Turkey will host the fifth Turkey-Africa Economic and Business Forum (TABEF) from October 16 to 17, 2025, in Istanbul. This forum, which will be held under the auspices of the Turkish Ministry of Commerce in coordination with the African union, will feature prominent figures such as Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish president, and João Lourenço, the Angolan president and the African union. The forum itself is expected to be a major event for strengthening multilateral economic relations between Turkey and African countries. More than 4,000 participants, including heads of state, ministers, industrialists, financiers, and entrepreneurs from Turkey and Africa, are expected to attend the forum at the Istanbul Congress Center.
It is a high-level meeting supported by clear economic ambitions. Ongoing to be organized under the theme “Strengthening Turkey-Africa relations for mutual gains”, the forum reflects a shared willingness to reach 75 billion USD in trade exchange in the coming years. Key sectors on the agenda include agriculture, renewable energies, food security, construction, mining, transportation, textiles, automotive, defence and digital technologies.
The sessions scheduled during this event will allow participating economic actors to forge strong partnerships, bolstered by the presence of financial institutions such as the African Development Bank, AfreximBank and Türk EximBank. Female leadership will also be highlighted during this forum. A dedicated panel will bring together influential figures like Emine Erdoğan and Ana Dias Lourenço to promote greater female representation in the economy.
This forum will serve as not only a diplomatic showcase but also a true platform for pragmatic cooperation. It embodies a new dynamic where Turkey and African countries position themselves as strategic partners in a multipolar world. For African entrepreneurs, it is an excellent opportunity to open up to new markets, highlight their expertise, and build sustainable alliances.
