Turkey’s expanding influence in Africa should be of critical concern to the West. It comes at a time “when many African countries are rethinking their relationships with traditional western powers and international institutions.” “Turkey is stepping up its influence in west Africa – what’s behind its bid for soft power,” by Issouf Binaté, The Conversation, June 24, 2025:
Turkey is stepping up its influence in west Africa as the geopolitical and economic landscape in the region shifts. In Senegal, the state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation has entered a key partnership in the oil and gas sector. Meanwhile, Karpowership, a company providing electricity via floating power plants, now supplies energy to eight African countries. But Turkey’s not stopping there. As part of its soft power strategy, it is also winning hearts and minds through education and culture while deepening trade and security ties.
Historian Issouf Binaté, who has studied Turkey’s growing presence in west Africa, breaks down how Ankara is positioning itself as an alternative to both former colonial powers and newer global players competing for influence on the continent.
What drives Turkey’s growing influence in west Africa?
Turkey’s foreign policy in west Africa leans on two main pillars.One is institutional power, driven by state-backed agencies (embassies, the religious affairs directorate Diyanet, and the economic cooperation agency (TIKA) .
The other is more grassroots, led by non-state actors such as religious foundations and NGOs.
These groups laid the groundwork for Turkey’s African expansion long before Ankara officially stepped in…
…Back in 2003, Turkey had only 12 diplomatic missions across Africa. Today, that number has grown to 44, bolstered by Turkish religious foundations and NGOs.
More on Turkey’s influence, according to the Begin–Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA):
2014 marked the year when ISIS became a very real threat to the Middle East. Within one year, the group managed to take over a third of Iraq and half of Syria, with 200,000 fighters under its control. ISIS quickly became successful at producing oil and selling it as an important source of income. It also managed to ensure a constant supply of weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and advanced communication devices.
The ability of ISIS to become a functioning state so quickly is largely due to its relationship with President Erdoğan in Turkey.
ISIS has had strong connections to Turkey over the years, whether through its oil industry or through its willingness to shield wanted members of the Muslim Brotherhood. This “neighborly” relationship was essential to ISIS’s success, and it continues to be reflected in Turkish decision making.
Turkey’s support for ISIS is also delineated in Foreign Policy:
Beginning in late 2013 and early 2014, Turkish border cities became the chief logistical hubs for foreign fighters seeking to enter Syria and Iraq to join the Islamic State and other rebel groups. By all accounts, foreign fighters from around the globe first traveled to Turkey and then on to Iraq and Syria, forming the backbone and striking power of the Islamic State. In 2013 alone, some 30,000 militants traversed Turkish soil, establishing the so-called jihadi highway, as the country became a conduit for fighters seeking to join the Islamic State.
Erdogan’s expansion in Africa, not to mention his primary influence in the establishment of the Syrian regime under the jihadi Ahmed al-Sharaa, demonstrates his political muscle and seriousness about exercising it as he pursues his ambitions to revive a global Ottoman Empire with himself as caliph. While Africa is virtually ignored in the West (with the exception of allowing its illegals to invade Europe), it is taken seriously as a strategic partner by Erdogan, who will benefit from its rich resources. According to a report from Agence France-Presse:
Ankara has consolidated its foothold on the continent, quadrupling its number of embassies there….
At a time when many African countries are turning away from their former colonial rulers, Turkey has looked to fill the void left behind.
“Erdogan presents himself as an alternative to the West,” said Selin Gucum, author of a study on Turkish interests in Africa for Paris’s Observatory of Contemporary Turkey.
The Agence France-Presse report also states that “Turkey has signed defense agreements with a number of states spanning the breadth of the continent, including Somalia, Libya, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Ghana. Those agreements have opened up contracts for Turkey’s defense manufacturers, notably for its reputedly reliable and inexpensive drones.”
The West has not only failed to protect its borders — enabling a rapid expansion of Islam within — it is also confronted by rapid Islamic expansion globally.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
At some point, the Arab members of this Turkish outreach ought to ask themselves whether or not Turkey is trying to take over the leadership of islam and revive an Ottoman caliphate. Maybe Arab League members should ponder that before gleefully accepting this Turkish outreach
It is also a threat to many non-muslim countries in Turkey’s neighborhood – Israel, Armenia, Greece and maybe even more countries in Europe
gravenimage says
Yep–that is Erdogan’s goal.
GE says
I have been reading about the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan (Turkey’s proxy) in “Artsakh,
The Inadequate Response, Sultan Erdogan, PM Pashinyan, and Forging Diplomatic Relations with Turkey”
The methods Erdogan uses are the same in every country in which Turkey expands and seeks influence.
First, ambassadors are exchanged. Then comes an influx of subsidized goods produced in Turkey, which will swamp local markets with lower prices.
Unable to compete, the native people become poorer. Dwellings will be grabbed at higher prices than the market value. Stores will be purchased by Turkish investors to sell goods native merchants cannot match.
Turks will be encouraged to settle for free in the host countries. A few native people may experience
A growth in wealth, but it will come at the expense of the social fabric and identity of the host country.
Made me think of all the Turks in Germany, and other European countries.
IMO it’s just economic jihad. Africa should watch out.
John Smith says
Erdogan is the most dangerous man on the planet GE and his intention is to revive the Ottoman Empire, I’d just like to give you some facts that maybe you are aware of. The Ottomans invaded Syria in what is known as the battle of Marj Dabiq on Wednesday 24 August 1516. This invasion sparked the takeover of the middle east and a massive expansion of the Ottoman Empire. Erdogan also invaded Syria on a Wednesday 24 August 2016 exactly five hundred years to the day (coincidence I don’t think so)
Make no mistake, Turkey is in total control of Syria, and Erdogan doesn’t intend to stop there. It is written in Biblical prophecy that one day the Ottoman Empire will be resurrected. And yes I believe you are correct with your assumption of Turks in Germany and other European countries
GE says
I totally agree, sir.
He pulled the same thing in Lebanon, gaining a foothold there to counter Shia hegemony.
And I remember he is going to be taking over the management of the Afghan airport. Who know what he’ll be shipping in and out of there? Guns? Drugs?
The world is a dangerous place, and he’s the most dangerous man in it.
John Smith says
Muslims seem to have a thing about dates GE. After hundreds of years of trying to invade Europe and constantly failing, on the 12 September 1683 on their last attempt to invade Europe they also failed in what is known as the battle of Vienna. So it’s no coincidence that the twin towers were brought down on 11 September. What they are really saying is “we are back and you haven’t defeated us.”
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Armenia, of all countries, should avoid participating in this scam. Nobody knows better than them the perfidy of the Turks
gravenimage says
Spot on, Infidel.
Burnaby Lad says
hello erdogan
not my circus not my monkeys is a joke
memi says
Hitler said in 1938: “My greatest teacher was Kemal Ataturk”. Today, genocidal Turkey “teaches” in the Middle East and its proxy is Jihadist Syria!
Islamofascist, officiallly-genocidal Turkey is actually bankrupt and no one wants to “inves” in Turkey. It’s a basket case where inflation is 45% and most journalists and political dissenters are in jail, together with military “dissenters” and EU’s Report said it had no place becoming a “member”. Yet, incredibly and stupidly, EU ias asking Erdogan to be its “Defense Contractor” and join in to fleece EU taxpayers’ funds in the new EU “Nato”. The EU “leaders” whose citizens are fed up with illegal migrants taking over and destroying their cities and committing 70% of the crimes are fine with these barbarians who massacred 2000 Alawaites and Christians on Jihadist “Syria”‘s sea coast so Erdogan can install his military bases!
Recently, hundreds of Christians in a Church were exterminated, actually 30 died and 75 badly injured.
Jihadist “Syria” under terrorist al-Jolani Sharaa who was Wanted for Terrorism for $10Mil. was “blessed” by Biden and Trump and EU “leaders” shake his blood-soaked hands that have beheaded hundreds of Kirds, Christians and Jews!
Islamofascist Turkey is the New Iran!
gravenimage says
Turkey expands its economic and ‘defense’ strategy in Egypt, Morocco, Libya and West Africa
…………………………..
Of course, no one is threatning these places–but Turkey expanding its influence is not good for these places–nor for the civilized world.