Background

The IV Turkish-African Business and Economic Forum will be held in Istanbul on 12-13 October, providing a platform for high-level political dialogue between African countries and Turkey and an opportunity for interaction between their business sectors. Turkey's foreign policy towards Africa has evolved significantly since the first Turkish-African Cooperation Summit in 2008. Turkey focuses on political, economic, humanitarian and cultural cooperation at bilateral, regional, continental and international levels and seeks to distinguish itself as a partner without an imperial following. The trade partnership with African countries is based on an "equal partnership and a win-win strategy". Turkish companies have implemented more than 1,150 projects across the continent with a total value of over 70 billion USD. Total trade with the region increased from USD 5.4 billion in 2003 to USD 25.6 billion in 2021.

The Event

It is against this backdrop that we are hosting this discussion in collaboration with the Deutsche Afrika Stiftung e.V. (DAS) to focus on the multidimensional relationship between African countries and Turkey by examining its various facets, including trade diplomacy, foreign policy expertise and educational efforts that promote mutual growth. What factors are responsible for Turkey's increased engagement with African countries and what are the common interests? How do African countries view their cooperation with Turkey and what do they expect from it?

Discussion

Dr. Samiratou Dipama

Dr. Samiratou Dipama, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law and Political Science, Thomas Sankara University in Burkina Faso

Dr. Marcus Knupp

Dr. Marcus Knupp, Deputy Division Manager for Africa/Middle East, Germany Trade and Invest, GTAI

Elif Ülgen

Elif Ülgen, Head of the Directorate General for East and Southern Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey

Moderation

Dr. Hürcan Aslı Aksoy

Dr. Hürcan Aslı Aksoy, Director of the Centre for Applied Turkish Studies (CATS), SWP