Current Trade Dynamics and Future Goals
Türkiye’s trade with Africa has seen significant growth in recent years, driven by a mutual commitment to expanding economic cooperation. According to Olpak, Türkiye’s exports to African countries reached $14.6 billion during the January-August period of 2025, while imports from Africa amounted to $7.7 billion in the same timeframe. This reflects a robust trade relationship, with a diverse range of goods exchanged between the two regions. In 2024, Türkiye’s exports to Africa, totaling $14.6 billion, included machinery, iron and steel, energy, automotive products, electrical appliances, plastics, and food products such as flour, pastry, and oil. On the import side, Türkiye sourced $11.3 billion worth of goods from Africa, primarily energy, automotive components, cocoa, agricultural products, and minerals.
Looking ahead, Türkiye has set ambitious trade targets to further strengthen this partnership. Olpak outlined a multi-phase plan, with a goal of achieving a $40 billion trade volume with Africa in 2026, followed by $50 billion and eventually $70 billion in the coming years. These targets reflect Türkiye’s strategic vision to not only increase trade volume but also diversify the range of products and markets involved. Currently, Türkiye’s trade with Africa is heavily concentrated in countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, and Libya. To achieve its goals, Türkiye aims to broaden its engagement to include more Sub-Saharan African nations, reduce dependency on a few key markets, and introduce more competitive products tailored to African markets.
Strategic Priorities for Trade Expansion
To realize these ambitious trade targets, Türkiye is adopting a multifaceted strategy that emphasizes product diversification, infrastructure development, and enhanced financial and institutional support. Olpak stressed the importance of moving away from export structures that are overly reliant on a handful of countries. Instead, Türkiye is focusing on expanding its presence in sectors with high growth potential in Africa, such as green energy, infrastructure, agriculture, food security, health technologies, digitalization, textiles, and contracting services. These sectors align with Africa’s developmental needs and Türkiye’s expertise, creating opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships.
One of the cornerstones of Türkiye’s strategy is the expansion of financing opportunities through Turkish Eximbank. By providing increased financial support to businesses engaged in trade with Africa, Türkiye aims to facilitate greater market access and investment. Additionally, promoting free trade agreements and investment incentives is a priority to create a more conducive environment for economic collaboration. Türkiye is also leveraging its expertise in defense and contracting services to enter African markets, offering competitive solutions in infrastructure development and security.
Another key initiative is the establishment of logistics centers and local production partnerships in African countries. These efforts are designed to enhance the competitiveness of Turkish products in African domestic markets by reducing logistical barriers and fostering local production. By setting up such infrastructure, Türkiye aims to create a more sustainable and efficient supply chain, ensuring that its goods are more accessible and affordable to African consumers.
Education and human capital development are also integral to Türkiye’s strategy. Increasing the number and value of scholarships granted to African students is a priority, as it fosters cultural and economic ties while building a skilled workforce that can contribute to bilateral cooperation. These initiatives reflect Türkiye’s commitment to a “win-win” approach, where both sides benefit from strengthened economic, cultural, and social connections.
The Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum: A Catalyst for Collaboration
The upcoming TABEF, to be held in Istanbul, is expected to be a landmark event in advancing these strategic objectives. The forum will bring together over 4,000 businesspeople from Türkiye and all African countries, providing a platform for networking, deal-making, and the exploration of new opportunities. High-level participation is anticipated, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, First Lady Emine Erdogan, and Trade Minister Omer Bolat expected to attend, alongside prominent leaders and business figures from African nations.
The forum will focus on priority sectors that align with the economic needs and strengths of both Türkiye and Africa. These include agriculture and food, renewable energy, mining, automotive, textiles, transportation and logistics, contracting, defense, and digital technologies. By concentrating on these areas, TABEF aims to facilitate targeted discussions and partnerships that can drive innovation, investment, and growth.
Agriculture and food security are particularly critical, given Africa’s growing population and the need for sustainable food systems. Türkiye’s expertise in food production, particularly in processed goods like flour and oil, positions it as a key partner in addressing these challenges. Similarly, renewable energy and green infrastructure projects are gaining prominence as Africa seeks to transition to sustainable energy sources. Türkiye’s experience in these areas, combined with its competitive offerings in machinery and electrical appliances, makes it well-suited to support Africa’s green energy ambitions.
The automotive sector is another area of focus, with both Türkiye and African countries looking to expand manufacturing and trade in this industry. Textiles, a traditional strength for Türkiye, offer opportunities for collaboration in both production and export markets. Meanwhile, digital technologies and transportation logistics are emerging as critical enablers of economic growth, with Türkiye’s advancements in these fields providing a foundation for partnerships.
Türkiye’s Broader Engagement with Africa
Türkiye’s approach to Africa is rooted in a philosophy of mutual benefit and long-term partnership. Unlike traditional trade relationships that may prioritize short-term gains, Türkiye’s strategy emphasizes sustainable development and equitable growth. This is evident in its efforts to expand trade beyond North Africa to Sub-Saharan regions, where economic potential is vast but often untapped. By engaging with a broader range of African countries, Türkiye aims to create a more inclusive and resilient trade network.
The focus on logistics centers and local production partnerships is particularly significant in this context. These initiatives not only enhance the accessibility of Turkish products but also create jobs and economic opportunities in African countries. By investing in local infrastructure and production, Türkiye is contributing to the industrialization and economic diversification of its African partners, aligning with the continent’s broader developmental goals.
The defense sector also plays a unique role in Türkiye’s engagement with Africa. Turkish defense products, known for their quality and affordability, are increasingly sought after in African markets. By entering this sector, Türkiye can support African nations in addressing security challenges while fostering economic ties through trade and technology transfer.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the prospects for Türkiye-Africa trade are promising, challenges remain. Diversifying trade beyond a few key markets requires overcoming logistical and regulatory barriers, as well as building trust and familiarity with new markets. Additionally, competition from other global players, such as China and European nations, means that Türkiye must continue to innovate and offer competitive solutions tailored to African needs.
However, these challenges also present opportunities. Africa’s young and growing population, coupled with its abundant natural resources and increasing urbanization, creates a dynamic market for Turkish goods and services. By focusing on sectors like digitalization and health technologies, Türkiye can position itself as a leader in emerging industries that are critical to Africa’s future.
Conclusion
The Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum represents a critical step in strengthening the economic partnership between Türkiye and African nations. With trade volumes expected to exceed $35 billion by the end of 2025 and ambitious targets set for the coming years, Türkiye is committed to deepening its engagement with Africa through a strategy rooted in mutual benefit. By focusing on diverse sectors, expanding financial and logistical support, and fostering cultural and educational ties, Türkiye is laying the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive partnership. The TABEF, with its high-level participation and focus on key industries, will serve as a catalyst for these efforts, paving the way for a new era of Türkiye-Africa collaboration. As both sides work together to achieve shared goals, the potential for transformative economic growth and development is immense, promising a brighter future for all involved.
