M. General Mohamed Hussein ✍️
senior under-secretary _ SIS
Istanbul is preparing to welcome the 5th Türkiye–Africa Business and Economic Forum on October 16–17, 2025, bringing together heads of state, ministers, business leaders, and economic organizations from Türkiye and across Africa. The event, organized by the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and in cooperation with the African Union, will be held at the Istanbul Congress Center.
The forum will feature the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and João Lourenço, President of Angola and Chair of the African Union, alongside senior policymakers and influential business figures.
A Vision of Shared Growth
Held under the theme “Enhancing Türkiye–Africa Relations for Mutual Gains”, the forum underscores Ankara’s ambition to position itself as a long-term strategic partner for Africa. The agenda focuses on vital sectors such as:
- Agriculture and food security
- Renewable energy
- Transport and logistics
- Construction and infrastructure
- Mining and natural resources
- Defense industries
- Textiles
- Digital technologies
This broad sectoral scope reflects both Türkiye’s diversified economic base and Africa’s pressing development priorities.
Beyond Trade: Building Networks and Partnerships
The program will include high-level panel discussions, B2B business matchmaking, B2G meetings, and country presentations showcasing investment opportunities across Africa. A particularly anticipated session, “Women’s Leadership Dialogue on Entrepreneurship”, will feature Türkiye’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan and Angola’s First Lady Ana Afonso Dias Lourenço, highlighting the role of women in shaping inclusive economic growth.
Aiming for $75 Billion in Trade
Trade between Türkiye and Africa has grown significantly—rising from $5.4 billion in 2003 to $32.8 billion in 2024. Türkiye’s exports reached $21.5 billion, while imports stood at $11.3 billion last year. Ankara has now set ambitious targets of $50 billion and eventually $75 billion in bilateral trade.
This trajectory reflects not only economic interest but also Türkiye’s strategy of embedding itself into Africa’s fast-growing markets as a trusted partner rather than a distant investor.
Broad Participation, Strategic Implications
More than 4,000 business leaders from Türkiye and every African country are expected to attend, underscoring the forum’s expanding profile. For Türkiye, the event is about consolidating its role as an economic bridge between continents; for Africa, it is an opportunity to secure investment, infrastructure, and trade partnerships that can accelerate regional integration and development.
Opinion: A Balancing Act in Africa’s New Economic Order
The Türkiye–Africa Business Forum is more than a commercial gathering—it is a geopolitical statement. As global powers compete for influence in Africa, Türkiye seeks to carve a unique space: a model of cooperation based on mutual benefit, cultural affinity, and pragmatic trade.
The challenge will be turning pledges into sustainable partnerships. While trade numbers are promising, structural barriers such as financing gaps, logistical hurdles, and regulatory frameworks remain obstacles. Moreover, Türkiye must balance its ambitions with Africa’s agency, ensuring that cooperation is not perceived as one-sided but genuinely transformative for African economies.
If successful, the 5th forum could solidify Türkiye’s place as an indispensable partner in Africa’s economic future—one that stands alongside, rather than above, its continental peers.
