Emphasis on “Equal Partnership” in Africa
February 11, 2026
Turkish Maarif Foundation places the concept of “equal partnership” at the forefront of its Africa strategy. Operating in 27 countries across the continent, the Foundation continues its activities with a vision of a shared future and the “common good” in Africa. As part of his visit to Senegal, President of Turkish Maarif Foundation Mahmut M. Özdil inspected the Foundation’s educational activities on site and visited Maarif schools together with Türkiye’s Ambassador to Dakar, Nur Sağman. Accompanied by Ambassador Sağman, Özdil also met with Senegal’s Minister of National Education, Moustapha Mamba Guirassy, where he explained the strategic transformation in Türkiye’s perspective toward the African continent. Rejecting conventional approaches toward Africa based on “aid” or “romanticism,” Özdil underlined that Türkiye’s engagement with the continent is grounded in mutual benefit. Emphasizing their aim to deepen educational activities in Africa on the basis of an “equal partnership,” Özdil stated, “If the future of the world lies in Africa, we want to serve these lands with their young population and great potential, and also learn from them.” Sharing key messages regarding the Foundation’s educational vision, Özdil noted that their primary goal is not only to raise individuals who will build successful careers, but also “to educate generations who are in harmony with their own culture, homeland, and social fabric.” President Özdil stated that the Foundation, which operates in 64 countries, has nearly 75,000 students and has become one of the largest international school networks in the world in terms of geographical presence and student numbers. He underlined that Africa, where they operate 175 schools in 27 countries, holds a special and central position for the Foundation. “This is not a relationship built on the idea that ‘we know a lot, we are coming to tell you about our experience.’ On the contrary, it is an equal relationship. We have much to learn from Africa as well. We approach Africa not with romanticism or pity, but with an awareness of its rich resources. Knowing that these riches will play a crucial role for all of us and for the world, we design our activities to ensure that they contribute to placing African people in the position they deserve. Therefore, Africa occupies a central place in Turkish Maarif Foundation’s entire strategic planning and long-term vision,” he said.
Goal of Establishing Türkiye Studies Centers at African Universities
Özdil also drew attention to the need to enhance academic cooperation between Türkiye and Africa, stating that they aim to establish Türkiye Studies Centers in collaboration with universities across the continent. “Rather than knowing each other through secondary sources, we need to identify our needs by engaging directly and producing knowledge together. Therefore, by establishing Türkiye Studies Centers in cooperation with leading universities in the countries where we operate in Africa, we aim to enrich these academic collaborations and ensure that the activities of Turkish Maarif Foundation continue within a stronger and academically solid framework,” he said.
