The geopolitical architecture of Africa is undergoing a fundamental transformation as Turkey positions itself as a primary security partner for nations across the continent. By leveraging a combination of sophisticated military hardware, flexible export policies, and massive infrastructure investment, Ankara is presenting a third way for African states seeking to move beyond traditional dependencies on Western powers, Russia, or China.
This strategic shift reached a new milestone on February 17, 2026, at the presidential complex in Ankara, where Turkish and Nigerian officials signed nine comprehensive agreements. These accords, ranging from military cooperation protocols to media and education, represent the practical application of a Turkish political doctrine designed to challenge established external influences through high-tech defence industrial cooperation and deep economic integration.
Nigeria serves as the geographic and economic anchor of this strategy. As the most populous nation on the continent continues its long-term struggle against armed groups like Boko Haram, the new military cooperation protocol facilitates a direct pipeline for Turkish defence expertise and equipment. Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat confirmed that the two nations are targeting a $5 billion bilateral trade volume, supported by the newly established Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) and a Memorandum of Understanding on Halal Quality Infrastructure. The scope of the nine agreements is intentionally broad, covering military training, diaspora policy, and higher education; however, the defence sector remains the vanguard of the relationship.
The primary catalyst for Turkey’s rapid expansion in Africa is its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. Turkish aerospace firm Baykar has successfully exported its platforms to a diverse list of clients, including Angola, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Togo, and Tunisia. Unlike many Western suppliers, Ankara offers high-end technology without the restrictive political conditions that often complicate procurement for African governments.
The technical specifications of these systems are particularly suited to the African operational environment. The Akinci UAV, a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) platform, features a payload capacity of 1,500 kilograms and an endurance exceeding 25 hours. This allows for persistent surveillance and precision strike capabilities over the vast, porous borders of the Sahel. In Mali, these systems were instrumental in the government’s recapture of Kidal, providing precision strike capabilities against rebel groups that were previously difficult to track in the desert terrain. In Niger, the delivery of Bayraktar TB2 platforms in 2022 provided an immediate force multiplier for counter-terrorism missions and border security.
The Bamako International Defence and Security Exhibition (BAMEX 2025), held in Mali from November 11 to 14, 2025, demonstrated the depth of this commitment. Under the supervision of the Turkish Presidency of Defence Industries, approximately 30 Turkish companies, including Aselsan and Otokar, displayed integrated defence solutions. This exhibition was notable for its exclusive focus on Turkish technology and included live field-testing in the Sahelian environment. Ankara is no longer just selling individual platforms; it is marketing a comprehensive security ecosystem that includes command-and-control systems, electronic warfare tools, and smart munitions.
While aerial platforms garner the most attention, Turkish ground systems have become equally vital for regional stability. In the Sahel, where improvised explosive devices (IEDs) pose a constant threat to patrols, Turkish armoured vehicles like the Kirpi, Ejder Yalçın, and Hızır are replacing older, maintenance-heavy Western equipment. These vehicles provide superior mine resistance and the mobility required to link isolated military outposts in Mali and Burkina Faso.
In Niger, light tactical vehicles from Turkey have enabled rapid response units to pursue armed groups across border regions that are inaccessible to heavier platforms. Further east in Chad, the focus has shifted toward low-cost, high-endurance vehicles to sustain ground forces operating across immense desert distances. By providing the essential logistical support and protective equipment that underpins soldier morale, Turkey is embedding itself into the foundational structures of African militaries.
The defence landscape of North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean is also shifting due to a rapprochement between Ankara and Cairo. A $350 million defence cooperation package was recently finalised between the Turkish state-owned Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) and the Egyptian Ministry of Defence. This agreement, stemming from high-level dialogues between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, includes the creation of a joint venture company to manage new production facilities.
Perhaps most notable is the approval for Egypt to join Turkey’s fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet program. This move, which would see Cairo participate as a co-producer with Turkish Aerospace Industries, has the potential to redefine air power dynamics in the Middle East and Africa. A formal memorandum of understanding is anticipated by the end of 2025 to codify technical exchanges and joint production schedules. This level of industrial cooperation indicates a high degree of mutual trust and a shared desire to localise advanced defence manufacturing.
Expanding Footprints in the Sahel and East Africa
Turkey’s military presence is also becoming more visible through direct deployments and base management. In Somalia, Ankara has initiated the deployment of an initial 500 troops to Mogadishu, the first phase of a planned 2,500-strong contingent. This force, approved by the Turkish parliament in July 2024 for a two-year mission, aims to strengthen the Somali government against Al-Shabaab. The arrival of personnel and heavy weaponry via military transport aircraft, supported by Qatari logistics, highlights Turkey’s role as a primary security guarantor in the Horn of Africa.
Simultaneously, the Turkish military is assuming control of the Abéché military base in Chad. This facility was previously a hub for French forces, and Turkey’s entry fills a strategic void left by the withdrawal of Paris. By securing bases in Abéché and Faya-Largeau and deploying drones to the region, Ankara is creating a logistical bridge across the continent while providing a counterweight to Russian influence in African security affairs.
Further south, Turkey is expanding its influence into East Africa through training and industrial partnerships. In Uganda, a Military Training Cooperation Agreement signed in 2022 is moving toward final ratification. This framework includes exchange programs and specialised training in IED combat, cyber defence, and intelligence operations for the Ugandan Army and its special forces. In West Africa, Senegal is deepening its ties with Turkish electronics firms. On August 7, 2025, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko visited Aselsan’s Golbaşı Technology Base and Havelsan facilities in Ankara, signalling future procurement of advanced sensors and communications hardware.
Integration of Soft and Hard Power
Turkey’s strategy is not limited to the sale of munitions and armoured steel. It is reinforced by massive infrastructure projects and enhanced connectivity. Turkish construction firms have completed over 2,000 projects in Africa, valued at approximately $100 billion. This physical presence is matched by the expansion of Turkish Airlines, which now serves 62 destinations across 40 African countries. This connectivity facilitates the “win-win” approach described by Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, fostering ties not just between governments but also among academics, students, and the private sector.
The regional security dynamics reached another turning point on February 11, 2026, when Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with Egyptian military leaders in Cairo. They witnessed a formal parade marking the assignment of the Egyptian Armed Forces to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This mission, which replaces previous AU initiatives, emphasises the territorial integrity of Somalia. Turkey’s role as a trainer and equipment supplier for both the Somali and Egyptian forces involved in such missions places Ankara at the centre of these emerging multilateral security frameworks.
By providing high-tech solutions like the TB2 and Akinci drones alongside robust ground vehicles and comprehensive training programs, Turkey is successfully binding African militaries to its own industrial and educational ecosystems. The lack of historical colonial baggage, combined with a willingness to share technology and establish joint ventures, makes Ankara an increasingly attractive partner. As traditional Western influence faces challenges and other actors like Russia focus on mercenary-based security models, Turkey’s approach of institutional capacity building and high-end technology transfer is carving out a permanent and influential role in Africa’s security future.