Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is on a five-day trip to Northern and Western Africa. The trip will take him to four countries: Algeria, Mauritania, Senegal, and Mali. His visit is the latest effort by Turkey to project its influence across the continent and strengthen its presence worldwide. Since 2005, as then-prime minister, Erdogan has been working to deepen ties with Africa. Emre Caliskan is with the Department of Politics and International Relations at Oxford University in Britain. He says Erdogan has been to Africa 12 times since 2009. He notes his trips had several objectives, such as economic growth, expanding Turkey’s influence in the world and the use of Islam. Earlier this month, Turkey welcomed a group of African ministers for a week of meetings. Such gatherings are part of a Turkish effort to improve contacts with African leaders.