Turkey’s engagement with Africa represents a dynamic interplay between historical memo ry, cultural diplomacy, and geopolitical strategy. Central to this relationship is the mobilisa tion of Ottoman nostalgia, which Turkey uses to construct a narrative of Islamic solidarity and historical continuity. This paper adopts a multidisciplinary framework, integrating his torical research, anthropological theory, and international relations, to analyse how Turkey instrumentalises its Ottoman past to enhance its influence on the continent. This study ex amines how historical and cultural narratives strategically shape political realities and foster soft power. By reviving a selectively constructed Ottoman past, Turkey aligns its historical interpretation with contemporary ambitions, framing its African engagement as a natural extension of shared heritage. However, this narrative often marginalises the pluralistic and negotiated nature of Ottoman governance and the agency of African actors in shaping their histories. Through a critical examination of Turkey’s multifaceted approach — spanning infrastructure investments, cultural initiatives, and religious solidarity — this paper eluci dates the motivations and consequences of Turkey’s expanding footprint in Africa. It argues that Ottoman nostalgia is a commemoration and a pragmatic tool for advancing Turkey’s global aspirations, highlighting the intersection of memory, culture, and geopolitics in con temporary international relations.