Erdogan’s emphasis on Muslim solidarity and anti-colonial rhetoric positions Turkey as a middle power and trusted development partner in Africa amid global rivalries.
Turkey’s growing footprint in Africa is a calculated mix of economic pragmatism, cultural diplomacy, and strategic alliances, reflecting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s broader foreign policy vision. By emphasizing Muslim solidarity and invoking anti-colonial narratives, Turkey has positioned itself as a credible middle power, appealing to nations wary of Western exploitation and Chinese debt traps.
Turkey’s Africa Policy: A Historical Pivot
Turkey’s engagement with Africa dates back to the late 1990s with the launch of the African Action Plan. This initiative gained momentum under Erdogan’s leadership in 2002, culminating in the “Opening to Africa” policy in 2005.
Trade volume between Turkey and Africa skyrocketed from $1.35 billion in 2003 to $40.7 billion in 2023. Turkish firms have undertaken large-scale development projects, such as ports in Somalia and Guinea and infrastructure in Tanzania and Uganda. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has played a pivotal role, investing $77.8 billion in various African development projects by 2023.
This robust engagement provides an alternative to Western and Chinese development models, which have often been criticized for their exploitative tendencies. Turkey’s approach emphasizes local partnerships, skill-building, and cultural ties, fostering goodwill across the continent.
Defense and Strategic Interests
Africa’s intra- and inter-state conflicts, coupled with its resource wealth, have made it a critical focus for Turkey’s burgeoning defense industry.
Military Bases and Partnerships: Turkey established its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu, Somalia, in 2017. Djibouti has reportedly invited Turkey to establish another base near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital chokepoint for global trade.
Arms and Technology Exports: Turkish defense companies, such as Baykar, have gained significant traction in Africa. Bayraktar drones proved instrumental in Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict, boosting Ankara’s credibility as a defense partner.
Anti-Terrorism and Security Cooperation: Turkey collaborates with African nations to combat terrorism and piracy, participating in NATO’s Combined Task Force 151 and training local security forces.
Turkey’s narrative of “African Solutions for African Problems” resonates deeply in a continent with lingering anti-colonial sentiments. Erdogan’s rhetoric against Western interference and Chinese debt diplomacy positions Turkey as a reliable and non-exploitative partner.
However, Turkey’s neo-Ottoman aspirations have raised concerns among regional powers such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who view Ankara’s growing influence as a revival of Ottoman hegemony. Despite this, Turkey’s focus on economic development and local capacity building differentiates it from other global players.
Turkey’s multifaceted approach in Africa—blending economic initiatives, cultural diplomacy, and strategic defense partnerships—underscores its ambitions as a middle power. By leveraging anti-Western and anti-China sentiments, Ankara presents a compelling alternative, reshaping Africa’s geopolitical landscape and securing its foothold in the region’s future.
