Summary:

On 18 September 2025, Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat announced that his country will implement a new visa system for Libyan nationals, offering easily obtainable long-term and multiple-entry visas starting from September 15. The decision was revealed during the second round of the Türkiye-Libya Joint Working Group meetings in Ankara, attended by Libya’s Transport Minister Mohammed Al-Shahoubi.  

Bolat noted that bilateral trade reached $3 billion in the first eight months of 2025, with expectations to close the year at $4 billion and a target of $5 billion in 2026. He also highlighted Turkish contractors’ longstanding presence in Libya, with 641 projects worth $31.5 billion to date. Additionally, the long-delayed Türkiye-Libya Joint Economic Commission (JEC) will reconvene in December, while a new Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) agreement is set to be signed in Istanbul. Cooperation opportunities were also identified in agriculture, fisheries, mining, and renewable energy.  

For his part, Minister Al-Shahoubi emphasized Libya’s “Return to Life” strategy, citing major reconstruction and infrastructure projects, many of which involve Turkish firms. He also highlighted investment opportunities in Libya’s oil sector, alongside growing transport links with 50 weekly flights between the two countries.  

Outlook: 

The new visa system is poised to facilitate greater business mobility, strengthening Türkiye’s role as a leading partner in Libya’s reconstruction and development. It is another signal of Ankara’s apparent commitment to playing an essential role in shaping Libya’s future and, therefore, the economic and security environment across North Africa.  

With bilateral trade on track to grow, Ankara’s renewed engagement through the JEC and JETCO frameworks signals a more institutionalized economic partnership. Libya’s infrastructure and energy sectors remain central to Turkish contractors and investors, and expanded cooperation in renewable energy and agriculture could further diversify ties.   

However, this may also signal Türkiye’s strategic ambition to entrench its presence in Libya by combining economic incentives with political engagement, marking a deliberate effort to position Ankara as Libya’s top investment partner. 

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