Turkey’s Africa Policy

Since 2005, the makers of Turkish foreign policy have expanded the country’s focus, opening up to regions that were considered faraway territories in former decades. A significant step has been Turkey’s new Africa policy, which was created through a joint governmental, NGO and business community involvement. Turkish Africa policy is built around trade and investment, development assistance, education and health-oriented NGO activities, and charity work. The country’s main geographic focus has been the Horn of Africa, a strategic region, through mediation and peace-building efforts. It is too early to conclude that Turkey has a sustainable role in Africa. It has done well in the introductory phase, but it is now time to think about ways to achieve a long-lasting and beneficial Africa policy.