The technology sector in Türkiye has become one of the fastest-transforming areas of the economy in recent years. Information technologies, software, electronics, telecommunications, defense technologies, artificial intelligence, fintech, e-commerce, cybersecurity, gaming, cloud computing, data centers and advanced manufacturing technologies are among the sector’s major fields.
Türkiye’s young and relatively large population, expanding university system, strong engineering workforce, industrial infrastructure and geographical proximity to Europe, the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia provide important advantages for the development of its technology sector.
Technology in Türkiye is no longer limited to computers and software. Digital technologies are increasingly being used across almost every major industry, including automotive, defense, aviation, energy, healthcare, finance, logistics, agriculture and manufacturing.
Research and development, high-technology manufacturing, domestic technology development, entrepreneurship and technology exports are becoming increasingly important components of Türkiye’s technology strategy.
- The Size of the Turkish Technology Market
Türkiye’s information and communication technologies market has experienced substantial growth in recent years.
According to TÜBİSAD data presented through the Turkish Ministry of Trade’s Easy Export Platform, Türkiye’s information and communication technologies market grew by approximately 53% in Turkish lira terms in 2024 compared with the previous year, reaching approximately TRY 1.2 trillion.
This growth has been driven by areas such as:
Software
Hardware
Telecommunications
Information technology services
Cloud computing
Cybersecurity
Digital services
E-commerce
Fintech
Because inflation and exchange-rate movements have a significant effect on Turkish-lira figures, nominal growth should be distinguished from real growth when evaluating the market. Nevertheless, the overall economic volume of the technology sector continues to expand.
- Software Industry
Software is one of the most important areas of Türkiye’s technology sector.
Turkish software companies operate in fields such as:
Enterprise software
Mobile applications
Web applications
ERP
CRM
Cybersecurity
Artificial intelligence
Financial technologies
Gaming
E-commerce
Cloud systems
Data analytics
Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir are the country’s major software centers.
Other cities, including Bursa, Kocaeli, Antalya, Konya, Gaziantep and Eskişehir, are also developing technology companies and software startups.
One of the major advantages of the software industry is that software services do not require the same high physical logistics costs as manufactured products. This can make it easier for Turkish software companies to reach international customers.
- IT Services Exports
One of the most notable developments in Türkiye’s technology sector has been the growth of IT and digital-services exports.
According to the Ministry of Trade, information-technology service exports reached approximately:
2023: $3.87 billion
2024: $5.33 billion
2025: approximately $5.5 billion
According to ministry data, IT exports increased from approximately $432 million in 2012 to around $5.5 billion in 2025.
This development demonstrates that Türkiye’s technology sector is increasingly serving not only the domestic market but also international customers.
- Research and Development and Innovation
Research and development is at the center of Türkiye’s technology strategy.
According to TÜİK data, central government budget expenditure on R&D activities reached approximately TRY 178.58 billion in 2024. The initial allocation for R&D activities in the central government budget for 2025 was approximately TRY 236.26 billion.
R&D activities are carried out by:
Universities
Public research institutions
Defense companies
Major industrial companies
Technology companies
Technoparks
Startups
Increasing R&D investment is essential for Türkiye’s transition from low- and medium-technology production toward high-value-added technology development.
- Technoparks
Technoparks are fundamental components of Türkiye’s technology ecosystem.
They bring together universities, researchers, entrepreneurs and companies.
Türkiye’s technopark ecosystem is particularly developed in technology and industrial centers such as:
Istanbul
Ankara
Izmir
Kocaeli
Bursa
Eskişehir
According to the Ministry of Industry and Technology, by 2025 Türkiye had 105 technoparks and approximately 11,200 technology ventures.
These centers play an important role in:
R&D
Product development
Patents
Entrepreneurship
University-industry cooperation
Technology transfer
Commercialization
7. Technology Entrepreneurship
Türkiye’s startup ecosystem has developed significantly in recent years.
Entrepreneurs are establishing companies in areas such as:
Software
Fintech
E-commerce
Artificial intelligence
Gaming
Health technologies
Logistics technologies
Cybersecurity
Education technologies
Climate technologies
KOSGEB’s Technology Center Support Program is one of the important mechanisms supporting technology-based entrepreneurship.
According to KOSGEB, as of 2025 there were 39 TEKMER technology centers operating across Türkiye, hosting more than 800 technology ventures.
- The TEKMER Ecosystem
TEKMER centers are designed to help technology entrepreneurs move from the idea stage toward product development and commercialization.
They can provide:
Incubation
Mentoring
Training
R&D support
Prototyping
Investor connections
Commercialization support
Business development
In 2025, KOSGEB announced support for the establishment of eight new TEKMER centers.
Under the Technology Center Support Program, the annual maximum support amount for 2026 was set at approximately TRY 6.506 million.
- Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is one of the most important technology fields for Türkiye’s future.
AI is being used in areas including:
Banking
Healthcare
Defense
Automotive
E-commerce
Logistics
Manufacturing
Agriculture
Energy
Tourism
Major applications include:
Large language models
Computer vision
Natural language processing
Predictive systems
Autonomous systems
Fraud detection
Customer service
Manufacturing optimization
For Türkiye to make further progress in artificial intelligence, it will need stronger high-performance computing infrastructure, data centers, skilled researchers and closer cooperation between universities and industry.
- Defense Technologies
The defense industry is one of the most advanced areas of Türkiye’s technology ecosystem.
Türkiye has developed significant capabilities in:
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Electronic warfare
Radar systems
Satellite technologies
Missile systems
Naval platforms
Command-and-control systems
Sensors
Communication systems
AI-based defense technologies
R&D in the defense industry also contributes to the development of other technology fields, including electronics, software, artificial intelligence, materials science and communications.
Defense technologies are also an important component of Türkiye’s high-technology exports.
- Aviation and Space Technologies
Aviation and space are emerging strategic technology sectors in Türkiye.
Major activities include:
Satellite manufacturing
Satellite communications
Unmanned aerial systems
Aircraft systems
Helicopter technologies
Avionics
Rocket systems
Space research
The development of space technologies also supports advances in electronics, software, composite materials, sensors and advanced manufacturing.
- Electronics Industry
Electronics is an important manufacturing area within Türkiye’s technology ecosystem.
Türkiye produces:
Consumer electronics
White-goods electronics
Industrial electronics
Automotive electronics
Communications equipment
Defense electronics
Sensors
Control systems
The importance of electronic components is increasing rapidly, particularly in the automotive and defense industries.
- Telecommunications
Türkiye’s large population and high level of internet usage have created a substantial telecommunications market.
The main areas include:
Mobile communications
Fixed-line internet
Fiber infrastructure
4.5G
5G preparations
Data communications
Cloud services
IoT
Corporate communications
The expansion of 5G is expected to support the development of smart factories, autonomous systems, smart cities and industrial IoT applications.
- Fintech
Financial technology is one of the most dynamic areas of Türkiye’s technology sector.
Turkish fintech companies operate in:
Digital payments
Mobile banking
Electronic money
Digital wallets
Payment systems
Financial analytics
Lending technologies
Insurtech
Investment technologies
Türkiye’s young population, high mobile internet usage and developed banking infrastructure provide favorable conditions for fintech development.
- E-Commerce and the Digital Economy
E-commerce is an important driver of technology-sector growth in Türkiye.
The expansion of e-commerce is creating demand for:
Software
Payment systems
Logistics technologies
Data analytics
Digital marketing
Cybersecurity
Cloud computing
The transition of small and medium-sized enterprises toward digital sales channels is also contributing to the growth of Türkiye’s digital economy.
- Gaming Industry
Game development has become an important entrepreneurial area within Türkiye’s technology ecosystem.
Mobile games, PC games and other digital entertainment products allow Turkish developers to reach global markets.
The advantages of the gaming industry include:
Small development teams
Digital distribution
Global customer access
High scalability
Potential for foreign-currency revenues
Istanbul is the leading center, while Ankara and Izmir also have active game-development communities and companies.
- Cybersecurity
The expansion of digitalization has transformed cybersecurity into a strategic technology field.
In Türkiye, cybersecurity solutions are used extensively in:
Banking
Government
Defense
Telecommunications
Energy
Healthcare
E-commerce
Major technology areas include:
Network security
Identity management
Data security
Cloud security
Threat intelligence
Security operations centers
AI-supported cybersecurity
18. Cloud Computing and Data Centers
Cloud computing is an important component of Türkiye’s digital transformation.
Companies are increasingly using:
Cloud storage
Cloud servers
SaaS
Data analytics
AI infrastructure
Digital backup systems
The rapid development of artificial intelligence is also increasing demand for high-capacity data centers.
As a result, Türkiye has the potential to become an important regional hub for data-center investments.
- Internet of Things
The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to technologies that allow physical devices to communicate with one another over the internet.
In Türkiye, IoT applications are being developed for:
Smart factories
Smart cities
Agriculture
Logistics
Energy
Healthcare
Automotive
Building management
Sensors and real-time data systems can help companies manage production processes more efficiently.
- Industry 4.0
Türkiye’s strong manufacturing base creates a significant market for Industry 4.0 technologies.
Industry 4.0 includes:
Robotics
Automation
Artificial intelligence
IoT
Big data
Digital twins
Smart sensors
Autonomous production
Digital manufacturing technologies are becoming increasingly important in industries such as automotive, appliances, defense, electronics and machinery.
- Technology and the Automotive Industry
The transformation of the automotive industry toward electric and connected vehicles represents an important technology opportunity for Türkiye.
Future vehicles will increasingly use:
Electric motors
Batteries
Software
Artificial intelligence
Sensors
Autonomous driving systems
Connected-vehicle technologies
For this reason, developing software, electronics and battery technologies alongside automotive manufacturing is strategically important for Türkiye.
- Domestic Electric Vehicle Technologies
Türkiye’s electric-vehicle ecosystem is gradually developing.
The expansion of electric vehicles is supporting new technology fields such as:
Batteries
Charging stations
Power electronics
Software
Vehicle connectivity
Energy-management systems
This sector creates a strong connection between the automotive and technology industries.
- Health Technologies
The digital transformation of Türkiye’s healthcare sector is creating new opportunities in health technologies.
Major areas include:
Electronic health records
Telemedicine
AI-assisted diagnosis
Medical imaging
Wearable devices
Health applications
Laboratory technologies
Medical devices
Developing health technologies can help Türkiye improve healthcare services while also creating high-value-added products.
- Agricultural Technologies
Agricultural technology is another area with strong development potential in Türkiye.
Smart agriculture can involve:
Drones
Satellite imagery
Sensors
Artificial intelligence
Automated irrigation
Soil analysis
Robotics
These technologies can help reduce water consumption, improve agricultural productivity and manage production risks more effectively.
- Technology Exports
One of Türkiye’s major goals is to increase high-value-added technology exports.
According to a January 2026 statement by the Ministry of Trade, Türkiye’s exports of medium-high and high-technology products increased by 10.8% in 2025, exceeding $112 billion, while their share of total manufacturing exports reached 43.5%.
This category includes not only traditional software exports but also technology-intensive industrial products.
Defense, automotive, electronics, machinery and other high-technology manufacturing industries are important contributors to this transformation.
- Technology-Oriented Industrial Policy
Türkiye has introduced a range of support mechanisms to develop its technology sector.
These include:
Technology-Oriented Industry Move Program
TÜBİTAK R&D support
KOSGEB support
Technopark incentives
Technology centers
Investment incentives
Export support
TÜBİTAK’s 1501 and 1507 programs are important mechanisms supporting R&D, technology development and innovation projects carried out by small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Universities and Technology
Universities play an important role in Türkiye’s technology ecosystem.
Research in areas such as:
Engineering
Computer science
Electrical and electronics engineering
Artificial intelligence
Biotechnology
Materials science
Space sciences
contributes to the development of the technology sector.
Strengthening university-industry cooperation is critical for transforming academic research into commercial products.
- Patents and Intellectual Property
The development of the technology sector makes patents and intellectual property increasingly important.
For a technology company to create long-term value, it needs to protect intellectual-property assets such as:
Patents
Trademarks
Copyrights
Trade secrets
Software licenses
Increasing the number of patents is important, but turning those patents into commercially successful products is equally important.
- Technology Workforce
The future of Türkiye’s technology sector depends heavily on a highly skilled workforce.
Areas with strong demand include:
Software engineering
Computer engineering
Data science
Artificial intelligence
Cybersecurity
Electronics engineering
Robotics
Cloud computing
DevOps
Product management
Türkiye’s large number of engineering and technology graduates provides an important advantage. However, developing more specialists in advanced technology fields remains necessary.
- Major Challenges Facing the Technology Sector
Türkiye’s technology sector has significant opportunities but also several structural challenges.
Skilled Workforce
The need for specialists in artificial intelligence, chip design, advanced electronics and high technology is increasing.
Financing
Startups need venture capital and long-term technology investment to scale successfully.
R&D Costs
Developing high-technology products can require significant investment and long development periods.
Brain Drain
The migration of skilled technology professionals toward global companies and foreign markets can create an important human-capital challenge.
Semiconductor and Electronics Dependence
Reducing dependence on imported semiconductors and advanced electronic components is strategically important.
Commercialization
Stronger mechanisms are needed to transform some university research projects into commercially successful products.
- Opportunities in Türkiye’s Technology Sector
The following technology areas are likely to offer particularly strong opportunities in the coming years:
Artificial intelligence
Defense technologies
Software
Cybersecurity
Fintech
Electric vehicles
Battery technologies
Robotics
Semiconductors and electronics
Space technologies
Health technologies
Agricultural technologies
Energy technologies
Data centers
Cloud computing
Gaming technologies
Green technologies
Smart-city technologies
32. Regional Technology Centers
Technology activities in Türkiye are concentrated in several major cities.
Istanbul
Istanbul is Türkiye’s largest technology, financial and entrepreneurship center. It is particularly strong in fintech, software, e-commerce, gaming, artificial intelligence and enterprise technologies.
Ankara
Ankara is particularly important for defense, aerospace, software, electronics and public-sector technologies.
Izmir
Izmir is developing in software, entrepreneurship, biotechnology, university research and industrial technologies.
Kocaeli
Kocaeli is strategically important for industrial technologies, automotive, manufacturing and Industry 4.0.
Bursa
Automotive, machinery, electronics and manufacturing technologies are particularly important.
Eskişehir
Eskişehir is significant for aerospace, defense, university research and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Antalya
Antalya has development potential in tourism technologies, software, gaming and digital entrepreneurship.
- The Future of Türkiye’s Technology Sector
The future of Türkiye’s technology sector will depend heavily on its transition toward high-value-added production.
Three major transformations are likely to be particularly important.
Digital Transformation
Traditional companies will increasingly use software, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data analytics to become more digitally integrated businesses.
Technological Transformation of Industry
Factories will use robotics, automation, IoT and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and productivity.
Technology Exports
Turkish technology companies are expected to expand their exports of products and services to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia.
- Türkiye’s Technology Economy Toward 2030
Türkiye’s long-term objective is not simply to become a country that consumes technology, but to build an economy capable of developing, producing and exporting technology.
Achieving this objective will require:
Increasing R&D investment
Strengthening university-industry cooperation
Developing startup financing
Increasing high-technology production
Expanding domestic electronics and semiconductor capabilities
Strengthening artificial-intelligence infrastructure
Developing skilled human resources
Increasing technology exports
KOSGEB has highlighted the strengthening of technology centers as part of policies supporting the objective of developing 100,000 technology ventures by 2030.
The technology sector in Türkiye has become one of the strategic industries that will shape the country’s economic future.
A broad ecosystem is developing across software and IT services, artificial intelligence, defense technologies, fintech, electronics, electric vehicles, space technologies and many other fields.
Türkiye’s young population, engineering capabilities, growing entrepreneurship ecosystem, large domestic market, strong industrial base and strategic geographical position are major advantages for the country’s technology sector.
At the same time, further investment is required in advanced technology R&D, skilled human resources, venture capital, semiconductor technologies and university-industry cooperation.
Artificial intelligence, defense technologies, cybersecurity, software, fintech, electric vehicles, robotics, electronics, space technologies and green technologies are likely to become some of Türkiye’s most important areas of growth.
The most important objective for Türkiye’s technology sector is to move beyond being a country that primarily uses technology and become a country that develops, produces and exports technology to global markets.
If this transformation is successfully achieved, the technology sector could become one of the most important contributors to Türkiye’s export revenues, highly skilled employment and overall economic value creation.
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