Faith Nyasuguta
Turkey has been actively seeking to enhance its diplomatic and economic influence globally, with a particular focus on Africa. This week, its capital Ankara announced plans to search for oil and gas off the coast of Somalia, highlighting its growing presence on the continent.
Over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two decades in power, Turkey has significantly strengthened its foothold in Africa, quadrupling the number of its embassies. Here are five key areas of Turkey’s diplomatic and economic interests and strategies in Africa:
Alternative to the West
Turkey positions itself as a viable alternative to Western powers, particularly at a time when many African countries are distancing themselves from their former colonial rulers. Selin Gucum, who authored a study on Turkish interests in Africa for Paris’s Observatory of Contemporary Turkey, noted that Erdogan often presents Turkey as a sincere partner compared to the legacy-laden Europeans.
According to Gucum, Ankara emphasizes the “sincerity” of its involvement in Africa. Teresa Nogueira Pinto, an analyst at Geopolitical Intelligence Services, added that Turkey does not impose conditions related to governance or human rights on its assistance, unlike Western nations.
Defense and Security
Turkey has established numerous defense agreements with African states, including Somalia, Libya, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Ghana. These agreements have created opportunities for Turkish defense manufacturers, particularly for their reliable and affordable drones.
Turkish drones, which are popular in counterterrorism efforts, have recently been delivered to Chad, Togo, and the junta-led Sahel trio of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Fossil Fuels and Nuclear
Turkey is also expanding its interests in Africa’s energy sector. In the coming months, it plans to launch an oil and gas exploration mission off Somalia’s coast, similar to its ongoing operations in Libyan waters.
Additionally, Turkey is reportedly interested in Niger’s abundant uranium deposits, crucial for operating its future Russian-built Akkuyu nuclear power station, although Turkish diplomats deny this.
President Erdogan has strengthened ties with Niger’s ruling generals since their 2023 coup, with Turkey’s intelligence chief and foreign, energy, and defense ministers visiting Niamey recently.
Infrastructure and Construction
Turkey is viewed as a reliable partner, particularly in construction and infrastructure projects. Didier Billion, a Turkey specialist at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs, noted that Turkish companies are known for meeting deadlines and budgets on large-scale projects like hospitals, airports, and mosques.
This reliability has driven demand, with Turkish contractors involved in $85.5 billion worth of projects in 2023, according to the trade ministry. Turkish Airlines also plays a significant role, flying to 62 destinations across Africa. It was the first airline to return to Mogadishu in 2012, where the airport was rebuilt with Turkish support.
Religion, Schools, and Television
Turkey has built considerable soft power in Africa through education, media, and religious ties. The Turkish Maarif Foundation has established a network of 140 schools and institutions, educating 17,000 students, while 60,000 Africans study in Turkey.
Ankara’s Directorate of Religious Affairs has increased its humanitarian activities, supporting mosques and religious education across the continent.
Turkey’s influence extends to media as well, with the television channel NRT serving 49 African countries and spreading the Turkish language. Public broadcaster TRT also offers programs in French, English, Swahili, and Hausa, and is developing training courses for future journalists.
Turkey’s religious conservatism resonates with many African countries, particularly as anti-LGBTQ laws are being adopted across the continent. Erdogan’s denunciation of “LGBTQ people who undermine family values” finds a receptive audience among many Africans.
Turkey’s multi-faceted approach in Africa emphasizes its ambition to be a significant player on the continent, leveraging diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties to establish a robust presence.
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