Turkish industrial zone in Addis Ababa

Turkey is preparing to create an industrial zone in Addis Ababa, according to remarks by Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoğlu at his government's recent African Strategies Sectoral Evaluation meeting in the Turkish capital Ankara. The minister said that Turkey intends to establish the industrial zone following an offer of land for that purpose by Ethiopia.

Pointing to the "thriving" economic and social relations between both countries, Davutoğlu said that Turkey's plans in Addis Ababa were part of its African policy which started in 2005.
He said that there were now 341 Turkish companies operating in Ethiopia – many of them active in the construction sector – with a combined investment of $3 billion in the country. 

Turkey has wide-ranging trade, investment and taxation agreements across Africa, while the amount of Turkish ambassadors on the continent has risen from 12 in 2005 to its current 34.

In addition Turkey provides an substantial amount of aid to African countries and its national airline flies to 35 African destinations.