Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat stated that their outlook on Africa is built on "the principles of brotherhood, justice and equality, mutual respect and win-win" and said, "The theme of our summit (Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum) is to move forward together amid global economic uncertainty, to join forces against global challenges and to strengthen the Türkiye-Africa partnership."
The Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF), hosted by the Ministry of Trade, coordinated by the African Union and organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK), continues at the Istanbul Congress Center.
Within the scope of the forum, for which Anadolu Agency (AA) is the Global Communication Partner and which is held under the main theme of "Strengthening Türkiye-Africa Relations and Sharing Common Gains", the "Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum Joint Declaration" was announced.
Speaking at the meeting held on the subject, Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat said that at this major gathering, which started today and will end tomorrow, 28 ministers from 27 African countries and 4 regional organizations, many deputy ministers and high-level representatives, and nearly 4 thousand African and Turkish business people came together.
Bolat stated that, in addition to the official sessions, panels, exhibitions and business meetings are being held in many areas, and said, "TABEF aims to develop the commercial and economic relations between Türkiye and Africa and to contribute to Africa's development."
Minister Bolat, referring to the developments in trade volume and other areas between Türkiye and Africa, said, "Türkiye-Africa relations have made extraordinary progress in trade, investments, contracting, the services sector, transportation and energy. In 2003, Türkiye's foreign trade with Africa was 5.4 billion dollars, while last year it rose to 37 billion dollars. We estimate that it will reach 40 billion dollars this year."
- "Our outlook on Africa is built on win-win principles"
Minister Ömer Bolat, referring to the increase in the number of embassies opened in Africa, the number of destinations to which Turkish Airlines flies, and the volume of projects undertaken by Turkish contracting firms, concluded his words as follows:
"With a population exceeding 1.5 billion, the African continent will constitute one quarter of the world population in 2050. With its rich resources, domestic market and young population, Africa will become the locomotive of the world's economic development in the coming period. As the Republic of Türkiye, our outlook on Africa is built on the principles of brotherhood, justice and equality, mutual respect and win-win with the countries of the continent. In this context, the theme of our TABEF summit is to move forward together amid global economic uncertainty, to build a coalition of strength against global challenges and to strengthen the Türkiye-Africa partnership."
- "We want to further increase the trade volume"
Commissioner of the African Union for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Mining, Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, also said that the forum held within the changing global context is very important.
Belobe noted that the global economy is under very serious stress, and that inflationary pressures, disrupted supply chains, climate shocks and increasing geopolitical tensions are pushing countries towards more resilient partnerships.
Emphasizing that in doing so it is necessary to strengthen relations through joint investments and projects, Belobe made the following statements:
"In this sense, Türkiye and Africa are not starting this journey from zero. We are building on the foundation that we have already established and constructed. In this regard, the fifth edition of this forum is being held this year. We want to build on and even go beyond what we have achieved in the previous four Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forums, and to move forward by further increasing direct investments from Türkiye to Africa. As has just been mentioned, the trade volume between Türkiye and African countries has exceeded, is exceeding, 40 billion dollars. In this context, within the framework of Africa's 2063 strategic agenda, we want to carry these figures even further."
- Thematic areas determined
At the meeting attended by Minister of Trade Bolat and African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Mining Belobe, the "Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum Joint Declaration" was announced.
In the declaration, it was stated that the forum was held with the aim of "deepening strategic economic cooperation between Türkiye and Africa and advancing sustainable development through a resilient, mutually beneficial partnership", and that the event, organized in the current environment of global economic uncertainty, emphasized the importance of building resilient, inclusive and transformative economic partnerships between Türkiye and Africa.
According to the joint declaration, the forum underlined a common vision on economic transformation, industrialization and regional integration, and reaffirmed its commitment to the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
While the forum welcomed the increasing strategic importance of Türkiye-Africa economic relations, it also highlighted the need to further deepen cooperation in value chain development, trade diversification, technology transfer and joint infrastructure investments.
The forum, which pledged to further strengthen bilateral relations, expressed its wish that cooperation and dialogue among business communities themselves and between them and governments should continue in the identified thematic areas on the basis of respectful, constructive and win-win principles.
These thematic areas were listed as "cooperation on food security and sustainable food production", "Türkiye-Africa international civil aviation cooperation", "pharmaceuticals and medical supplies sector", "Türkiye-Africa logistics hub", "women's leadership and entrepreneurship", "competitive and cooperation-based textile sector", "energy and mining", "meeting Africa's infrastructure financing needs" and "trade, technology and digital production".
It was agreed that the outcomes of the fifth edition of the forum held this year would be implemented, and it was decided that the sixth Türkiye-Africa Economy and Business Forum would be held in 2027.
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