Turkey’s Engagement in Africa’s Development

Executive Summary

Turkey has significantly expanded its engagement in Africa in recent years through the activities of its government institutions, private sector, and humanitarian non-governmental organisations (HNGOs). The rapid increase in the number of Turkish embassies across the continent, together with the expansion of Turkish Airlines' direct flight network, reflects the growing political, economic, and social ties between Turkey and African countries. These developments also highlight the need for further academic research on Turkey's evolving role in Africa.

Against this backdrop, the workshop "Turkey's Engagement in Africa's Development" was held on 14 September 2015 at Makerere University in Kampala. The event was jointly organised by the Istanbul Policy Center at Sabancı University, the School of Liberal and Performing Arts at Makerere University, and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

The idea for the workshop emerged during a visit by Bülent Aras and Pınar Akpınar from the Istanbul Policy Center's Conflict Resolution and Mediation Program to the Department of Religion and Peace Studies at Makerere University in January 2015.

The workshop examined Turkey's role in Africa with particular emphasis on humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding. Four panel sessions focused on Turkey's medical humanitarian activities in Uganda, its role as an emerging donor, its approach to peacebuilding, and the contribution of humanitarian non-governmental organisations to peacebuilding efforts. This report provides an overview of the workshop's main discussions and key themes.