Bangladesh–Africa relations

Bangladesh–Africa relations

Bangladesh
AU
Diplomatic mission
  • Dhaka (High Commission of South Africa)
  • Dhaka (Embassy of Egypt)
  • Dhaka (Embassy of Morocco)
  • Dhaka (Embassy of Algeria)
  • Dhaka (Embassy of Libya)
  • Dhaka (Embassy of Kenya)
  • Dhaka (Embassy of Nigeria)
  • Dhaka (Embassy of Sudan)
  • Dhaka (Embassy of Zimbabwe)
Envoy

Relations between the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the continent of Africa extends to bilateral, political, economic and multilateral ties. While individual African countries maintain separate diplomatic missions and bilateral relations with Bangladesh, Dhaka has pursued a more coordinated "Look Africa" policy since the mid‑2010s, aiming to deepen trade, investment, and diplomatic cooperation with the continent as a whole.[2]

History

Bangladesh and Africa share a long history of cooperation, particularly through United Nations peacekeeping missions, where Bangladeshi peacekeepers have served in several African countries, notably Mali, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Sudan.[3] In the 1980s, Bangladeshi president Ziaur Rahman undertook high‑profile visits to Morocco (1980) and Senegal (1981), laying early diplomatic groundwork.[4][5]

After a long period of slow progress, in the 2010s, Bangladesh began a more systematic approach to Africa, often called the "Look Africa" policy. The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) published a comprehensive volume in February 2025, titled Look Africa: Exploring New Horizons for Bangladesh, which argued for a deeper economic, diplomatic and knowledge partnership between Bangladesh and African economies.[6]

Recent developments

In April 2026, Bangladesh's state minister for foreign affairs Shama Obaed led a delegation to the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, where she held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Guinea, The Gambia, Mali, Niger, Angola and Senegal.[7] During the meeting with Senegalese foreign minister Cheikh Niang, both sides agreed to hold Foreign Office Consultations and to explore opening resident diplomatic missions in each other's capitals.[8]

In May 2026, Bangladesh and Morocco agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, skills development, and multilateral affairs.[9] During the same month, the sixth round of Foreign Office Consultations between Bangladesh and South Africa was held in Pretoria after a six‑year hiatus, covering trade, investment, defence, education and sports.[10]

Economic cooperation

Bangladesh has promoted the Africa–Bangladesh Business Forum (ABBF), a private–led platform inaugurated in June 2024 in Conakry, Guinea, to facilitate business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking, investment promotion and market entry.[11] The first Africa–Bangladesh Trade Show and Business Summit was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 12–13 November 2025, drawing 40 Bangladeshi exhibitors and nearly 1,000 visitors.[12] A second summit is scheduled for Lagos, Nigeria, in June 2026.[13]

Bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Africa has grown steadily. In fiscal year 2024–25, Bangladesh exported goods worth $417.7 million to Africa, while African exports to Bangladesh totalled $2.90 billion.[14] Key Bangladeshi exports include ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, jute and jute goods, leather, ceramics and ICT services.[15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Officers in Mission". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  2. ↑ Look Africa: Exploring New Horizons for Bangladesh (Report). Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies. 24 February 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  3. ↑ "Senegal PM appreciates Bangladesh's participation in Dakar Forum". Daily Sun. 22 April 2026. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Bangladesh keen in deepening ties with Africa and wants Moroccan investment". The Daily Observer. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  5. ↑ "Dhaka seeks stronger ties with Africa under Tarique Rahman govt". The Daily Star. 23 April 2026. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  6. ↑ Look Africa: Exploring New Horizons for Bangladesh (Report). Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies. 24 February 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "Shama Obaed holds high-level talks in Dakar, eyes stronger Africa ties". The Daily Star. 22 April 2026. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Dhaka, Dakar agree to broaden political, economic cooperation". BSS. 23 April 2026. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "Bangladesh keen in deepening ties with Africa and wants Moroccan investment". The Daily Observer. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Bangladesh, South Africa vow stronger bilateral cooperation". BSS. 21 May 2026. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  11. ↑ "Inauguration of the Africa Bangladesh Business Forum – A B2B Platform in Guinea". Africa Bangladesh Business Forum. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  12. ↑ "BD-Africa trade show in Addis Ababa opens a new era of cooperation". The Daily Observer. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  13. ↑ "Africa Bangladesh Trade Show & Business Summit – Nigeria 2026". Africa Bangladesh Business Forum. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  14. ↑ "Africa emerges as key partner, Bangladesh eyes $4b trade". The Business Standard. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  15. ↑ "Dhaka, Dakar agree to broaden political, economic cooperation". BSS. 23 April 2026. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
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