The trade volume between Türkiye and Africa has exceeded $37 billion in 2024, with Ankara aiming to reach $40 billion in 2025, Trade Minister Omer Bolat has said.
Speaking at the 5th Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum on Thursday in Istanbul, Bolat said the gathering comes at a time of rising global uncertainty, protectionist trade policies, and challenges to the rules-based multilateral trading system.
“We are very pleased to develop our relations in depth and strategically in the fields of economic, commercial, cultural, and social relations between Türkiye and all countries in the African continent, and to develop them on a fair, equal, and win-win basis for both parties, and we will continue to implement these policies even more strongly,” Bolat said.
He said Türkiye’s total trade volume with Africa has increased more than sevenfold since 2003.
“In addition, Turkish contractors have also contributed significantly to the development of Africa by taking part in 2,043 development projects in African countries and completing construction works worth nearly $100 billion,” he said.
Major projects
Bolat emphasised that Turkish Airlines, the flag carrier of Türkiye, connects Africa to the rest of the world through Istanbul, with flights to 62 destinations in over 40 African countries.
He added that the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and other Turkish aid groups continue to carry out major cultural, social, and humanitarian projects across the continent.
“Almost 3,000 businesspeople from African countries have registered and come here to attend the summit. Thousands of Turkish businesspeople will also be here, meeting with their African counterparts,” Bolat said.
"There will be panels on more than seven important topics. Six of my Turkish minister colleagues will be participating in panels here today and tomorrow, and they are ready for bilateral business meetings with you. In addition, business forums will be held in some countries," he added.
The 5th Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum is being held at the Istanbul Congress Center on October 16–17. The event is organised by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) in cooperation with the African Union (AU) and hosted by the Turkish Trade Ministry.
Over the two-day forum, panels will explore themes such as competitive and collaborative textile value chains, financing Africa's infrastructure needs, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, Türkiye-Africa logistics hub, women's leadership and entrepreneurship, food security, energy and mining, civil aviation cooperation, and digital trade and manufacturing.
