Turkish foreign minister to participate in Türkiye-Africa ministerial meeting in Djibouti

By Can Efesoy

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend the third edition of the Türkiye-Africa Ministerial Review Conference next week, according to sources from his ministry.

On Nov. 2-3, Fidan will represent Türkiye at the meeting, which will bring together foreign ministers and representatives from 14 African nations, alongside officials from the African Union Commission.

The African Union (AU) invited participating member nations through a formula it uses for its partnership meetings, the sources said.

The 14 African countries expected to attend are Mauritania, Angola, Republic of Congo, Ghana, Comoros, South Sudan, Chad, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Egypt, the sources said.

The conference will serve as a preparatory gathering for the fourth Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit, scheduled to take place in an African country in 2026.

A joint statement and the 2022-2024 Joint Implementation Report will be adopted at the end of the conference.

During the conference, Fidan is expected to hold bilateral meetings with African counterparts and officials from Djibouti.

- Türkiye-Africa ties

Türkiye's relations with Africa have evolved over the last 25 years, beginning with the country’s Africa Expansion Action Plan.

The relationship has since developed into a more comprehensive, institutionalized framework. Türkiye was granted observer status in the AU in 2005 and was designated a strategic partner of the African continent in 2008.

In 2013, Türkiye shifted from its Africa Expansion Policy to the Africa Partnership Policy. It remains one of the AU's nine strategic partners.

Türkiye's Africa Partnership Policy aims to enhance the continent's peace, stability, and economic and social development based on the principle of "African solutions for African problems." The policy emphasizes equal partnership and mutual benefit, focusing on humanitarian, social, and economic development according to each country's priorities and needs.

Türkiye’s projects in Africa also support the AU's Agenda 2063 and the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Not only public institutions and organizations but also the Turkish private sector and civil society organizations play an important role in Türkiye's cooperation with African countries.

- Türkiye-Africa summits and a ‘win-win’ approach

Türkiye and the AU held three partnership summits in Istanbul in 2008, Malabo in 2014, and again in Istanbul in 2021. Two ministerial review conferences were previously held in Istanbul in 2011 and 2018 to evaluate progress on the goals outlined in the Joint Action Plans adopted at the summits.

The most recent summit in 2021 led to the adoption of the 2022-2026 Action Plan, which outlines joint projects in peace and security, governance, trade and industry, education, youth and women’s development, infrastructure and agriculture, and health systems.

Türkiye views its relations with African countries as a ‘win-win’ partnership, said the Foreign Ministry sources, noting that some African countries even sought Türkiye assistance in resolving disputes.

- Türkiye's unique model for African cooperation

Türkiye views Africa as a region for cooperation rather than competition with other countries, prioritizing addressing the problems in the region with all their social dimensions.

The sources stated that Türkiye is implementing its own model in Africa.

Drawing attention to the importance of Türkiye not having a colonial past like some Western countries and major actors, the sources emphasized that African countries see Türkiye not only as a "development partner" but also as a "security partner."

They also highlighted that it is advantageous for Türkiye not to impose "debt pressure like China" on African nations and to avoid practices that could draw criticism, as seen in the case of Russia's Wagner Group. The sources noted: "Being an interlocutor that can establish equal relationships is an important factor for African countries."

Türkiye’s trade volume with African nations has increased eightfold over recent years, surpassing $40 billion.

- Defense industry collaborations

The sources noted that terrorism poses an existential challenge for Sahel countries, where some regions have fallen under the control of terrorist organizations.

They explained that Türkiye has been assisting these nations in strengthening their national capacities through military training cooperation and the supply of defense industry products, all while adhering to international obligations.

The sources expressed Türkiye's desire to share its experience in counter-terrorism with African nations, emphasizing that countries acquiring Turkish armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have enhanced their air dominance.

Meanwhile, the sources highlighted the significance of how Türkiye's activities in Africa are perceived, stating: "The US is perhaps one of the major actors expending the most capacity to understand what Türkiye is doing in Africa. Therefore, it is among those closest to correctly interpreting the situation. However, some other European actors may mistakenly view Türkiye as a player that undermines their interests."

The sources emphasized that categorizing Türkiye alongside some actors such as China and Russia as a threat to European interests is wrong in many respects.