Turkey ramps up African influence as legal clash with Israel unfolds

Turkey and South Africa have taken Israel to the International Court of Justice, a move analysts view as part of a two‑decade Turkish strategy to expand its foothold across Africa. The plan includes expanding diplomatic missions from 12 in 2002 to 44 today, targeting $41 billion in trade by 2025 and growing Turkish Airlines routes.

Turkey is also investing in African infrastructure, health projects and scholarships, while selling defense equipment – drones and weapons from firms such as Baykar – to 18 African states, with exports nearing $1.8 billion. Private security company SADAT operates in nine African countries, deploying Syrian mercenaries in conflict zones like Libya, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Niger. In Somalia, the Turkish base at Mogadishu trains thousands of Somali soldiers, reinforcing a growing military presence.

The ICJ case is seen as a legal shield for these broader geopolitical ambitions, providing Turkey with diplomatic cover as it competes with Israel for influence on the continent.