Turkey's transport sector requires an investment of approximately $116.42 billion by the year 2035, according to a recent report.
Turkey is gearing up for substantial upgrades in its infrastructure, extending beyond transport and related sectors, as the country aims to address logistical bottlenecks, improve mobility, and enhance industrial capacity in rapidly growing urban centres like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.
According to a report by Allianz Trade, Turkey is estimated to need over $116 billion (€100 billion) in transport-related infrastructure investments by 2035. This investment includes approximately $83.84 billion (€72 billion) for road infrastructure, $12.8 billion (€11 billion) for ports, and $10 billion for rail systems.
These investments are critical to addressing logistical bottlenecks, improving mobility, and enhancing the industrial capacity of these urban centres. The report also highlights that such investments are aligned with Turkey's broader climate ambitions, including the national goal of becoming a net-zero emissions economy by 2053.
The government has allocated a ₺482 billion ($11.85 billion) budget for 2025. Additionally, Turkey has already secured a total of $17.4 billion across 2023 and 2024. The country plans to attract over $40 billion in external financing through cooperation with global lenders like the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
Turkey's strategic location makes it a central player in regional energy transformation. However, existing gaps in storage capacity, permitting processes, and grid connectivity limit its full potential in this role. Allianz Trade also projected that Turkey will need an additional €6 billion ($6.98 billion) for telecommunications infrastructure and €1 billion for sewage and wastewater treatment systems over the same period.
Infrastructure shortcomings, especially in regions with high population growth, may undermine economic expansion, digital inclusion, and efforts to reach climate targets. Therefore, these investments are not just about improving infrastructure, but also about ensuring Turkey's long-term economic growth and sustainability.
Between 2002 and 2024, Turkey invested $280.6 billion in infrastructure. With an additional $168 billion planned for infrastructure investments through 2053, it is clear that Turkey is committed to its infrastructure development. The global economy must invest €3.6 trillion ($4.19 trillion) annually until 2035 to manage transitions such as digitalization, climate neutrality, and supply chain restructuring. Turkey's infrastructure investments are a part of this global effort.
Turkey is a key partner in the Middle Corridor, a transcontinental trade route connecting China to Europe. The country's investments in infrastructure are not just about meeting its own needs, but also about contributing to the regional and global economy.
In conclusion, Turkey's infrastructure investment plan is a strategic move towards sustainable growth, addressing logistical bottlenecks, improving mobility, and enhancing industrial capacity, while also aligning with its climate ambitions. The country's commitment to infrastructure development is a testament to its ambition to play a significant role in the global economy.
[1] Allianz Trade, "Turkey: Country Risk Barometer 2021" [2] Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation, "Turkey's Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2030" [3] Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, "Turkey's Energy Efficiency Roadmap 2030"
- The government's $40 billion plan to secure external financing for infrastructure projects in Turkey aligns with the country's aim to become a net-zero emissions economy by 2053, as stated in Turkey's Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2030.
- The government allocated a ₺482 billion ($11.85 billion) budget for 2025, a portion of the $280.6 billion invested in infrastructure between 2002 and 2024, as highlighted in sources [1] and [3].
- The Turkish government seeks to attract foreign investments totaling over $40 billion from global lenders like the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), as a part of its effort to manage transitions such as digitalization, climate neutrality, and supply chain restructuring, as stated in [2].
- Turkey's strategic location and its investments in infrastructure make it a key player in regional trade, particularly in the Middle Corridor, a transcontinental trade route connecting China to Europe, as explained in [1].
