Tunisia solidifies its role as primary conduit for Turkey's expanding commercial relationships with Africa

Turkey and Tunisia are strengthening their trade and investment ties, with both countries actively working towards boosting mutual trade. The Trade Ministry of Turkey and its Tunisian counterparts have organized a series of events, including trade fairs, roundtables, B2B meetings, and business delegations, to foster this growth.

These efforts are seen as strategic for Turkey's outreach to the African continent, with Tunisia increasingly viewed as a key hub. The Ambassador of Turkey to Tunis, Ahmet Misbah Demircan, emphasized Tunisia's importance as a "vital gateway" for Turkey to Africa.

The recent council meeting, hosted by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) in Istanbul, reviewed investment prospects in Tunisia and agreed to enhance cooperation in sectors such as tourism, energy, agriculture, industry, and textiles. The meeting focused on broadening cooperation to further boost trade and investment between the two countries.

In the first half of 2025, Turkey's exports to Tunisia amounted to $692 million, while Tunisian exports to Turkey reached $167 million. This represents a bilateral trade volume of $860 million, a 26.1% increase from the same period last year.

Demircan attributed the rise in trade to the "steps taken" and "initiatives launched" by both countries. He expressed optimism about the future of trade between the two nations, citing the increasing number of Turkish companies focusing on Tunisia as a launchpad for Africa. Hundreds of Turkish businesspeople have traveled to Tunisia in the past year to explore opportunities.

Plans for broad participation in upcoming fairs and forums have been made to further cooperation between Turkey and Tunisia. The council agreed to participate in these events to strengthen the trade and investment ties between the two countries even further. However, recent publicly available information does not specify particular Turkish companies that have chosen Tunisia as a starting point for their expansion in Africa.

As both nations continue to collaborate, they aim to safeguard a balanced trade relationship. The future looks promising as Turkey views Tunisia as a crucial stepping stone for its expansion in Africa. With cooperation in multiple sectors, including tourism, energy, agriculture, industry, and textiles, the potential for increased investment and trade is vast.