A 500-year-old trade network is reviving modern diplomatic ties across Africa
Centuries after Ottoman merchants first established trade routes across East Africa, a shared history of commerce and architecture is fueling a massive modern resurgence in diplomatic and economic partnerships between Turkey and African nations.
The foundations of modern Turkey's influence in Africa date back to the 1500s, when Ottoman merchants traded cloth for cloves and goods via Zanzibar. These early pioneers left a lasting mark on the landscape, constructing forts in places like Kilwa and influencing Swahili architecture with distinct domes. This legacy predates European colonialism, allowing current diplomatic efforts to feel like a restoration of old ties rather than a new imposition.
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