Ambassador O. Koray Ertaş to Address UK–Africa Business Summit 2025

We are honoured to welcome His Excellency Ambassador O. Koray Ertaş, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the United Kingdom, to the 15th UK–Africa Business, Trade & Investment Summit taking place on 12 September 2025 at The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place, London.

Ambassador O. Koray Ertaş
Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the United Kingdom

Ambassador O. Koray Ertaş has served as Türkiye’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom since March 2023. His distinguished diplomatic career includes prior roles as Ambassador to Romania (2014–2019), Special Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (2019–2023), and Chief of Staff to the President of Türkiye (2011–2014).

Earlier in his career, he held key overseas assignments at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C. (2008–2011), the Permanent Mission of Türkiye to the United Nations Office in Geneva (2003–2005), and the Turkish Embassy in Sofia (2000–2003). He began his diplomatic service in the Policy Planning Department of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1997–2000). Notably, he also served as a Transatlantic Fellow at the U.S. Department of State from 2008 to 2009.

Ambassador Ertaş holds a Ph.D. from George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, a Master’s degree in Contemporary European Studies from the University of Sussex, and a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Ankara University.

Born in İskenderun, Türkiye, in 1974, he is married and has three children.

🇹🇷 Türkiye: A Strategic Partner for Africa

At the summit, Ambassador Ertaş will share insights on Türkiye’s growing bilateral relations with Africa—particularly East Africa, where Turkish companies are spearheading major infrastructure and industrial projects:

• Uganda: Yapı Merkezi is building a $3 billion, 273 km Standard Gauge Railway from Malaba to Kampala—Uganda’s largest rail investment to date—targeting 40% local content. Companies like Polat Yol, Level Energy, and Colin Construction are actively engaged in road upgrades and manufacturing initiatives.

• Tanzania: The Tanzania Investment Centre is partnering with Africapital Investment Holdings Ltd to channel Turkish investment into agriculture, mining, energy, and construction. Bilateral trade has more than doubled in recent years.

Türkiye’s Africa strategy centres on infrastructure delivery, local manufacturing, knowledge transfer, and sustainable trade partnerships. Ambassador Ertaş’s presence at the summit reflects this deepening commitment and offers a timely opportunity to explore new avenues of cooperation.