Africa stands out as a market that is increasing its importance for Turkey day by day. With the policies and commercial agreements implemented since 2003, there is a significant rise in commercial relations between Turkey and Africa. For the continuity of this rising momentum, Turkish Exporters continue their efforts to strengthen relations with African business people.
Turkey is among the top 10 suppliers of the continent in 2019, taking a 3 percent share of Africa’s total imports with exports of 16 billion 945 million dollars. The process, which started with the Opening to Africa Policy, continued with the African Partnership Policy, which was implemented in 2013, and Turkey’ relations with the continent achieved significant gains during this period. Turkey’s exports to the continent amounted to only 2,1 billion dollars in 2003, while this figure increased to 15.2 billion dollars in 2020.
Turkey, made $ 6 billion in exports with an increase 4.1 percent compared to the previous year, to the Africa Region in 2020. Exports to South Africa in 2020 amounted to 573 million dollars with an increase of 7 per thousand. When the sectors that stand out in exports to Africa are examined, the steel, chemical materials, grain and automotive industries draw attention.
Turkey’s exports to Africa in the automotive sector, in January 2021 reached pre-epidemic levels with $ 128 million. In January, exports to South Africa in the automotive sector increased by 5 percent, exceeding the level of 6.5 million dollars. These figures are considered as a serious indication of the potential and development momentum in Turkey-Africa relations in the automotive sector. Turkish manufacturers aim to seize all business opportunities in Africa with their production infrastructure and experience in the automotive sector.
Turkey attaches great importance to the development of relations with African countries within the framework of its efforts to expand to different markets and deepen its export portfolio in existing markets. For this context, Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), the upper institution of all exporters in Turkey makes several studies such as women-only exporters’ virtual trade delegation which was held on March 2021. Turkish women exporters showed great interest in the organization, which aimed at bringing together exporters and buyers in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania. 22 Turkish exporter companies were scheduled to meet around 70 buyers from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania through online meeting platforms. Also, The Automotive Digital Sectoral Trade Delegation was made by Uludag Automotive Industry Exporters’ Association in May. 20 firms from Turkey, met with 40 companies from South Africa. In order to improve relations, the 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit is expected to be held in Turkey in 2021.
African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which came into force as of January 1, 2021, in which 54 of the 55 countries on the continent are members, has become one of the main agenda items of TİM. Chairman of Turkish Exporters Assembly İsmail Gülle said that, “We are working with precision on this agreement, which we think will lead to the more effective use of rich natural and human resources on the continent, and what we can do to strengthen our relations with the continent.”
