12-13 October 2023 | İstanbul Congress Center
H.E. Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN, President of the Republic of Türkiye
“Türkiye-Africa relations are growing daily in a multidimensional way based on equal partnership and win-win.”
During the Forum, mutual investment opportunities in many fields, from energy to agriculture, from health to the banking system, and innovation, were discussed. Political suggestions that will galvanize the potential between Türkiye-Africa were shared by officials who attended the Forum. In addition to the strengths of our cooperation, the topics that we should work on together were also discussed and evaluated within the Forum's framework. I believe that the issues raised here will guide us in our efforts to strengthen our relations with the continent. Türkiye-Africa relations are growing daily in a multidimensional way based on equal partnership and win-win. Today, many investments in Africa, from airports to ports, public buildings to roads and tunnels, have the signature of Turkish contractors.
H.E. Amb. Albert M. MUCHANGA, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals
This year’s Turkiye-Africa Economic and Business Forum convenes against the background of global challenges of climate change and its adverse impacts of heat waves, flooding and drought, inflation, geopolitical tensions, food and energy insecurity as well as the lingering COVID-19 Pandemic is some parts of the world.
While this is a period of multiple challenges, it is also a period of opportunity and hope. The key lever is cooperation because it is a vital instrument in meeting the world’s complex challenges which no country or region can solve on its own. The Turkiye-Africa Economic and Business Forum is a strategic lever in this regard.
As the Forum convenes this year, Africa continues the trajectory of having a young and growing population in addition to having vast natural resources. This defines Africa as an emerging growth pole of the world economy. Against this background, trade and investments can be leveraged in the Forum to come with win-win outcomes between Africa and Turkiye.
This Forum shows some of the commercial opportunities available to African and Turkish business people. At the core are issues of agricultural transformation, manufacturing, decarbonization, transportation, logistics, education, health, construction, and, among several others, medical tourism. We can also use the Forum as a tool for promoting economic resilience in the era of multiple challenges.
It is in this context that I commend the participation in the Forum to the private sector, policy makers as well as entrepreneurs. I am sure you will gain from the insights in the various sessions of the Forum.
H.E. Prof. Dr. Ömer BOLAT, Minister of Trade of The Republic of Türkiye
"Adressing Challenges and Unlocking Opportunities: Building Stronger Türkiye-Africa Economic Partnerhips"
The Türkiye-Africa Economic and Business Forum is the essential platform dedicated to fostering trade and establishing robust economic collaborations between Türkiye and the African continent. On 12-13 October 2023, officials and business representatives will be gathering for the fourth time in Istanbul to explore avenues for enhancing economic ties that will shape the shared future of Türkiye and Africa.
This forum will be an occasion to delve into the challenges encountered in the realization of the economic potential of Türkiye and Africa, and to chart out ways to unlock new opportunities.
Throughout the event, participants from Türkiye and African countries will find the opportunity to share their knowledge and to analyze roadblocks through dialogue, while identifying pathways for collaboration, innovation, and growth in sectors that hold immense promise for both Türkiye and Africa such as agro-industries, healthcare and tourism.
The Forum will be a catalyzer for impactful initiatives for economic partnerships, including preferential trade. In this respect, we invite you to actively participate, share your expertise, and foster connections that will contribute to building a stronger and more prosperous future for Türkiye and Africa.
Mr. Nail OLPAK, President of Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK)
“With AfCFTA, a new free market with 1.3 billion population and 3.4 trillion dollars is created.”
With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, which has the potential to meet the agriculture and food needs of the global population, a new free market with a population of 1.3 billion and a value of 3.4 trillion dollars is formed. In the Turkish business world, We are already ahead of our competitors with our courage, speed, price, and quality. Our primary goal is to increase our trade with Africa from $25 billion to $50 billion. In order to do this, to overcome the delays and difficulties in the visa processes, to conclude the FTAs that are under negotiations as soon as possible, to conclude the Mutual Recognition and Protection of Investment Agreements, to increase the investments of our business world in Africa, to develop banking and financing opportunities with Africa, It is essential for us to focus on sharing know-how and to be Africa's technical partner in areas such as industrialization, agriculture, construction, textile, and health.
12-13 October 2023 | Istanbul, Türkiye
All sessions will be translated in Turkish, English & French
