Africa-Press. Turkey’s exports to African countries increased by 12.6% year-on-year during the first seven months of 2026, reaching $13.3 billion, driven by growth in sales to several key markets, including Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa.
According to data reported by a local source, export growth accelerated in July, rising by 16.3% compared to the same month last year, totaling $2.3 billion.
This growth comes as Turkey seeks to expand its economic presence on the continent, benefiting from transportation networks and projects undertaken by Turkish contracting companies, alongside trade and investment relations with African nations.
Egypt Leads Imports in July
Egypt topped the African markets importing from Turkey in July, with exports to the country soaring by 49.3% year-on-year to $426.2 million.
From January to July, Turkish exports to Egypt exceeded $2.3 billion, marking a 26.1% increase compared to the same period last year.
Nigeria also recorded strong growth, with Turkish exports rising by 52.1% during the first seven months to $453.2 million, while July alone saw exports of $60.2 million, an increase of 7.5%.
Exports to South Africa increased by 31.3% from the beginning of the year until the end of July, reaching $479 million, with July’s figures at $66.9 million, up by 8.3%.
In Libya, exports during the first seven months rose by 2.3% to $1.59 billion, while in July, they jumped by 22.4% to $289 million.
Exports to Tunisia surpassed $720 million during the first seven months, up by 9.9%, with July’s exports around $101 million.
Niger recorded one of the largest monthly increases, with exports rising by 80.5% in July to $255 million, while total exports for the seven months exceeded $302 million, growing by 8%.
Market Variations
In contrast, exports to Morocco and Algeria showed mixed performance.
During the first seven months, exports to Morocco increased by 11.7% to $2.43 billion, despite a decline in July of 24.8% to $277.5 million.
In Algeria, exports fell by 18.8% during the first seven months to $1.09 billion, with a decrease of 5.8% in July to $142.5 million.
The head of the Turkish-African Business Councils Coordination Council stated that monthly fluctuations should be separated from medium-term trends, noting that the declines recorded in some markets may be cyclical and linked to current conditions.
Drivers of Growth
The expansion of Turkish exports to Africa is based on three main factors:
The first is logistical capabilities, as Turkish Airlines operates flights to over 60 destinations on the continent, alongside container shipping lines.
The second factor is the activity of Turkish contracting companies in port, road, airport, and housing projects, which creates demand for construction materials, equipment, and Turkish products.
The third factor relates to trade diplomacy, through official communication channels, business delegations, and economic forums that connect Turkish companies with African markets.
Key Turkish sectors competing in the continent include machinery, equipment, electricity, electronics, automobiles, supporting industries, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, food, and construction materials.
Deeper Partnerships
As trade continues to grow, the next phase requires moving beyond a model of exporting goods towards increasing investment, joint production, establishing distribution networks, and developing more flexible financing tools.
According to the head of the council, the African Continental Free Trade Area presents an opportunity for Turkish companies to establish production bases and logistical services in strategic locations, allowing them to access multiple markets from a single hub.
Egypt stands out as a potential base for joint production, benefiting from the free trade agreement with Turkey, its location, and its network of trade relations, with the possibility of increasing Turkish investments in industrial zones in the Suez Canal area.
In South Africa, potential opportunities are concentrated in industrial equipment, electronics, and renewable energy, while Nigeria offers a large consumer market, although exchange rate fluctuations pose challenges for companies.
The increase in exports to $13.3 billion over seven months indicates the expansion of Turkey’s commercial presence in Africa, while the next phase, according to the head of the council, is expected to shift a larger portion of these relations from direct trade to investments, production, financing, and joint logistical services.
