The Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF) will be organized on October 16-17, 2025, hosted by the Ministry of Trade, with the coordination of the African Union and the organization of DEİK. Panels bringing together the public, private sector, and finance world, bilateral meetings, and free fair areas will take place in the forum. Among the priority sectors, agriculture/food, renewable energy, mining, automotive, construction/contracting, logistics, defense industry, and digital technologies stand out. It is expected that the forum to be organized will take place with the participation of at least 4,000 business people. Furthermore, the information that the Türkiye-Africa bilateral trade volume rose to approximately 32.8 billion USD in 2024 and that this value is targeted to be reached to 50–75 billion USD in the coming years stands out.
Similarly, the BAMEX Defense Industry Fair, which will be held in Mali’s capital Bamako on November 11–14, 2025, stands out as an important turning point embodying Türkiye’s security and defense cooperation in Africa. Approximately 30 Turkish firms are expected to participate alongside leading companies like BAYKAR, ASELSAN, and MKE. This participation shows that long-term cooperations can be established not only in product sales but also in areas such as military training, maintenance-repair services, and technology transfer. As is known, the security problems African countries face — terrorism, trans-border organized crimes, internal instabilities — make defense and security procurement a strategic priority. In this framework, Türkiye strengthens its “alternative supplier” identity in Africa by offering more accessible and cost-competitive solutions than Western countries.
Strategic Orientations and Scenarios of Türkiye–Africa Relations Post-TABEF and BAMEX
TABEF and the gradually rising trade volume between Türkiye and Africa can offer new opportunities for both sides. Türkiye’s SME network is wide, and its production capacity is dynamic; this situation can provide an advantage in cost-effective export and contracting works in African markets. At this point, it can be foreseen that the agreements to be made will concentrate especially in the fields of infrastructure, energy, defense maintenance, and spare parts. TABEF can provide for the strengthening of investment and financing mechanisms of Türkiye with continent countries, the discovery of new cooperation areas, and the initiation of joint projects in strategic sectors.
As for the BAMEX fair, it can be foreseen that it will carry multiple importances for Türkiye. As is known, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa show great interest in Turkish firms in segments such as unmanned aerial vehicles, armored vehicles, communication systems, and light weapons, and it can be said that the establishment of new cooperations with this fair is likely. Similarly, the strengthening of political dialogue in the security field with West African countries, primarily Mali, can be expected via the Fair. From this aspect, Turkish companies making maintenance centers, training programs, and technical support agreements by means of the fair will be decisive for a sustainable Turkish presence in the region.
As a result, the opportunities these two platforms will offer will contribute to Türkiye forming a sustainable economic and security presence in Africa, developing joint projects in strategic sectors, and establishing long-term trust-based relations with continent countries. In this direction, TABEF and BAMEX can be evaluated as critical steps strengthening both economic and security dimensions of the Türkiye-Africa partnership.
References
https://www.trthaber.com/haber/savunma/afrika-turk-savunma-sanayii-firmalarini-bekliyor-919714.html
Photograph: Anadolu Ajansı
