Erdogan marks Africa Day, AU founding anniversary

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday marked Africa Day and the African Union's founding anniversary with a message posted on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, extending warm congratulations to leaders and citizens across the continent while reaffirming Ankara's commitment to deepening bilateral ties.

Message of Solidarity

In a statement shared on the domestic social media network, Erdogan offered warm greetings to African leaders and citizens. "I wholeheartedly congratulate the May 25 Africa Day and the anniversary of the founding of the African Union, and send my love and respect to all our African brothers and sisters," he said, referring to the "strong historical and human ties" uniting Türkiye with the continent. The president emphasized that Ankara remains dedicated to strengthening partnerships with African nations based on mutual respect and shared values.

Continental Engagement

The African Union traces its origins to May 25, 1963, when 32 independent African states established the Organization of African Unity in Addis Ababa — now the seat of the AU Commission. The annual commemoration serves as a platform to celebrate continental solidarity and sustainable development. Ankara has pursued an intensified diplomatic outreach strategy toward Africa since 2003, elevating engagement through three Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summits and expanding Turkish Airlines routes to more than 60 destinations across the continent, according to diplomatic sources.

Economic and Security Ties

Turkish cooperation agencies including TİKA and the Turkish Maarif Foundation maintain extensive development and educational programs throughout Africa, while bilateral trade volumes have grown substantially over the past two decades. Defense cooperation has also expanded in recent years, with several African nations acquiring Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles from Turkish manufacturers to bolster their security capabilities. The next Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit is expected to convene in 2026, building on agreements signed during the 2021 Istanbul gathering.