(CAPE TOWN) – A high level Turkish delegation is set to attend African Energy Week 2025: Invest in African Energies from 29 September to 3 October in Cape Town. Turkey’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Ahmet Berat Çonkar, will deliver remarks highlighting Ankara’s growing role in Africa’s energy and mining sectors.
Over the past two years, Turkey has actively expanded its presence in Africa. In April 2025, Turkey signed an agreement with Somalia allowing the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to explore three onshore oil and gas blocks covering 16,000 km². The deal provides Turkey with cost recovery rights and low royalty obligations while offering Somalia a reliable partner for development. Turkey has also indicated plans to deepen cooperation in Somalia’s mining sector, targeting critical minerals essential for global energy transition.
In Libya, TPAO and Libya’s National Oil Corporation signed a memorandum in June 2025 to explore offshore areas south of the Greece-Libya median line. This involves mapping four zones for geological and geophysical studies, with 10,000 km of seismic data to be processed over nine months.
Turkey is also increasing engagement in West and Southern Africa. Agreements with Senegal in late 2024 aim to expand cooperation in oil, gas, and critical minerals. Private Turkish firms, including ALP24, have launched projects in Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia, covering oil and gas exploration as well as mining of diamonds, coal, copper, and cobalt. These minerals are central to Africa’s energy and electrification efforts.
Deputy Minister Çonkar is expected to outline how Turkey plans to expand these initiatives, combining state-backed diplomacy with commercial risk-taking and infrastructure development. As global powers compete for influence in Africa, Turkey is positioning itself as a pragmatic partner willing to engage in frontier projects. For African nations, Turkish investment offers development opportunities, though ensuring fair returns and benefits for local communities remains a key consideration.
“Turkey’s energy and mining engagement represents a new model of partnership. The Deputy Minister’s address at AEW 2025 will showcase transparent, proactive collaboration that benefits both investors and African nations,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
AEW: Invest in African Energies is a leading platform for project operators, financiers, technology providers, and governments to sign deals and explore opportunities across Africa’s energy sector.
