Paper short abstract:

The Turkish presence in Africa incorporates African alums of Turkish higher education institutions, forming an "affinity diaspora." Using interviews to understand alums's contributions, the study emphasizes the significance of international higher education in Türkiye-Africa relations.

Paper long abstract:

The Turkish presence in Africa is beyond the Turks themselves; it includes the African alums of Turkish higher education institutions as they constitute an “affinity diaspora” according to the diaspora agency of Türkiye, namely the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, which is also responsible for the government-funded scholarship program for international students.

Türkiye’s strategic agenda of “Opening to Africa” has witnessed the involvement of diverse state and non-state actors, including businesses, and civil society organizations, and the literature on Turkish Africa opening policy has majorly been interested in these actors (Wheeler, 2011; Donelli, 2018; Turhan&Bahcecik, 2021; Tepeciklioglu, Tepeciklioglu&Karabiyik, 2023). This study explores the distinctive role of African graduates from Turkish higher education institutions in Turkey's Africa engagement. Using in-depth interviews, we seek to comprehend the activities, representative functions, and contributions of these alumni to bilateral relations. The research frames this exploration within the concept of "affinity diaspora," wherein states formulate policies to leverage the potential affection of former residents upon their return home (Ancien, Boyle&Kitchin, 2009).

As the alums constitute a unique segment that significantly contributes to shaping the multifaceted relations between Türkiye and African countries, their activities, experiences, and perspectives reveal the framing strategies employed with the international higher education programs. Hence, this research adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing insights from international relations, diaspora studies, and higher education research, and seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of the reciprocal perceptions between the Turkish and African societies through the interviews with African Alums as diasporic agents of Türkiye.