The Sahel has long been viewed as France’s strategic backyard, a space shaped by colonial legacies and post-independence military partnerships. But recent political upheavals in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have disrupted this status quo. France’s declining influence in the region has opened the door for new actors, and Türkiye is stepping in with a markedly different approach.
While France’s military-driven presence has increasingly drawn criticism from local populations and governments, Türkiye’s entry has centered on diplomacy, humanitarian aid, infrastructure investment, and cultural exchange. From opening embassies to launching development programs, Ankara has positioned itself as a pragmatic, cooperative partner with fewer historical ties and thus, fewer emotional and political liabilities.
President Erdoğan’s frequent visits to African capitals and Türkiye’s growing trade and security ties with African nations signal a long-term strategy. The supply of Bayraktar drones, scholarships for African students, and increased Turkish investment in sectors like construction, healthcare, and education suggest a coordinated effort to build influence through soft power rather than overt intervention.
Still, the motivations are not purely altruistic. Access to resources, trade corridors, and geopolitical visibility are clearly part of the calculus. But unlike France’s legacy approach, Türkiye’s model seems to be gaining greater regional acceptance at least for now.
What remains to be seen is whether Türkiye’s growing presence in the Sahel offers a genuine path toward locally-owned development and autonomy or if it represents a reshaping of external dependency under a different flag. As the regional power balance shifts, the answer may lie not in rhetoric, but in long-term outcomes.
