(Ecofin Agency) - The strengthening of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Africa has significantly boosted bilateral trade. Yasin Ekrem Serim, the Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister, announced on September 19 that trade between his country and Africa has increased eightfold over the past two decades, reaching $40.7 billion in 2022.

"Our trade with Africa has multiplied eightfold. It was $5.4 billion in 2003 and now reached $40.7 billion in 2022," he revealed during a Turkey-Africa business forum held in Istanbul. The event gathered nearly 1500 business leaders, we learned.

The Turkish official also emphasized that this surge in trade is a result of strengthened diplomatic relations with the continent. "We shifted to a partnership policy with Africa in 2013. The number of our embassies on the continent, which was limited to 12 in 2012, has now risen to 44. In the 1990s, among sub-Saharan African countries, only Sudan had an embassy in our country. Today, that number has increased to 38," he said, pointing out that "Africa emerges as the rising star of the 21st century with its cultural heritage and enormous potential."