The Visit of Nigerien Prime Minister to Turkey
In February, Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zein visited Turkey after receiving an invitation from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This visit highlighted Turkey's efforts to expand its influence in Africa through economic and military cooperation.
Turkey's Presence in Africa
For the past twenty years, Turkey has been working to increase its presence in Africa. The continent is seen as a favorable environment for investment, as it holds about 65% of untapped global resources.
After the series of coups in the Sahel region, starting in 2020 in Mali, and the decline of French influence in West Africa, Turkey has intensified its efforts to become a significant player in the region. It aims to compete with other global powers for influence and control.
Diplomatic Relations
Turkey has implemented a strategy of building closer ties and increasing diplomatic presence in Africa. The number of Turkish embassies in Africa has grown from 12 in 2002 to 44 in 2022. Similarly, the number of African embassies and diplomatic representations in Turkey has increased from 10 in 2008 to 37 in 2021.
Currently, Turkey ranks fourth among the most represented countries on the African continent, following the United States, China, and France. Establishing strong relations with African countries is a key goal of Turkish foreign policy.
Partnership with Africa
Turkey has become a strategic partner of the African Union since 2008. The first Turkish-African partnership summit was held in Istanbul that same year, focusing on the themes of "common future," "cooperation," and "solidarity."
Turkey has also become a non-regional member of the African Development Bank, participating in development financing and loans. In 2014, the African-Turkish Partnership Summit took place in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, where various agreements were signed, and a joint action strategy for 2015-2019 was developed.
Since 2008, the Turkish President has visited 30 African countries and directed investments towards the region.
Investments and Trade
Turkey has been directing its commercial companies towards Africa, which offers a vast consumer market with a population of over 1.3 billion people.
The volume of trade between Turkey and Africa has significantly increased, from $3 billion in 2003 to $26 billion in 2021. Turkey imports 90% of its oil and gas needs, worth $42 billion annually, and has been seeking preferential gas prices from Africa, which holds 10% of the world's oil reserves.
Nigeria is Turkey's main exporter, constituting 90% of the country's exports. Additionally, Turkey has 200 companies operating in Ethiopia, employing 30,000 Ethiopian citizens. Turkey is the second-largest investor in Ethiopia after China, with a trade exchange of $650 million in 2022.
Turkish contracting companies have undertaken projects worth $71.1 billion throughout Africa, with sub-Saharan African countries accounting for about $19.5 billion of these projects.
Military Presence
After establishing a strong economic presence, Turkey has sought to extend its military influence in Africa. It has signed security agreements with Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania to train their security forces in combating armed groups and piracy. Turkey has also aimed to open new markets for its military industries.
Turkey currently has 37 military offices on the African continent. In 2021, its military exports to Africa increased from $41 million to $328 million.
The Turkish Armed Forces have been providing training and support to the Somali army, including the construction of a training center and the provision of equipment and armored vehicles. Turkey has also supported the Sahel group with $5 million to counter armed groups.
The Position on Coups
With the decline of French influence in West Africa due to military coups, Turkey has increased its political and military support for these countries.
Turkey opposed the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Mali after the military coup in 2020. Its Foreign Minister even made an official visit to Mali that same year.
Turkey has been actively involved in supporting countries like Burkina Faso and Niger. It has opened doors for Burkina Faso to purchase weapons, despite European countries preventing such transactions. Trade between Turkey and Niger has also increased significantly, from $72 million in 2019 to $203 million in 2022.
Challenges
Turkey's policy towards Africa faces challenges such as religious and ethnic conflicts, armed conflicts, border disputes, political and social instability, and Africa's increasing role in the war on terrorism.
