Turkey is rewriting the rules of its engagement in Africa—and the scale of its ambitions is striking. Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankara has spent two decades building a unique blend of military partnerships, infrastructure projects, and diplomatic ties across the continent. In Somalia alone, Turkey operates its largest overseas military base, has trained a third of the national army, and is now developing a spaceport and naval facility. It is also pursuing oil exploration off the country’s coast. Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines connects more cities across the continent, and its universities welcome African students. Turkey’s trade with the continent has also grown, reaching $35 billion last year, nearly matching its trade with the United States. With these accomplishments—and with its diplomatic missions nearly quadrupled since the early 2000s—Turkey has deepened its ties with African nations and positioned itself as a key partner on the continent.
Bloomberg
