As traditional powers like France and the United States lose influence across the continent, African nations are increasingly embracing Türkiye’s rising role as a strategic partner — one that promises mutual benefit rather than dominance.
At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum held from April 11–13, Türkiye showcased its deepening ties with Africa through diplomacy, military cooperation, and economic engagement. Leaders such as Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud joined Turkish officials in a display of growing South–South solidarity. For many African nations, Türkiye’s “win-win” approach — rooted in respect, reciprocity, and shared development — is emerging as a credible “third way” amid global power rivalries.
“African countries are no longer passive recipients of global aid. We are choosing partners who treat us as equals,”
said an East African official attending the forum. “Türkiye’s model reflects that.”
Ankara has gained trust through concrete actions: offering affordable defense technologies, brokering peace efforts, investing in key infrastructure, and awarding thousands of scholarships to African students. Countries like Libya, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Kenya have signed defense agreements with Türkiye, while Somalia recently sealed a landmark oil and gas exploration deal that grants Turkish Petroleum Corporation access to 16,000 square kilometers of Somali territory.
Somalia’s oil minister called the deal a “historic day,” praising Türkiye as “a key ally” and highlighting the agreement as a turning point in Somali energy sovereignty.
Türkiye’s presence also extends into education, humanitarian aid, and soft power. In Mogadishu, it built its largest embassy in Africa, manages the capital’s main airport, and remains deeply involved in development projects. From Dakar to Djibouti, Ankara’s footprint is growing — and not through coercion, but cooperation.
Still, African leaders are urging caution to ensure this engagement remains balanced. “We must avoid a repeat of the past where foreign interests override local needs,” warned Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi. “A genuine partnership must be people-centered.”
Yet many on the continent believe Türkiye represents a fresh model. Unlike former colonial powers, Ankara offers practical support without imposing political strings. Unlike China, it emphasizes soft diplomacy and cultural exchange. In this, Türkiye is carving out a new lane — a third way for Africa to engage with the world.
As the continent increasingly asserts its agency in global affairs, Türkiye’s win-win approach may offer the kind of strategic partnership African nations have long demanded.