Türkiye’s Africa exports surge 12% to $11B in first half

Türkiye’s exports to African countries rose 12% year-on-year to $11 billion in the first half of the year, reflecting Ankara’s deepening economic cooperation and trade diplomacy with the continent, according to Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TIM) data. Trade diplomacy has been a key foreign trade policy tool since the Trade Ministry launched an action plan in 2003 to boost commercial and economic relations with African nations, promoting mutual investment and expanding Turkish firms’ presence in various sectors.

Top destinations and key sectors

Morocco was the top African destination for Turkish exports in the first half with $2.2 billion, followed by Egypt ($2 billion), Libya ($1.3 billion), Algeria ($950.9 million), and Tunisia ($619.4 million). Turkish investments in Morocco focus on automotive, cleaning products, textiles, mining, logistics, and iron and steel, with some 250 Turkish firms operating there. Morocco’s co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal is expected to offer new cooperation opportunities in transportation, construction, and contracting.

Strategic partnerships

Ankara targets $15 billion in trade volume with Egypt, its largest African trading partner and second-largest investment destination. Turkish companies are active in textiles, chemicals, manufacturing, and tourism in Egypt, and Turkish contractors are expected to play a greater role in Egypt’s 14 planned smart city projects. Türkiye and Egypt are also focusing on energy, mining, shipbuilding, and Ro-Ro transportation. Türkiye-Algeria trade relations have deepened in energy, industry, textiles, and construction, with a $10 billion trade volume target. Turkish exports to Libya are mainly furniture, food, machinery, and construction materials.