Istanbul: Trkiye will connect seven African countries to the Development Corridor Project and the Middle Corridor trade route through recently signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) at a transport forum held in Istanbul. Turkish Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu made the announcement, emphasizing the strategic importance of these newly forged connections for enhancing Africa's integration into global trade networks.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Global Transport Connectivity Forum was attended by officials from a range of African nations, including Burkina Faso, the Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Morocco, Somalia, Mauritania, Liberia, Namibia, the Ivory Coast, and Egypt. The forum featured a special session focusing on linking Africa with global transit corridors, underscoring the commitment to strengthening transport connectivity.

After the session, memoranda of understanding were signed with seven African countries-Mauritania, Somalia, the Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Liberia, Guinea, and Ghana. These agreements mark a significant step toward integrating the African continent into the Development Corridor project via the Persian Gulf and the Middle Corridor trade route through Trkiye.

Minister Uraloglu highlighted the importance of ensuring uninterrupted access from Africa to global trade corridors. These connections aim to facilitate Africa's direct integration into the trade flow extending from Asia to Europe, providing a substantial boost to the continent's trade capabilities and economic development.