At TABEF 2025, Erdogan Takes Turkiye-Africa Relations To ‘Levels That Could Not Even Be Imagined’
The Turkiye – Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF) 2025 convened at the Istanbul Congress Center from 16 to 17 October 2025 under the them “Leveraging Turkiye-Africa Relations for Mutual Gains.” The Forum is hosted by the Turkish Ministry of Trade and organized by DEIK under the coordination of the African Union. This edition attracted some 3,000 delegates from 29 African countries and Turkiye, reflecting the sustained interest in the Forum.
The Chairperson of the African Union and President of Angola Joao Lourenco, the African Union Commissioner for Economic Development Francisca Belobe, the Deputy President of South Africa Paul Mashatile, the Gambia Minister of Petroleum, Energy & Mines Nani Juwara were among the top Africa leaders were in attendance. In addition to the Turkish President Erdogan, the Turkish ministers of Trade, Health, Energy & Natural Resources, and Transport & Infrastructure also made an appearance.
In his welcome address, Turkish President Erdogan highlighted the Turkiye-Africa relations has developed from a pure trade to the levels ‘that could not even be imagined.’ As such, Africa is a strategic priority for Turkiye and Erdogan has made more than 50 state visits to Africa during his tenure. Recognizing global uncertainties, he reaffirmed Turkiye’s commitment to contribute to the AU #Agenda2063 and UN #SDG.
“Turkiye declared 2005 as the ‘Year of Africa.’ Since then, 20 years have passed, and over these two decades, we have advanced our relations hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, and most importantly, heart to heart, to a level that could not even be imagined.”
Turkish President Recep Erdogan
On the diplomatic front, Turkiye has now 44 embassies in African capitals and count to set up more in the future. On the other hand, 38 African countries have embassies in Ankara, which is a testament to the dynamism of the relationship. Turkish Airlines has played a central role in promoting exchanges by serving 64 airports in 42 African countries.
The trade volumte between Turkiye and Africa has reached USD 37 billion in 2024, with a target of USD 50 billion ‘within the next few years.’ On the investment side, Turkiye’s cumulated #ODI stock into Africa is nearly 15 billion. Turkish contractors have implemented more than 2,000 projects worth a total of nearly USD 100 billion.
The next #TABEF is scheduled to take place in 2027. In addition, Turkiye and the African Union plans to hold the 4th Turkiye-Africa Partnership Summit (TAPS) in Libya in 2026. A Ministerial Review Conference took place in Djibouti in November 2024 to take stock of the Joint Action Plan 2022-2026 and to prepare for the upcoming Summit.