Picture this: Over 4,000 business minds from 50 African countries buzzing in Istanbul, swapping ideas, sealing deals, and plotting a brighter economic future. That was the vibe at the fifth Turkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF), which wrapped up on October 17 after two days of high-energy panels, meetings, and networking. With a theme like “Sharing Common Gains by Strengthening Turkiye-Africa Relations,” it’s no wonder Ghana showed up in force,ready to turn handshakes into real opportunities for jobs, infrastructure, and trade.
Let’s rewind a bit for the backstory. TABEF kicked off in 2016 as a follow-up to the 2014 Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. It’s held every two years, and it’s grown into a powerhouse event. Turkiye-Africa trade has skyrocketed from a mere $5 billion in 2003 to a whopping $37 billion in 2024, with Turkish firms completing projects worth $100 billion across the continent. For Ghana, this forum is like a golden ticket, helping us shift from raw exports like gold and cocoa to value-added partnerships in manufacturing, housing, and tech. Amid global headaches like inflation and supply chain snags, TABEF offers a collaborative escape for African countries and businesses to build partnerships on a win-win basis.
This year’s edition was a blockbuster, with nine expert panels on everything from textiles and energy to digital trade and food security. Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat set the tone, highlighting the fact that Turkiye is eyeing $40 billion in trade with Africa for 2025. The forum’s joint statement was a pledge for deeper ties in agriculture, mining, and infrastructure. Music to Ghana’s ears as we tackle persistent food price inflation and push for industrial growth under our Medium-Term Development Plan.
Unlike in previous years, Ghana didn’t just attend, we made a strong impression across board. Our delegation, masterfully coordinated by the new Ambassador to Turkiye, Sheikh Abdul NasiruDeen, was a delight to watch. He played matchmaker extraordinaire, setting up high-level chats for officials and businesses alike during and after the event. Minister for Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, dove into panels on infrastructure and civil aviation, pitching Turkish know-how for Ghana’s big dreams in affordable housing and transport. Inviting Turkish firms to join our urbanization push.
Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi led the charge, calling TABEF a “game-changer” for Ghana’s agro-processing sector. He touted Ghana’s credentials as the leading light of the AfCFTA, as well as highlighted the enormous opportunities that exist in almost every sector of our economy. He invited the hundreds of Turkish firms at the conference to partner Ghana to build a modern economy in a way that delivers long term mutual benefits to both sides.
Our delegation comprised public and private players. From the public side, Ghana Water Company Limited explored potential tie-ups, aligning with the company’s goals to keep our taps flowing reliably. GWCL CEO Adam Mutawakilu personally led the company’s team to the event and chaired several meetings with a host of Turkish firms in the Water sector. Private firms in construction, cocoa processing, manufacturing, and more joined the fray, hunting for joint ventures in textiles, construction, manufacturing etc.
Why does this Ghana-Turkiye bromance matter? The numbers tell a thrilling story. Bilateral trade hit $888 million in 2023 (Ghana exporting $614 million, mostly gold, and importing $274 million in goods like machinery). We’re gunning for $1 billion by 2027, with Turkish investments already topping $1 billion and creating thousands of jobs. Turkish Airlines’ direct flights make it easier to hop between Accra and Istanbul, while events like TABEF keep the momentum alive, facilitating matchmaking that’s led to mega-projects done by Turkish companies across the country.
And let’s shout out some Turkish stars shining in Ghana. Karpowership has been a lifesaver since 2015, pumping out 470 MW of power via innovative floating plants to keep our lights on during shortages. There are several Turkish companies undertaking Port infrastructure, real estate, mining etc. These aren’t just investments, they’re partnerships that transfer skills, create jobs, and build resilience.
In a nutshell, forums like TABEF are the secret sauce for supercharging these ties. They turn big ideas into actionable deals, helping Ghana diversify exports, attract FDI, and weather global storms. With TABEF’s energy still fresh, Ghana and Ghanaian companies should ride this wave. We have to keep the conversations going and the gains flowing!
By Aboagye MINTAH
Source: ameyawdebrah.com/
