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Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF) will be organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) honored by the presence of H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, , and H.E. João Goncalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola.

DEİK continues its Business Diplomacy activities around the world to promote Türkiye’s international trade and investment. By engaging via Business Councils across 48 African countries, DEİK maintains its focus on Africa.

Hosted by the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye and coordinated by the African Union, the fifth edition of the Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum will be organized by DEİK on 16-17 October 2025 at the Istanbul Congress Center.

The Forum will be attended by the President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Chairperson of the African Union and President of the Republic of Angola H.E. João Goncalves Lourenço, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals of the African Union, H.E. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, President of DEİK, Nail Olpak, Coordinating Chairperson of DEİK/Türkiye-Africa Business Councils Fuat Tosyalı, as well as H.E. First Lady Emine Erdoğan and Ministers of Economy, Trade and Finance from various African countries.

The main theme of the Forum is “Leveraging Türkiye-Africa Relations for Mutual Gains”, with priority sectors including agriculture and food, renewable energy, transport and logistics, construction and contracting, mining, automotive, textile, defense industry, and digital technologies.

Thematic Panels, B2B Meetings, and B2G Sessions

On the first day of the Forum, country presentations will be held simultaneously alongside with panels on “Food Security and Sustainable Food Production,” “Türkiye-Africa International Civil Aviation Cooperation,” “Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies,” “Türkiye-Africa Logistics Hub,” “Türkiye-Africa Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship Dialogue,” “Competitive and Collaborative Textile Value Chains,”.

Second day of the Forum will host bilateral business meetings as well as panels on a variety of topics such as “Technology, Manufacturing and Mining,” “Financing Africa’s Infrastructure Needs: Türkiye’s Build-Operate-Transfer Experience as a Model for Africa’s Infrastructure Development,” and “Cooperation on Digital Trade: Turkish Producers and Digital Marketplaces in Africa”. Panels, G2B, and B2B meetings will run simultaneously throughout both days.

Türkiye-Africa Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship Dialogue

On the first day, the “Türkiye-Africa Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship Dialogue” panel will be held with the participation of H.E. First Lady Emine Erdoğan of the Republic of Türkiye and H.E. First Lady Ana Afonso Dias Lourenço of the Republic of Angola. Turkish and African businesswomen will share their experiences in transforming the business landscape, discuss collaboration opportunities, and explore ways to promote greater female participation in leadership.

Over 4,000 Turkish and African Participants

The Forum will bring together over 4,000 businesspeople from all African countries and Türkiye, including representatives from African Development Bank (AfDB), Afreximbank, Türk Eximbank, international and regional financial institutions, NGOs, chambers of industry and commerce, DEİK/Türkiye-Africa Business Council Chairs and their African counterparts, Turkish and African professional associations and entrepreneurs, diplomatic missions in Türkiye, and media organizations both in Türkiye and Africa.

Türkiye-Africa Trade Volume Target: 75 Billion USD

Türkiye’s trade volume with Africa increased from USD 5.4 billion in 2003 to USD 32.8 billion last year. The ultimate target is to reach USD 50 billion and then USD 75 billion. Türkiye aims to strengthen economic relations with African countries with a perspective focused on a win-win principle, contributing to Africa’s integration, economic development, and industrial growth. Türkiye’s exports to Africa reached USD 21.5 billion in 2024, whereas Turkish imports from Africa amounted to USD 11.3 billion in 2024. (End)