, with a 500,000-unit annual output of malaria treatments in Ghana by 2026.
Logistics Hubs: Istanbul's strategic location positions it as a gateway. Plans for six Africa-focused logistics centers, including a $800 million port in Djibouti, promise to cut shipping times by 40%.
Entrepreneurship: A $500 million Türkiye-Africa Startup Fund will seed 1,000 ventures, focusing on women-led enterprises. Success stories like Uganda's solar tech firm, boosted by Turkish mentorship, were showcased.
Textiles: Türkiye's $20 billion industry will transfer know-how to African mills, targeting a $10 billion export boost through sustainable cotton initiatives in Mali and Tanzania.
Mining: Ethical extraction protocols for lithium and rare earths in the DRC and Zambia, with Turkish firms investing $2.5 billion, emphasize community benefits and environmental safeguards.
Energy: Renewable focus includes 10 gigawatts of solar and wind projects, harnessing Türkiye's Kalyon Solar expertise to power 50 million African homes by 2035.
Financing: Islamic banking models from Türkiye will mobilize $15 billion in sukuk bonds for infrastructure, offering Sharia-compliant alternatives to Western loans.
Digital Production: 5G rollout and AI training programs, led by Türk Telekom, aim to bridge Africa's digital divide, creating 2 million jobs in e-commerce and fintech.
These sectors, the statement noted, align with Agenda 2063's industrialization goals, projecting a collective $100 billion in trade growth by 2030.
Voices from the Forum: A Continent United
The event drew 1,500 participants, including 40 African ministers and CEOs from Fortune 500 firms. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, via video, lauded the partnership: "Türkiye is not just a partner; it's a brother in Africa's renaissance." Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima echoed, "In food and energy, your expertise is our salvation."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, addressing the closing session, affirmed: "Our shared history and future demand bold action. This forum is a milestone in our unbreakable bond."
Looking Ahead: A Roadmap for Resilience
As the forum adjourned, optimism permeated the halls. The joint statement concluded with a pledge for annual progress reviews and a sixth forum in Nairobi in 2026. "In managing global uncertainties, Türkiye and Africa will not merely survive – we will thrive," it resolute.
This landmark gathering reaffirms that South-South cooperation is no longer aspirational but essential. With Anadolu Agency's global reach amplifying these commitments, the world watches as Türkiye and Africa forge a partnership poised to reshape the global economic order.
