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Istanbul Africa Trade Company

Services

Sector and Product Investigation

We offer market research services for your business needs. We offer you a wide selection of products and producers with the competitive prices in a detailed report.

product and market research in africa glass

Sector and Product Investigation Services

Reliable Supplier

Tell us what products or services you're looking for and we'll find the most suitable suppliers for you. Search our directory of companies to find your ideal supplier. We cover the directories of The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, Turkish Industry and Business Association and The Ministry of Trade.

High Quality Product

Product Quality is one of the major aspects of international trade. Our product and research investigation helps your business to ensure the quality of the product before importing. We analyze and test the possible products, and if requested, we send you sample products for your inspection.

Competitive Prices

Istanbul Africa Trade Company has an extensive directory of supplier companies. We ensure you that all the product prices will be competitive and detailed. In our final product and sector report, we offer you multiple supplier alternatives with respective costs and benefits.

Relationship Management

Supplier performance review at regular intervals can help your company spot any areas for improvement. We regularly check whether you are getting the best price, quality and delivery options for your business. We work on contingency plans in place if you switch suppliers to minimize disruption to your business.

Industry Coverage

You can get the latest industry information from our worldwide network of trade professionals. We cover main industry lines to offer you the most important industry insights. Our industry coverage includes: Energy, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Technology, Agriculture and Retail.

textile industry in africa machinery

Contact us for your inquiries

CONTACT US

Extensive Network of Suppliers

In the complex and ever-changing business world, businesses must rise above their competitors. A powerful way to do this is to understand every part of their supplier networks. Our advisers help businesses to stay ahead of competitors and increase profits.

Excellence in Research

We offer professional services on foreign trade and special customs regimes, supporting companies to gain greater competitive advantage in international markets. Relying on our experience and service excellence, we are recognized as the most reliable provider of foreign trade solutions and services in our area.

For African importers

  • Finding manufacturers of a specific product, grade or private-label item in Turkey
  • Comparing several Turkish offers on the same specification
  • Checking an existing supplier before a larger order

For Turkish exporters

  • Identifying importers, distributors and retailers for your product in an African market
  • Understanding competing products, price points and sales channels there
  • Checking a buyer who has approached you

What you receive

  • Shortlist

    Suppliers or buyers that fit the brief, with contact, size, capacity and why each one made the list.

  • Company checks

    Registration and activity status, whether they manufacture or resell, references and trade history.

  • Like-for-like comparison

    Prices, minimum orders, lead times, payment terms and certifications side by side, on the same basis.

  • Samples, on request

    Samples sent for your own inspection before you commit to an order.

  • Sector notes

    How the market for the product works: main producers, price drivers, seasonality and standards.

How the work runs

  1. Brief

    Specification, quantities, target price, destination and required certifications.

  2. Search

    Official directories such as those of TOBB and the Ministry of Trade, sector associations and our network.

  3. Check

    We contact candidates and check registration, capability and references.

  4. Compare

    Offers brought to the same terms so that price differences mean something.

  5. Report

    A written shortlist with a recommendation, and introductions if you want them.

What we need from you

  • A specification: drawings, photos, standards, materials or a reference sample
  • Quantities per order and per year
  • Target price or budget, and the Incoterm you want quoted
  • Destination market and any certification it requires

Where this service stops

  • Buying or reselling the goods ourselves
  • A guarantee that a manufacturer will accept your order or your price
  • Laboratory testing: we can point you to accredited laboratories and inspection companies

Questions about this service

How many suppliers will the shortlist contain?
We aim for a real choice: typically three to five suitable candidates when the market allows. For specialised products there may be fewer, and the report says why.
How do you check that a Turkish company is real?
We confirm its registration and activity through Turkish chamber and trade registry sources, check that its address, website and product range are consistent, ask for references and, where it matters, arrange a video call or a factory visit.
Can you investigate a product that is not in your catalogues?
Yes. That is what this service is for: our catalogues show common product groups, but an investigation starts from your own specification.
Do you also search for buyers in Africa?
Yes. For Turkish exporters we run the same process in the other direction, identifying and checking importers and distributors in the African markets being considered.

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Burak Unal

Who you work with

Burak Unal

Founder, Istanbul Africa

Istanbul Africa is Burak Unal's advisory practice. He leads its client work and reviews its country and sector research.

  • Former financial services consultant at Oliver Wyman
  • MSc Finance, London School of Economics
  • BSc Management, Boğaziçi University
  • Chevening Scholar
  • LSE thesis on Kenya's textile industry and its effect on the balance of trade

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