Libya Becomes Turkey's Third Largest Trade Partner in Africa
Libya has emerged as Turkey's third largest trade partner in Africa, following Egypt and Morocco, according to new trade data released by Anadolu Agency.
Turkish exports to Libya reached $2.5 billion in 2024, highlighting the strength of economic ties between the two nations.
The robust trade relationship has continued into 2025. In the first five months of the year, Libya imported $1.1 billion worth of goods from Turkey, maintaining its place among the top three African markets for Turkish products.
These figures are part of a broader trend of growing Turkish exports to the African continent, which increased by 8.3% during the same period.
Beyond economic ties, Libya and Turkey maintain an active defense and security partnership. This cooperation is grounded in the 2019 security memorandum of understanding signed between the former Libyan Government of National Accord in Tripoli and the Turkish government. The agreement has facilitated ongoing military collaboration and training support.
Turkey's growing influence in Libya is not limited to trade or defense. Ankara continues to engage diplomatically and strategically with both eastern and western factions, aiming to preserve long-term political and economic presence in the country. Tags: AfricaExportslibyaTurkeyTurkish
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libya Review
40 minutes ago
- Libya Review
Libyan PM Attends Police Academy Graduation Ceremony in Benghazi
Libyan Prime Minister Osama Hammad took part in a major graduation ceremony on Saturday in the eastern city of Benghazi, marking the commencement of the fourth class of cadets from the Higher Institute for Police Officers. The event was attended by Libya's Ministers of Interior and Defense, along with a number of senior officials, military commanders, and security leaders. The presence of top-level government and military figures underlined the significance of the occasion and the government's continued focus on supporting national security institutions. The ceremony featured impressive military displays and tactical field exercises by the newly graduated officers, showcasing their readiness, discipline, and the professional training they have undergone. These performances demonstrated the institute's role in preparing a new generation of officers to meet Libya's pressing security challenges. Prime Minister Hammad commended the graduates and reiterated his government's commitment to strengthening the country's internal security infrastructure. He praised the efforts of the security and defense ministries in maintaining stability, particularly in eastern Libya. The graduation comes at a time of ongoing efforts to rebuild and professionalize Libya's military and police institutions, amid regional tensions and internal divisions. The Libyan government-designate, led by Osama Hammad, continues to emphasize national unity and institutional development as part of its strategic goals. The Higher Institute for Police Officers in Benghazi plays a vital role in training and equipping officers to uphold law and order across the country. This latest batch of graduates is expected to be deployed across various sectors of the Libyan security apparatus. As Libya navigates a complex political landscape, such events serve as both a morale boost and a message of continuity for the country's law enforcement and defense sectors. Tags: benghazilibyaOsama HammadPolice Academy
Libya Review
3 hours ago
- Libya Review
Greece Urges Libya-EU Cooperation on Irregular Migration
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has confirmed the deployment of Greek naval vessels off the Libyan coast, aimed at curbing a sharp increase in irregular migration across the Mediterranean. Speaking ahead of the European Union summit in Brussels, Mitsotakis stated: 'I will brief my EU colleagues on the significant rise in the number of migrants coming from eastern Libya and call for immediate support from the European Commission to address this issue.' The Greek leader emphasized that his country seeks cooperation—not confrontation—with Libya to stem the growing tide of migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings to Europe. The move comes after recent months saw a surge in arrivals from North Africa, Sudan, and the Middle East. Mitsotakis noted that European officials—including the EU Commissioner for Migration, along with ministers from Italy, Greece, and Malta—are scheduled to visit Libya in early July to discuss joint solutions. He stressed the importance of Libyan authorities working collaboratively with European nations to tackle smuggling networks and migration flows. Commenting on Greece's naval presence, Mitsotakis clarified: 'When migrant boats are detected, we are contacted by Libyan authorities to intercept and return them to Libya.' Libya has long struggled with law enforcement and border control since the 2011 uprising that ousted longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. A decade of factional conflict has split the country into rival eastern and western administrations, making coordinated migration efforts more challenging. Tags: euGreecelibyaMediterraneanmigration
Libya Review
6 hours ago
- Libya Review
Libyan PM Rejects Greek Objections to Libya–Turkey Maritime Deal
Libya's parliament-designate Prime Minister Osama Hammad has firmly rejected recent statements from Greek officials questioning the legitimacy of Libya's maritime agreement with Turkey. In a strong-worded address during a graduation ceremony for officers from the Higher Institute for Police Officers on Saturday, Hammad reiterated Libya's categorical refusal to accept any form of challenge or interference in its sovereign decisions, especially concerning international agreements made with allied nations. He stressed that the maritime accord with Turkey is grounded in international law and does not violate the sovereignty of any third country. According to Hammad, the agreement reflects Libya's right to form partnerships that serve its national interests and enhance regional cooperation. He emphasized that these agreements are a matter of Libyan sovereignty and cannot be subject to external review or political pressure. The Prime Minister warned against the continuation of what he described as Greece's policy of provocation and incitement, asserting that such behavior only fuels regional tensions and undermines efforts toward stability. He affirmed that Libya retains the full right to respond decisively to any actions that threaten its territorial integrity or political independence. Hammad further clarified that the movement and operations of diplomatic missions and international organizations within Libyan territory are governed solely by Libyan law. Entry and activity must be explicitly approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant security bodies. He called on national security institutions to take all necessary steps to ensure the respect of Libya's legal and diplomatic frameworks. This firm stance comes amid a backdrop of heightened regional scrutiny following the Libya–Turkey maritime agreement signed in 2019. While Greece has claimed the deal infringes on its maritime rights, Libya maintains that it was negotiated and signed within the bounds of international legal norms. Tags: GreecelibyaMaritime DealPrime MinisterTurkey
