Türkiye–Africa business forum kicks off in Istanbul

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The highly anticipated Türkiye–Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF) 2025 officially opened today (Thursday, September 16, 2025), in Istanbul, marking the start of a two-day summit aimed at deepening economic ties between Türkiye and the African continent.

The forum was officially opened by Türkiye’s Minister of Trade, Omer Bolat, alongside the Commissioner for Economic Development from the African Union Commission, Francisca Belobe, signalling a strong commitment from both sides to advance commercial partnerships and sustainable development.

Held under the theme "Leveraging Türkiye–Africa Relations for Mutual Gains," the summit has brought together over 4,000 delegates, including heads of state, ministers, business leaders, and development agencies from across Africa and Türkiye.

Uganda, a key participant, is using the platform to promote trade and investment opportunities in infrastructure, agro-industrialisation, energy, tourism, and manufacturing.

Officials from the Uganda Investment Authority, Ministry of Trade, and private sector representatives are expected to hold strategic bilateral meetings during the event.

Key issues on the agenda include financing infrastructure through Türkiye’s Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) model, boosting agriculture and food security initiatives, partnerships in renewable energy, mining, construction, and logistics, promoting digital trade, textiles, and civil aviation collaboration, and expanding market access to increase bilateral trade volumes.

The programme also features Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) meetings, thematic panel discussions, and a special session on Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship, co-hosted by Türkiye’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan and Angola’s First Lady Ana Afonso Dias Lourenço.

The forum will conclude tomorrow, October 17, 2025, with a closing ceremony presided over by Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and South Africa’s Vice President, reflecting a united vision for stronger Türkiye–Africa cooperation.

As trade volumes and infrastructure collaborations continue to rise, TABEF 2025 presents a timely opportunity for Uganda to attract investment, foster joint ventures, and align with Türkiye’s development-oriented business model in line with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).