Turkey’s Africa Policy

German Marshall Fund of the United States, October 07, 2013

Bülent Aras *

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.

* Bülent Aras is professor of international relations at Sabancı University. He is a global fellow at the Wilson Center and head of the board of academics and an expert at Hazar Strateji Enstitüsü (HASEN).

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