After a presidential run-off, Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emerged victorious, sparking elation and celebration across the African continent. Erdogan’s leadership and unwavering commitment to Africa have made him a hero in the eyes of many Africans. From Nigeria to Somalia and Algeria to South Africa, the impact of Erdogan’s policies can be seen in development, economic progress, and political stability.
Erdogan’s triumph holds significant importance for African nations, as it presents Türkiye with an opportunity to expand its presence on the continent. Over the years, Africa has greatly benefited from Türkiye’s engagement, which has been made possible through Erdogan’s leadership. A new leader would require time to understand and adapt to Africa’s immediate and long-term needs, making Erdogan’s continuity crucial for further progress.
One of the key areas where Erdogan has made a substantial impact is in trade and economic cooperation. Türkiye has become an essential trading partner for many African countries, with Turkish merchandise being imported by small and mid-scale textile businesses in Kenya, for example. Turkish Airlines operates flights to numerous African destinations, facilitating increased passenger traffic and trade volume. Erdogan’s re-election ensures that this trade relationship will continue to flourish.
Erdogan’s victory also renews his energy and commitment to the various initiatives he had launched in Africa. His mandate allows Türkiye to expand its engagement with Africa, particularly in commerce and diplomacy. Türkiye’s presence in Africa extends beyond economic ties, encompassing sectors such as diplomacy, defense, education, health, and humanitarian aid. During his tenure as Prime Minister and President, Erdogan laid the groundwork for a collaborative relationship with African nations, fostering strategic partnerships for mutual benefit.
Erdogan’s understanding of Africa’s business potential has been instrumental in Türkiye’s engagement on the continent. With over 1.4 billion people, Africa represents an emerging market that is yet to be fully exploited. Erdogan recognizes this opportunity and has capitalized on it. He has launched educational projects and extended scholarships to African students, emphasizing the importance of education as a catalyst for trade and innovation.
Türkiye’s role in Africa extends beyond trade and economic cooperation. President Erdogan has played a crucial role in regional peace initiatives, making Türkiye a strategic partner for many African countries. Unlike some Western nations, Türkiye refrains from interfering in African nations’ internal politics and focuses on fostering mutually beneficial relationships. This approach has earned Türkiye a warm reception in Africa.
The figures speak for themselves, highlighting the consistency and extent of Türkiye’s relationship with Africa. Türkiye has 44 embassies in Africa, making it one of the top countries in terms of diplomatic presence on the continent. The impact of Türkiye’s engagement can also be seen in the health sector, where Erdogan has built hospitals and other infrastructure in countries such as Somalia and Senegal.
Energy, defense, textile, film, transport, and military hardware are among the sectors where African nations have benefited from Türkiye’s engagement. Türkiye’s exports to Africa in 2022 exceeded $21 billion, reaching record levels. Türkiye imports crude oil, gold, iron, copper, and other raw materials from Africa, contributing to the continent’s economic growth.
With Erdogan’s re-election, Africa can expect the partnership between Türkiye and the continent to continue bringing positive outcomes. Erdogan’s presidency ensures continuity and expansion into new trade possibilities, fostering unity, and exploiting untapped opportunities. The future holds the promise of more Türkiye-Africa partnership summits and increased cooperation in various fields, further solidifying the strong bond between Türkiye and Africa.
As President Erdogan begins his new term, Africa remains confident that his leadership will lead to continued progress and prosperity. Erdogan’s commitment to the continent is reciprocated by Africa’s confidence in him. The independence, freedom, and equality gains of the African people are highly valued by Türkiye, as expressed by President Erdogan himself. Türkiye rejects any western-centric orientalist approaches to the African continent and embraces the people of Africa without discrimination.
The mutual benefits of the Türkiye-Africa partnership extend beyond trade and economic cooperation. Türkiye’s involvement in Africa also encompasses regional peace initiatives and food security. Türkiye has played a pivotal role in peacekeeping and international diplomacy in Africa, contributing to stability on the continent. Additionally, Türkiye’s efforts in facilitating the movement of cereals from the Black Sea region to Africa have contributed to improving food security.
One of the significant factors that have strengthened Türkiye’s relationship with Africa is its policy of non-interference in internal political affairs. Unlike many Western countries, Türkiye does not seek to dictate leadership choices or interfere in African nations’ domestic affairs. Instead, Türkiye focuses on fostering business relationships and ensuring the overall well-being of African nations.
Looking ahead, President Erdogan’s victory opens the door for Türkiye to expand its economic, defense, and humanitarian aid efforts in Africa over the next five years. The continuity and legitimacy of Erdogan’s presidency provide a solid foundation for Türkiye to further strengthen its engagement with Africa, tapping into untapped trade opportunities and bolstering bilateral relations.
Trade between Türkiye and African countries has seen remarkable growth in recent years. In 2022, Türkiye’s exports to Africa exceeded $21 billion, marking a record high. Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Algeria, and South Africa were among the African nations that received a significant volume of Türkiye’s exports. The leading export sectors included steel, chemicals, cereals, oilseeds, industrial products, olive oil, fresh fruits, vegetables, automotive, and building materials. On the other hand, Türkiye imports crude oil, gold, iron, copper, liquefied natural gas, and other raw materials from Africa.
With Erdogan’s re-election, the expectation is that two-way trade between Türkiye and Africa will continue to flourish. The absence of political interruption ensures a favorable environment for sustained economic cooperation. Erdogan’s victory guarantees continuity, expansion, and the exploration of new trade possibilities.
President Erdogan’s re-election victory is not only a triumph for Türkiye but also a victory for Africa. Erdogan’s unwavering commitment to Africa, demonstrated through his numerous visits and initiatives, has solidified Türkiye’s position as a reliable partner to the continent. Türkiye’s engagement with Africa spans various sectors and has yielded positive outcomes in development, trade, diplomacy, education, healthcare, and more. As Erdogan embarks on his new term, Africa can look forward to further progress, prosperity, and strengthened strategic partnerships. The Türkiye-Africa relationship is built on mutual benefit, respect, and shared aspirations for a brighter future.
