Ghana targets strategic deals at upcoming Türkiye-Africa Business Forum
Ghanaian businesses are preparing to leverage new trade and investment opportunities at the upcoming 5th Türkiye-Africa Economic and Business Forum (TABEF), scheduled for 16–17 October 2025 in Istanbul.
The biennial gathering comes at a crucial moment as Ghana seeks to diversify its trade partnerships and strengthen resilience amid global economic uncertainties.
Launched in 2016 under Türkiye’s Africa Strategy, TABEF has become one of the continent’s premier platforms for economic dialogue.
It is jointly organised by the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade, the African Union (AU), and the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK). Over the years, the forum has attracted ministers, business leaders, international financiers and entrepreneurs, resulting in trade agreements, joint ventures and investments that have spurred intra-African commerce.
Türkiye’s engagement with Africa has expanded rapidly since the early 2000s, supported by its “Africa Opening” policy.
The country now operates more than 40 embassies across the continent and has invested over USD10 billion in development projects. Bilateral trade between Türkiye and Africa hit USD40 billion in 2023 and is projected to rise further with increasing cooperation in technology, infrastructure and sustainable development.
This year’s edition, themed ‘Leveraging Türkiye-Africa Relations for Mutual Gains,’ will bring together high-level leaders, including Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, AU Chairperson and Angolan President João Gonçalves Lourenço, Türkiye’s Trade Minister Prof Dr Ömer Bolat, AU Commissioner for Economic Development Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, and DEİK President Nail Olpak.
The forum will feature ministerial sessions, panel discussions, B2B meetings, exhibitions and country presentations. Key panels will focus on food security, aviation, pharmaceuticals, logistics, mining, textiles, defence technologies and artificial intelligence, all areas with potential to reshape African economies.
Ghana’s Strategic Interests
For Ghana, TABEF 2025 offers significant openings in sectors where Türkiye has proven expertise.
As Africa’s second-largest gold producer and a top cocoa exporter, Ghana could benefit from Turkish know-how in sustainable processing and value addition.
Ongoing sessions on infrastructure and digitalisation align with Ghana’s Agenda 111 Digitalisation Programme and its ambitions under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
With Ghana’s pharmaceutical sector growing, the forum’s focus on medical supplies provides opportunities for technology transfer to reduce import dependence and bolster post-COVID health security.
The event’s emphasis on women and youth entrepreneurship mirrors Ghana’s National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), creating room for startups in agrotech and fintech to form cross-border partnerships.
Strengthening Ghana-Türkiye Ties
Trade between Ghana and Türkiye has shown steady growth. Bilateral trade stood at USD624.8 million in 2023, fell slightly to USD556.9 million in 2024, and has already reached USD602.2 million in 2025, with cocoa now driving exports.
Turkish investments in Ghana span construction, energy and manufacturing, while high-level exchanges, including President Erdoğan’s 2016 state visit, continue to strengthen bilateral relations.
With registration already open, Ghanaian policymakers, entrepreneurs and investors are being urged to take advantage of the forum, which promises not only market access but also long-term collaboration in technology, logistics and sustainable growth.
