Nigeria will take a central role at the Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF) 2025 as the Chairman of the Nigeria-Türkiye Business Council (NTBC), Mr. Dele Oye, leads the country’s official presentation in Istanbul. The high-profile forum is scheduled for October 16 and 17, 2025, at the Istanbul Congress Centre in Türkiye, with the theme: “Addressing Challenges, Unlocking Opportunities: Building Stronger Türkiye-Africa Economic Partnerships.”
The event, organised by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) in collaboration with the Presidency of Türkiye, the African Union Commission, and the Turkish Ministry of Trade, is expected to draw more than 4,000 participants. Among those anticipated are African heads of state, government ministers, top executives, and business leaders from across the continent.
In a statement on Sunday, Mr. Oye said Nigeria was uniquely positioned as the gateway to West and Central Africa, stressing that the country’s large population, estimated at over 200 million people, provides a huge consumer market for Turkish and international investors. He explained that the presentation will highlight investment opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing, digital innovation, and renewable energy.
According to him, Nigeria’s expanding private sector, natural resource wealth, and ongoing reforms provide strong grounds for long-term collaboration. “Nigeria is strategically positioned as the gateway to West and Central Africa. With over 200 million people, we offer a huge consumer market and vast opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships with Türkiye. This forum is an opportunity to unlock these potentials,” Oye stated.
The Nigeria Country Presentation will focus on agriculture, where the government is working to expand agro-industrial value chains to support food security and export markets. It will also highlight opportunities in solid minerals, especially in the development of green and rare minerals needed for clean energy and modern industries. The manufacturing sector, with an emphasis on industrial capacity building and textile competitiveness, will also form a major part of Nigeria’s pitch to investors.
Beyond these, Nigeria will showcase its growing digital economy, which has become one of the fastest-growing in Africa, driven by innovation in fintech, e-commerce, and digital services. Renewable energy is another focus area, with opportunities for investment in solar, wind, and hydro solutions to boost clean energy adoption and support sustainable development.
The forum will not only showcase Nigeria but also provide a platform for wider discussions on Africa’s economic challenges and opportunities. Panel sessions will address topics such as food security, agro-industry expansion, textile value chains, green and rare mineral transformation, pharmaceutical production, defence, security, and technological cooperation.
Organisers say these conversations are expected to provide practical solutions to enhance trade, deepen economic cooperation, and improve cross-border investment flows between Türkiye and African nations.
Mr. Oye reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria-Türkiye Business Council to building lasting partnerships that support growth, innovation, and inclusive development. “Our vision at the Nigeria-Türkiye Business Council is to build lasting economic bridges that facilitate trade, foster innovation, and drive inclusive growth,” he said.
Nigeria’s prominent role at TABEF 2025 is expected to strengthen bilateral trade ties with Türkiye, attract more investment into priority sectors, and enhance Nigeria’s reputation as a major hub for regional integration. With its large market, growing industries, and reform-driven economic policies, Nigeria aims to use the forum to position itself as one of Africa’s leading destinations for trade, investment, and innovation.
By promoting collaboration between government and private sector players, Nigeria hopes the forum will not only open new business opportunities but also contribute to job creation, industrialisation, and sustainable growth across the continent.
