Türkiye’s deepening engagement with Africa is drawing praise from leaders across the continent, with Somali and Sudanese officials highlighting Ankara’s growing influence in humanitarian aid, development, and strategic partnerships.
Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, described President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s landmark 2011 visit to Mogadishu as a “turning point” that shifted Somalia’s trajectory. “At that time, Somalia was cut off from the world, facing famine and collapse. Türkiye’s presence brought international attention and hope,” Nur said. He emphasized that relations, which began with humanitarian aid, have since expanded to strategic cooperation in energy, fisheries, infrastructure, and even space exploration.
Mohamed Dhuubow, director at the Somali Investment Promotion Office, noted that Türkiye’s involvement has spurred investment and transformed Somalia’s economy. He pointed to the launch of Turkish Airlines flights to Mogadishu, as well as Turkish companies operating the city’s port and airport, as catalysts for economic growth. “Today, Turkish businesses are active in banking, construction, and beyond,” he added.
Beyond Somalia, Sudanese leaders have also welcomed Türkiye’s expanding role. Former Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq said Sudan views Türkiye as a key partner in its future reconstruction. He praised Ankara for supporting Sudanese refugees and stressed that African nations must chart their own course, free from exploitative policies of the past. “Sudan has vast agricultural and mineral resources. With Türkiye’s technology and expertise, we can build a new foundation for cooperation,” he said.
Al-Sadiq pointed to the opening of a Ziraat Katılım Bank branch in Port Sudan as an important step and suggested the creation of a transportation corridor linking the two countries. With relative stability returning to parts of Sudan, he urged the launch of broader strategic cooperation with Türkiye.
Analysts note that Somalia has become the symbolic centerpiece of Türkiye’s Africa policy, while Sudan and other countries are seeking to expand ties as Ankara positions itself as an alternative partner to traditional powers on the continent.