The Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) and the African Culture House have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on women's economic and social empowerment, opening a new chapter in efforts to connect grassroots initiatives with development opportunities across Africa.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), currently being held in Antalya, Türkiye.
The signing ceremony took place at the Zero Waste Museum within the conference venue, with the participation of Türkiye's Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Musa Kulaklıkaya; Ambassador Yönet Can Tezel, Director General for Southern and Multilateral Africa; Zeliha Sağlam, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the African Culture House; and Dr Nardos Berhanu Wudeneh, Executive Secretary of OAFLAD.
The MoU was signed by Sağlam and Wudeneh, establishing a framework for closer cooperation between the African Culture House's grassroots initiatives supporting women producers and OAFLAD's continent-wide network.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sağlam thanked Emine Erdoğan, wife of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Honorary President of the African Culture House, for her continued commitment to expanding the association's activities and strengthening its ties with African countries.
She also expressed appreciation to Fatima Maada Bio, wife of Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio and Honorary President of OAFLAD, for her support.
“The memorandum of understanding we are about to sign today symbolises our commitment to building a prosperous and just world for women in Türkiye and African countries,” Sağlam said.
Recalling the establishment of the African Culture House in 2016 as a corporate social responsibility initiative under Emine Erdoğan's leadership, Sağlam said the project was inspired by the Turkish First Lady's encounters with African women during her visits to the continent alongside President Erdoğan.
Moved by their dedication, skills and entrepreneurial spirit, Emine Erdoğan sought to create a platform in Türkiye that would recognise African women's contributions, celebrate their achievements and provide greater visibility for their experiences and aspirations.
Since its establishment, Sağlam noted, the association has expanded beyond its initial activities to include intellectual gatherings, cultural workshops and artistic performances.
“Since then, we have achieved many significant milestones, and today we are about to reach another milestone together with our partner, OAFLAD,” she said.
Expanding opportunities for women across Africa
Wudeneh, speaking on behalf of OAFLAD, welcomed the agreement and thanked the African Culture House for bringing the two organisations together and extending its hospitality during their visit to Antalya.
She described the partnership as an important opportunity to strengthen joint initiatives supporting women's economic empowerment, preserve traditional handicrafts and create new opportunities for women producers and cooperatives across Africa.
“This agreement is being signed at a particularly important moment, during COP31, when the world is paying greater attention to the impact of climate change on the rights, livelihoods and well-being of women and girls,” she said.
Wudeneh stressed that both organisations recognised the importance of placing women at the centre of climate action and sustainable development.
“We draw inspiration from the global leadership of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, whose Zero Waste initiative, in particular, has become a powerful model for sustainable development,” she added.
Connecting African producers with wider markets
Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Foreign Minister Kulaklıkaya said the agreement was the result of months of communication and dedicated efforts by all parties involved.
He also thanked Emine Erdoğan for her determination to extend the African Culture House's reach and strengthen its engagement with African countries.
Kulaklıkaya described the establishment of the African Culture House in Ankara as an important initial step in creating new channels of cultural exchange between Türkiye and Africa, particularly through initiatives led by and benefiting women.
He explained that the association purchases handmade products produced by women in various African countries and makes them available to consumers through a fair-trade mechanism.
The African Culture House currently showcases handicrafts from more than 40 African countries, he said, adding that the proceeds are channelled into projects supporting women and children across the continent.
Kulaklıkaya described the new agreement with OAFLAD as another significant milestone in Türkiye-Africa cooperation.
Under the partnership, the two organisations aim to facilitate access to fair markets for women producers, ensure that their craftsmanship receives appropriate recognition and economic value, and develop projects that respond to regional development needs.
The agreement will also encourage women to design and lead initiatives based on their own priorities and the needs of their communities.
“This is not merely a partnership between two institutions; it is a bridge connecting women’s hard work with the opportunities they have long deserved,” Kulaklıkaya said.
