Türkiye’s Ege Exporters’ Associations (EİB) are setting their sights on a $2 billion export target to Africa by the end of 2025, following an impressive surge in trade during the first half of the year. After closing 2024 with $1.466 billion in exports to the continent—a 7% increase from the previous year—EİB members are now on pace to nearly double that figure within just 12 months.
The latest export data reveals not only volume growth, but also significant diversification across sectors and regions within Africa. At the forefront of this acceleration are food, metals, and furniture, which have collectively driven a notable increase in Türkiye’s commercial footprint across North Africa and beyond.
Agricultural Exports Lead the Surge
Leading the charge in the first half of 2025 is the Aegean Cereals, Pulses, Oil Seeds and Products Exporters’ Association (EHBYMİB), which posted $257 million in exports to African nations—a 30% increase from the $198 million recorded during the same period in 2024.
These gains have largely been fueled by strong demand for vegetable oils and animal feed, with Algeria, Libya, and Djibouti emerging as top destination countries. EHBYMİB Chairman Muhammet Öztürk emphasized the strategic importance of Africa’s growing population and food needs, pointing to these trends as long-term opportunities for Turkish exporters.
“We are confident that we will exceed $500 million in exports to Africa by the end of this year,” Öztürk stated, noting that the surge is supported by both product demand and targeted trade missions.
Steel and Metals See Triple-Digit Growth
One of the most dramatic increases came from the Aegean Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters’ Association, which more than doubled its exports to Africa—from $102 million in early 2024 to $232 million in the same period this year, representing a 127% surge.
The sector’s success was especially pronounced in Morocco, where steel exports skyrocketed by 309%, rising from $34 million to an impressive $140 million. Chairman Yalçın Ertan highlighted the evolving landscape: “North African countries have long been traditional markets for us, but we are now expanding efforts across the entire continent. By year’s end, we expect to approach $500 million in total exports to Africa.”
Ertan also emphasized that Africa now accounts for 18% of the sector’s total exports in 2025, up from 8.5% the year prior—a major leap in market share within a short time.
Furniture and Wood Products Build a Strong Presence
The Aegean Furniture, Paper, and Forest Products Exporters’ Association rounded out the top three, recording $75 million in exports to Africa in the first half of 2025. The sector has been particularly active in Morocco, where Turkish furniture brands are increasingly outpacing traditional European competitors like Italy, France, and Spain.
Chairman Ali Fuat Gürle attributed this success to well-organized trade delegations and Türkiye’s expanding presence in retail and real estate sectors. “We’re seeing the fruits of our efforts,” Gürle said. “Turkish furniture firms have opened numerous stores in Morocco, and we’re witnessing strong growth across construction, energy, logistics, and tourism as well.”
North Africa Emerges as a Trade Hotspot
Among African nations, Morocco led the pack with $200 million in imports from EİB members, up a staggering 118% from the same period in 2024. The country climbed from 26th to 13th place on the list of Türkiye’s top export destinations—largely due to strong demand for steel and furniture.
Egypt followed closely, registering a 40% year-on-year increase to reach $169 million. Notably, chemical exports to Egypt jumped 94%, while textile exports surged 200%. Steel exports rose from $30 million to $46 million, further underscoring the country’s growing appetite for Turkish industrial goods.
Algeria also demonstrated solid growth, with imports from EİB reaching $152 million—a 28% increase over the previous year. EHBYMİB alone contributed $110 million to this total, securing Algeria as its leading market.
Trade Delegations Fuel Market Penetration
Much of this momentum can be traced back to targeted sectoral trade missions. Organized by EİB, these delegations have played a critical role in building B2B connections, opening retail channels, and accelerating brand recognition for Turkish companies.
These efforts are not only expanding Türkiye’s export base but are also helping local producers tailor products to African consumer preferences—further reinforcing long-term engagement.
From Growth to Strategy: Where Türkiye’s African Trade Is Headed
The numbers reflect more than short-term gains. They signal a strategic shift in Türkiye’s trade policy toward Africa as a high-priority emerging market. With a young and growing population, infrastructure demands, and increasing openness to global trade, African nations are becoming pivotal partners in Türkiye’s export economy.
What makes this phase different is the diversification of export categories. Türkiye’s presence is no longer limited to textiles and food—it now includes heavy industry, chemicals, and high-value consumer goods. This breadth allows exporters to hedge risks and tap into multiple growth segments simultaneously.
Navigating the Path Ahead
As the second half of 2025 unfolds, sustaining this momentum will require continuous investment in trade diplomacy, customized marketing, and localized distribution networks. Turkish exporters must also remain agile amid global logistics challenges and regional political shifts.
Yet with robust institutional support, favorable demographic trends in Africa, and an increasingly sophisticated export strategy, Türkiye appears well-positioned to turn its $2 billion Africa export goal into a reality—potentially ahead of schedule.
If the current pace holds, EİB and its member unions are not just making headlines with record figures—they are rewriting Türkiye’s role in shaping the future of Afro-Eurasian commerce.
