Erdogan’s strategy for influence in Africa

Turkey is among the five most powerful countries operating on the African continent. It is present in regional crises, developing the role of mediator, currently between Ethiopia and Somalia. It sells defense equipment, with an emphasis on drones, and has established military and naval bases. It has managed to exert soft power in local culture and religion by offering various programs to mainly young people, whom they train in Turkey before they return to their countries as quasi-ambassadors of Turkish positions. In fact, having liberalized the visa regime for several African countries over more than 12 years, it has made it easier for them to visit Turkey at low cost, thus multiplying social and scientific interaction.

At the diplomatic level, Ankara attempts to take advantage of Africa's potential in global affairs, using anti-systemic, anti-Western and anti-colonial...