Turkish Construction Companies Nip at Heels of Chinese Companies in Africa

 The Middle East Eye published on 5 February 2023 an article titled "The Turkish Construction Companies Outfoxing China in Africa" by Yusuf Selman Inanc.  

While Turkish companies cannot compete with Chinese companies for access to financing of projects in Africa, they have the advantage of being closer to the continent and technically superior construction.  Turkey now does 18 percent of its international construction business in Africa and has been winning contracts in competition against Chinese companies.  The latter continue, however, to build a far higher percentage of structures in Africa.   

Turkey's Expansion in Africa

 African Business published on 17 March 2021 an article titled "Erdogan's Ambition Drives Turkey's Africa Surge" by Charlie Mitchell.

Turkey is opening its 43rd embassy in Africa this year in Guinea-Bissau.  Turkish President Erdogan has visited more African countries than any other non-African leader.  

Turkey's Policy in Africa

The Center for Strategic and International Studies recently posted an analysis titled "Neo-Ottomanism: Turkey's Foreign Policy Approach to Africa" by Asya Akca.

The author concluded that part of Turkish President Erdogan's agenda is to turn Turkey into a global power, while also taking the country back to the glory days of the Ottoman Empire. By shutting down Gulen schools in almost 30 African countries, Erdogan sees himself as putting down possible threats to Turkey's global expansion efforts.

Turkey Competes with China in Africa

Nikkei Asian Review published on 12 May 2018 an article titled "Turkey Jockeys with China for Influence in Africa" by Akihiro Sano.

The article concludes that while Turkey cannot match China's financial muscle in Africa, it does offer an alternative to China, particularly construction of large infrastructure projects.

Turkey's Ties With the Horn of Africa

World Politics Review published on 9 November 2017 an interview titled "Turkey's Deep Ties With Somalia Reflect Its Broader Africa Strategy" with Michael Woldemariam, a professor at Boston University.

The author emphasizes Turkey's deep involvement in Somalia and the recent opening in Mogadishu of its military training facility for Somali security forces. He suggests Turkey's goal is to become a more important power in the Horn of Africa/Red Sea/ Gulf of Aden region.

Turkey in Africa

The Voice of America published on 7 November 2017 an article titled "Trade, Politics, Religion Draw Turkey to Sub-Saharan Africa" by Salem Solomon and Hilmi Hacaloglu.

The article, which draws on my comments, points out that Turkey has significantly expanded it ties with Sub-Saharan Africa in recent years. This initiative may not, however, extend beyond the Erdogan presidency, especially if there is a weakening in Turkey's economy.

Turkey Opens Large Military Base in Somalia

Quartz.com posted on 3 October 2017 an article titled "Turkey Has Opened a Military Base in Somalia As It Steps Up Its Africa Engagement" by Abdi Latif Dahir.

Turkey will train more than 10,000 Somali National Army soldiers as part of an international effort to restructure Somalia's police and military services as they continue their efforts to defeat the al-Shabaab terrorist organization. This is part of a wider effort by Turkey to extend its influence in Africa.

Turkey's Venture into Africa

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) published on 9 February 2017 a commentary titled "Sailing from Byzantium: Turkey's Venture into Africa" by Peter Fabricius, ISS consultant.

The article summarizes Turkey's outreach to Africa and concludes that the motives of its policy are not so clear.

Turkey-Africa Relations

On 31 October 2016 I gave remarks on Turkey-Africa Relations at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in Arlington, Virginia. It is an overview of diplomatic, aid, trade, investment, military, civil society and security relations.

Africa: China, Turkey, India and More

On 20 April 2016 the China Africa Project put online a 30 minute podcast with me titled "As China and Other BRICS Slow Their Investments in Africa, Turkey Ramps Up."
The discussion compares China's engagement in Africa with that of India, Russia, Brazil, Turkey, and the Gulf States.

Turkey-Africa Relations

TesfaNews published on 11 November 2015 an article titled "Turkey in Africa - A Humanitarian Approach" by Turkey's Foreign Minister Feridun H. Sinirlioglu.  The article is a useful summary of Turkey's cooperation with Africa. 

Turkey's Africa Policy

Chatham House published on 1 October 2015 a commentary titled "Challenged Ambitions: Turkey's Africa Policy and the G20" by Alex Vines, head of the Africa program at Chatham House. 

Vines concludes that even if Turkey does not develop into a major bilateral player in Africa, it seems certain that it will continue to grow as a major international hub for Africans and also a launch pad for further Turkish commercial engagement in Africa. 

Turkey in Africa

The 11 April 2014 issue of the Institute for Defense Analysis Africa Watch contains a brief analysis titled "Turkey in Africa: An Emerging Influencer?" by Ashley Neese Bybee. 

Turkey Engages Somalia

During the past year, Turkey has undertaken extraordinary engagement in Somalia, including the establishment of an embassy, a visit by Turkey's prime minister, and two flights a week by Turkish Airlines between Turkey, Khartoum and Mogadishu. Berouk Mesfin, senior researcher for conflict prevention and risk analysis at the Institute for Security Studies in Addis Ababa, has summarized this relationship. He concludes that Turkey seems to have won broad acceptance among Somalis, something that few other countries have been able to achieve.

Click here to read the brief commentary.