Botswana’s Minister of International Relations, Phenyo Butale, arrived in Ankara on Tuesday for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties with Turkey. On Wednesday, he will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at a high level, where the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to increase cooperation in a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, infrastructure, transportation, education, health, culture, and development.
According to diplomatic sources, the talks will also emphasize the importance of private sector partnerships, with Ankara highlighting the importance of Turkish investors and entrepreneurs working on projects in Botswana as a means of bolstering economic ties between the two nations.
In what authorities see as a new chapter in the cooperation, Turkey is expected to indicate that it is willing to assist Botswana in opening a diplomatic presence in Ankara. It is also anticipated that the ministers would examine the work of the Joint Cooperation Commission, an established framework for bilateral interaction, and advocate for the upcoming holding of its next session. Making sure the commission is fully utilized as a platform for carrying out collaborative projects is the goal.
Fidan is also expected to emphasize how crucial it is to complete several legal agreements that are presently being negotiated to forge a more robust foundation for collaboration. Talks will also cover regional and global issues, including common interests on global issues.
The visit is indicative of a larger pattern in Turkish foreign policy, which has prioritized fostering ties with African countries more and more. Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s direction, Ankara has aggressively sought better relations with nations around the continent over the last 20 years, portraying itself as a trustworthy and equal partner rather than a colonial force.
This engagement, framed by officials as a “win-win” approach, seeks to foster mutual respect and deliver tangible benefits to both sides. As part of this vision, Turkey has expanded its diplomatic footprint in Africa, increased trade volumes, and promoted cultural and educational exchanges. The upcoming Botswana–Turkey talks are viewed as another opportunity to turn this vision into concrete action, opening the door for deeper economic integration and closer political cooperation.
Both governments are anticipated to release a joint statement after the visit summarizing the developments and restating their resolve to take relations to a new strategic level. The outcome of this meeting, according to observers, may pave the way for a more active collaboration, with Botswana possibly serving as a crucial entry point for Turkey’s involvement in southern Africa.
