By Ebi Kesiena
Türkiye has hosted a high-level strategic dialogue with several African countries as part of efforts to deepen cooperation and strengthen partnerships across key sectors.
The Türkiye-Africa Strategic Dialogue programme, organised by Türkiye’s National Intelligence Academy, took place in Ankara from February 9 to 10, drawing senior participants from Türkiye and African nations including Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Nigeria, Egypt, Chad, South Africa, Senegal and The Gambia.
The two-day forum featured prominent speakers and panel discussions focused on defence, security, energy and communication. Opening the programme, Director of the MIT Academy, Professor Talha Köse, said the dialogue would examine current developments shaping Africa and their wider global implications.
Köse emphasized Africa’s growing importance on the world stage, noting that events on the continent are not solely African concerns but matters of global significance. He stressed that Türkiye does not regard Africa as an arena for competition or short-term interests, but rather as a community of equal actors bound by shared values.
According to him, Türkiye’s engagement with Africa is guided by the principle of “African solutions to African problems,” reflecting Ankara’s commitment to partnership and mutual respect.
Also speaking at the forum, Somalia’s Minister of Justice, Moallim Sheikhali, said the dialogue comes at a time when Africa–Türkiye relations have reached a level of strategic maturity that requires deeper and more structured engagement.
He noted that ties between Africa and Türkiye are rooted in history and differ markedly from relationships shaped by former Western colonial powers, emphasizing that they are based on mutual respect, shared benefits and partnership rather than domination or exploitation.
Sheikhali described Türkiye as a stabilising partner in the Horn of Africa, citing its support for Somalia in combating terrorism, strengthening maritime security and addressing transnational crime.
He added that Africa needs peace, stability and genuine partnerships, stressing that Türkiye has consistently acted as a “win-win” development partner on the continent.
