Turkey's expanding diplomatic network on the African continent has enabled breakthroughs in all areas

While Turkey's expanding diplomatic network in the African continent in recent years has enabled breakthroughs in all fields, the developments recorded have revealed that Turkey's relations with the African continent have undergone a great transformation not only quantitatively but also qualitatively.

The number of Turkish embassies in Africa increased from 12 in 2002 to 44 in 2024. Turkey has been strengthening its relations with the African continent in all areas within the framework of the multidimensional and proactive diplomacy approach it has followed in its foreign policy in recent years.

This process, which has gained momentum since the early 2000s, paved the way for both the increase of Turkey's diplomatic presence in Africa and the deepening of political, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation with the continent.

The steps taken in many areas, from the increase in the number of embassies to the development of trade relations, from education to health investments, have brought Turkey-Africa relations to the level of a strategic partnership.

These developments have revealed that Turkey's relations with the African continent have undergone a major transformation not only quantitatively but also qualitatively. Turkey's number of embassies in Africa, which was 12 in 2002, increased to 44 in 2024, while African countries also increased their embassies in Turkey. In addition, the number of African embassies in Ankara increased from 10 in 2008 to 38 in 2024.

President Erdoğan became the leader who visited the African continent the most with 53 visits The increase in the number of Turkey's diplomatic missions has brought success in all fields, especially in the political, economic and cultural fields.

With the increase in the number of diplomatic missions of Turkey, official contacts have increased. The number of reciprocal high-level visits in the last 5 years has exceeded 500.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made 53 visits to 31 African countries, making him the leader who visited the African continent the most.

Agreements are signed in all areas With the increase in the number of Turkish embassies, there has been an increase in the number of agreements made by Turkey with African countries. To date, Turkey has signed Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreements with 49 countries from Africa, Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments Agreement with 32 countries, Agreement on the Prevention of Double Taxation with 17 countries, Military Framework Agreement with 35 countries, Military Training Cooperation Agreement with 21 countries, and Defense Industry Cooperation Agreement with 29 countries. In addition, Business Councils were established with 49 African countries. Turkey's trade volume with African countries increased 9 times The opening of embassies also led to the growth of trade.

While Turkey's trade volume with Africa was 4.3 billion dollars in 2002, it increased to 36.6 billion dollars by the end of 2024, increasing approximately 9 times.

Turkey's investments in Africa were $67 million in 2003 and reached $10 billion in 2024. On the other hand, Turkish contractors are also working with the embass.