Erdoğan Reaffirms Türkiye’s Long-Term Economic and Strategic Commitment to Africa

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reaffirmed Türkiye’s dedication to deepening its economic and strategic partnership with Africa, closing the 2025 Türkiye–Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF) in Istanbul with a powerful message of unity, respect, and shared progress.

Quoting an African proverb — “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” — President Erdoğan set the tone for a partnership anchored in cooperation rather than competition, mutual growth rather than dependency.

Reimagining Türkiye–Africa Relations

Reflecting on the evolution of Türkiye’s engagement with Africa, President Erdoğan reminded delegates that 2005 was declared the Year of Africa, marking the beginning of a policy transformation that turned symbolic ties into a multi-sectoral partnership.

“In 2005, we declared the Year of Africa. Our relationships have moved to unimaginable heights and have become strategic partnerships,” he said.

The Turkish leader emphasised his deep personal connection to the continent, noting that he had visited Africa “more than 50 times.” He described his experiences with a sense of emotional and historical kinship:

“Our skin colours may be different, but the colour of our tears is the same. I felt at home in every African country I visited.”

This statement underscores Türkiye’s deliberate shift from transactional diplomacy to empathetic engagement — a narrative that continues to win it credibility among African governments and private sector leaders.

Türkiye’s Growing Economic Stature

Erdoğan also showcased Türkiye’s economic confidence, noting that as of 2024, the country ranked 17th globally by nominal GDP, 12th by purchasing power parity (PPP), and 5th in Europe.

“What we have accomplished in the last 23 years is a guarantee of what we will do in the future,” he declared, highlighting the success of Türkiye’s economic reforms and industrial transformation.

He added that Türkiye’s advances in green transformation, manufacturing modernisation, and digitalisation position it as a natural partner for Africa’s ongoing efforts to industrialise and diversify its economies.

A Partnership of Equals

Distancing Türkiye from the exploitative legacy of colonialism, Erdoğan made it clear that Ankara’s approach is built on mutual respect and shared benefit.

“We do not have the guilt of colonialism on our conscience,” he said.

Türkiye’s strategy toward Africa has been distinctively pragmatic — focusing on infrastructure, energy, construction, education, and trade facilitation. Through initiatives like Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) projects, the country has supported development efforts in over 40 African nations.

Erdoğan pledged to make Türkiye a bridge economy — linking African producers to European markets through its established industrial and logistics base.

Trade, Technology, and Shared Opportunities

Türkiye’s Trade Minister Ömer Bolat outlined several priority areas for deeper collaboration — including agriculture, textiles, digital technologies, logistics, and construction — sectors that align closely with both Türkiye’s export strengths and Africa’s industrialisation goals.

He emphasised that African investors should view Türkiye as a strategic hub for accessing Europe and Asia, backed by world-class infrastructure and a growing digital economy.

By the close of the forum, a series of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed, targeting key initiatives such as:

• Value-added manufacturing partnerships

• Infrastructure and transport corridors

• Renewable energy projects

• Joint ventures in digital innovation and trade logistics

These developments signalled that the forum was not merely a diplomatic gathering, but a concrete step toward reshaping South–South cooperation.

A Defining Moment for Türkiye–Africa Relations

In his closing remarks, President Erdoğan summarised the spirit of the 2025 TABEF:

“Africa and Türkiye are now co-architects of each other’s futures.”

This vision represents a shift from donor-recipient relations toward a strategic alliance rooted in production, investment, and shared prosperity.

Türkiye’s emergence as one of the world’s top 20 economies and Africa’s rise as the next global growth frontier together create a timely opportunity for deeper collaboration.

For African economies, including Ghana, the Türkiye–Africa partnership presents not just access to finance and technology, but also a model of industrial discipline and export-led growth that could inspire local policy frameworks.

Source: Accra Business News