Turkey Expands Trade, Defense, and Infrastructure Ties in Africa
Turkey is strengthening its influence in Africa through trade, defense, and infrastructure, with bilateral trade projected to reach $40 billion in 2025. Turkish contractors have completed over 2,000 infrastructure projects worth approximately $100 billion. The country has also initiated deep-sea energy exploration in Somalia and signed energy cooperation agreements with Ethiopia. Turkey's diplomatic presence has increased significantly, with a focus on embedding institutional ties across various sectors. However, challenges regarding governance and dependency remain.

Turkey's influence in Africa is growing through trade, defense, and infrastructure, with trade projected to hit $40 billion in 2025. Turkish contractors have completed over 2,000 projects worth around $100 billion.
A notable development is Turkey's deep-sea energy exploration in Somalia, starting in April or May 2026. Turkey has signed an energy cooperation agreement with Ethiopia, where investments exceeded $2.5 billion in 2025.
Ankara has increased its diplomatic presence, now operating nearly four times as many embassies as in the early 2000s. While this strategy embeds Turkish systems and practices in Africa, concerns about governance and dependency persist.




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