Turkey in Africa

On 15 December 2020, the EUISS and the European Council’s Working Party on Africa (COAFR) held their ninth meeting to discuss Turkey’s involvement in Africa. Members of the European Council’s Working Group on Enlargement and Countries Negotiating Accession to the EU (COELA) also participated in the discussion.

The meeting looked at the growing Turkish economic, military, political, religious and cultural presence in the continent, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, and its implications for European interests and strategies. Prof. Luigi Narbone and Dr Virginie Collombier, from the European University Institute’s (EUI) Middle East Directions Programme, explored the evolution, drivers, modus operandi and sustainability of Turkish engagement in Africa. They also addressed its implications for the EU and provided policy-recommendations.

EUISS-COAFR meetings are coordinated and chaired by EUISS Senior Analyst Giovanni Faleg.