ANKARA – Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will travel to Djibouti next week to attend a ministerial meeting focused on boosting cooperation between Ankara and African nations.
Turkey has significantly increased its presence and influence in Africa in recent years, expanding trade, offering diplomatic and military support, and forging partnerships in various sectors.
The Djibouti meeting, scheduled for November 2-3, will evaluate the outcomes of a previous conference held in 2021 and explore new avenues for deepening cooperation. Fourteen African countries will be represented at the event.
Amidst regional challenges, including the dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia over a coastline deal and the rising terrorism threat in West Africa, Turkey has been actively involved in mediation efforts. However, the Somalia-Ethiopia conflict remains complex due to mistrust between the parties.
Turkey’s growing strategic interests in Africa are evident in its recent agreements with Niger, particularly in the mining, oil, and gas sectors. The Turkish Mineral Research and Exploration authority is on track to commence gold production in Niger by the end of the year.
