African traders have run businesses from Istanbul's Laleli district for many years. They ship clothes, cosmetics and home goods back to customers across Africa through small cargo services. The narrow streets once buzzed with porters carrying packages ready for worldwide delivery. Many merchants used to travel back and forth with suitcases full of Turkish products. Business has slowed down significantly during recent months.
Turkish authorities made residence permit rules much stricter starting during 2022. Officials want to limit foreign residents to 20 percent of each neighborhood population. Many African traders face deportation or cannot renew their legal permits. Fadil Bayero from Cameroon says his shipping room used to be packed to the ceiling. His cargo business moves much less merchandise compared to previous years.
Turkish textile prices have risen because of inflation above 35 percent since late 2021. African buyers have switched to cheaper suppliers from China and Egypt for their imports. Shamsu Abdullahi from Nigeria generates over one million euros annually from his trading operations. His residence permit expires soon and he expects authorities will refuse renewal. Local Turkish merchants have also lost most of their African customers.
Turkish authorities made residence permit rules much stricter starting during 2022. Officials want to limit foreign residents to 20 percent of each neighborhood population. Many African traders face deportation or cannot renew their legal permits. Fadil Bayero from Cameroon says his shipping room used to be packed to the ceiling. His cargo business moves much less merchandise compared to previous years.
Turkish textile prices have risen because of inflation above 35 percent since late 2021. African buyers have switched to cheaper suppliers from China and Egypt for their imports. Shamsu Abdullahi from Nigeria generates over one million euros annually from his trading operations. His residence permit expires soon and he expects authorities will refuse renewal. Local Turkish merchants have also lost most of their African customers.
