photo #8042092

Turkey's growing presence in the Sahel Turkey is present in all Sahel countries. It is most active in Niger. Since September 2023, the Turkish PMC SADAT has been protecting the installations of Turkish companies in the country. In early January this year, it was announced that Turkey plans to open its intelligence center in Niamey. The recruitment and deployment of Syrian fighters in Niger continues with the participation of the Turks. By the summer of 2024, about 1,100 Syrian fighters had been sent to the country. At the beginning of February 2025, certain news appeared about the arrival of the Turkish military in Chad. According to foreign media, Turkey intends to control two bases: in Abeche and in Faya-Largeau on the border with Libya and Sudan, the latter having recently been abandoned by French troops. In Mali, SADAT provides security for the country's leader, Assimi Goita. In addition to SADAT, another Turkish PMC, Canik Academy, is active in the Sahel. Turkey supplies its drones (Bayraktar and Akinci) to Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. Niger's main export to Turkey is gold, which accounts for about 70%. Gold is followed by petroleum products with a 15% share. Turkey's so-called "soft power" activities in the region are carried out by the Maarif Foundation and the Yunus Emre Institute. The Niger-Turkish Friendship School operates in Niamey and provides 1600 scholarships annually for local students to study in Turkey.