The Republic of Türkiye has unveiled plans to expand its trade relations with Nigeria, with a target of increasing the current bilateral trade volume from $1 billion to $5 billion.
This was disclosed by Elif Durdu, Deputy Ambassador of Türkiye to Nigeria, during an interaction with journalists in Abuja.
According to her, the initiative forms part of Türkiye’s Africa Partnership Policy, which has already driven the continent’s total trade with Türkiye to an estimated $40 billion as of 2024.
Durdu emphasised that despite being regional powerhouses, Türkiye in Europe and the Middle East, and Nigeria in West Africa, the level of trade between the two countries remains far below their true potential.
“Türkiye and Nigeria are significant players in their respective regions, but the current volume of trade between them does not reflect that potential,” Durdu stated.
She noted that Türkiye is now intensifying efforts to close this gap through increased bilateral engagements and deliberate efforts to attract Turkish investments into Nigeria and across the African continent.
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“Türkiye is striving to address this issue by increasing bilateral contacts, alongside attracting Turkish investments to Nigeria. Nigeria plays a special role in Türkiye’s trade ambitions in Africa”, she said.
Durdu highlighted several existing Turkish investments in Nigeria that demonstrate the deepening economic ties between the two nations.
One of the major investors is Hayat Kimya, a Turkish manufacturing giant operating in Ogun State.
The company, according her, has invested approximately $200 million in the production of chemical and hygienic products, including toilet paper and diapers.
“Another significant player is Ülker, which has committed $50 million towards the production of biscuits and chocolates under the McVitie’s brand.
“Also notable is Direkçi, a Turkish trading firm with a combined investment of $22 million in farming, livestock, poultry, and soybeans production across Jigawa, Niger, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja”, she noted.
In addition to manufacturing and agriculture, Turkish firms, she said, are also making inroads into Nigeria’s construction and energy sectors.
The deputy ambassador disclosed that Turkish construction firms have completed infrastructure projects in Nigeria worth about $2.8 billion, and many more are expressing interest in participating in future energy and infrastructure developments.
The push to scale up trade aligns with Türkiye’s foreign policy direction, which emphasizes stronger diplomatic and economic ties with Africa.
Over the past two decades, Türkiye has opened over 40 embassies across the continent and significantly increased its trade footprint.
With Nigeria being Africa’s most populous country and one of its largest economies, Ankara views the country as a strategic hub for expanding its presence in West Africa.
Durdu expressed optimism that with sustained dialogue, increased private sector involvement, and mutually beneficial agreements, the trade relationship between Nigeria and Türkiye would not only grow in value but also in strategic importance.
“There’s much more both countries can offer each other. Scaling up our trade ties is the path forward,” she concluded.
