Turkey is trying to compete with the penetration of China and France in Africa , spreading a network of influence with investments and defense agreements. It is indicative that since the day he assumed the government of the country in 2002, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has visited 31 African countries, either as president or in his former capacity as prime minister. This strategy is even praised by the Institute for Security Studies of the EU. , citing it as an example from which Europe could learn lessons.
In order to strengthen its ties with the African continent, Turkey has given importance to the opening of embassies. The number of embassies in Africa has increased from 12 in 2002 to 44 today. This resulted in the number of African embassies in Ankara, which was 10 at the beginning of 2008, increasing to 38.
According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry , activities in Africa have been further expanded with institutions such as TIKA (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency) providing development assistance to third countries. AFAD (disaster relief agency) provides aid to many countries, while branches of foundations such as Yunus Emre Institute (institute for the propagation of Turkish culture, language and art) , Maarif Foundation (foundation for the management of educational institutions abroad) , Turkish Religious Foundation are spreading and Anadolu Agency (state news agency Anadolu) .
One of the most concrete indicators of the tightening of Turkey's relations with Africa is the developing economic relations and the increase in trade volumes. Total trade with the African continent reached $40 billion, up from $5.4 billion in 2003. Turkish Airlines flies to 60 destinations on the African continent! In fact, since 2008 the doctrine prevails, where a Turkish school opens, a Turkish Airlines flight follows.
The Nation newspaper , which circulates on the African continent, in its recent publication had the title "How Turkey opposes China's economic dominance in Africa?". The analysis highlights that some projects that were previously awarded to Chinese companies ended up going to Turkish ones, as Beijing, which seemed unbeatable in this field, began to lose ground to new competitors. The Turkish incursion comes at a time when the World Bank has announced that infrastructure spending will reach $300 billion a year by 2040 due to Africa's rapid population growth and the effects of urbanization.
The Turkish Contractors Association reports that Turkish companies currently carry out more than 20% of international construction work in Africa.
What is most critical here is that Turkey approaches these countries that have not overcome the trauma of colonialism with the principle of "respect for sovereignty". As Wamkele Mene , secretary general of the African Continental Free Trade Area , stated in the Turkish media , "Turkey comes without colonial baggage. That's an advantage."
In addition to business, Turkey's footprint is also expanding through soft power, with numerous education and outreach initiatives. It also has a role as a regional supplier of weapons, particularly armed drones.
"Turkey is making an important diplomatic and institutional breakthrough in Africa," reports the Economist and points out that "in addition to engineers, it is also sending weapons and soldiers."
According to Oksijen newspaper , "it is clear that Ankara is developing an aggressive strategy in the diplomatic, economic and military fields. It shows how engagement with these regions serves a dual purpose for Turkey: diversifying partnerships against isolation and asserting its strategic autonomy from the West.”
According to the newspaper, analyzes of the E.E. state that "the E.U. has an interest in understanding Turkey's motivations and strategies. In addition, wider geopolitical changes make it increasingly important for the E.U. to develop a constructive partnership with Turkey and address potential points of friction."
The recent overthrow of pro-French regimes in Niger , Mali and Gabon , and the simultaneous withdrawal of French forces, have seriously weakened France's historic political and economic influence in West Africa .
According to the BBC , this situation has whet the appetite of Italy , which wants to create a sphere of influence in Africa. Turkish media reports that the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni , expressed her desire to act jointly with Turkey in Africa, during her visit to Turkey last January.
The Economist reports that “Turkey is making a major diplomatic and institutional breakthrough in Africa. "In addition to engineers, he is also sending weapons and soldiers."
Turkey's steps in education are also impressive. Turkish "Maarif schools" provide Turkish education to around 20,000 students in 25 African countries, according to Turkish media. In the past, most of the schools were founded by FETO (Gulenists) , but Ankara's good relations with African countries helped to transfer their ownership to the new institution.
The Turkish Contractors Association estimates that Turkish companies currently carry out more than 20% of international construction work in Africa.
Over the past decade, nearly 20,000 students from Africa have received scholarships to study at universities in Turkey. The Turkish newspaper Oksijen reports that students who graduate from these schools easily find jobs as managers in many companies established to develop trade between Turkey and Africa.
Ankara's military footprint is growing in Africa. Turkey has backed the Tripoli government with military aid against the Haftar regime, and has attempted to show it has a strong presence in the region. The steps taken in Somalia have pitted Turkey against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey has signed military agreements with various African countries, such as Nigeria, Senegal and Togo. Many of these countries benefited from Turkey's experience in fighting terrorism. It is also a striking detail that an increasing number of African ambassadors appointed to Turkey are serving or retired generals. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute , it will come as no surprise that Turkey's military sales, such as drones and armored vehicles in the region, are now worth billions of dollars. Turkey's agreement with Somalia to protect its continental shelf may lead to the creation of a naval base in that country or in Djibouti.
Turkey is also gaining influence through humanitarian aid. It used to give money mainly through international organizations like the UN. In 2003, about 60% of Turkish aid was granted in this way. Today, that percentage has dropped to 2%. With Ankara's direct help, Turkish flags adorn food parcels, in schools and at water well inauguration ceremonies. "Turkey is known for giving blank checks when you desperately need financial or military aid," Abel Abde Emissier , who works for the British think tank Chatham House , told the Oksijen newspaper.
However, Turkish media reports that even TV series and movies shot in Turkey are among the most viewed productions in Africa on platforms such as Netflix . Many Africans say they learned Turkish from these TV series. It is reported that these TV series even influenced the socio-cultural structure of many African countries such as Nigeria and Uganda.
