Jointly organised by the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye and the African Union Commission Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, and organized by DEİK, the Türkiye-Africa Business and Economy Forum (TABEF) serves as a platform not only for high-level political dialogue between African countries and Türkiye, but also as a catalyst for stronger business connections and networks.
From health, agriculture to security, automobiles and digital trade, many African countries are looking inward to fully exploiting and harnessing the opportunities this shared partnership has to offer.
For Senegalese entrepreneur-based in Mozambique, Mouhadji Lam, the forum is a great business opportunity for Africa to connect and better interact with their Turkish counterparts.
He said that he specialised in the agriculture, mining and building sectors and that is high time the two regions promote mutual business ties for both regions.
“African needs to change the idea, not only just to come here and buy goods. We want to work together like partners because in Africa we have vast lands that we can promote to boost our economies.”
He also spoke about existing vast potentials in the region, noting that those are areas that need to be nurtured, and harnessed to the fullest.
Another Turkish entrepreneur, Zeliha Saglam, chairperson African Culture House, revealed that her organisation was established in 2016 by First Lady Emine Erdogan as a social responsibility project.
“At the same time we can say that it is an example of cultural diplomacy. We are working with some African countries and supporting women. We buy items, handmade items.”
The organisation buys items from African countries from women producers and ships them to Turkey, adding that it is “a very good cycle actually.”
She noted that the 5th Turkey-African Economic and Business Forum would significantly boost ties between Turkey and Africa, citing that their motto is ‘strongest with Africa.’
“If we come together with African countries, we will be very strong. We believe in that.”
Mbabazi Jean Felice, Chief Executive Officer of FMJ Group in Rwanda, explained that his company deals in automobile, fuel and spare parts and gas.
For him, the forum could not have come at a better time than now, when a number of African entrepreneurs are making strides to promote trade and businesses across the region.
He also spoke about the immense benefit both regions stand to benefit in boosting trade and economies among their citizens.
The Rwanda entrepreneur expressed delight to attend this mega event, adding that it will accord them a great chance to share expertise and best practices while strengthening business and economies relations.
He indicated that the Asia-European nation has in recent past seen immense development in business, tech and innovation and they are increasingly penetrating African countries as development partners.
Besides, Turkey, a country that occupies a unique geographic position, lying partly in Asia and partly in Europe, in recent years has expanded its cooperation with a number of African countries, all geared towards promoting businesses, trade and even people-to-people ties.
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