Albayrak Group, one of Turkey’s esteemed companies, has embarked on a significant investment in Africa with its recent acquisition of Gambia’s port through an international tender. The signing ceremony on the Gambian side was attended by Minister of Transport Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Finance Seedy Keita, and President of the Gambia Ports Authority, Ousmane Jobarteh.
Yunus Yılmaz, General Manager of Albayrak Construction, outlined the ambitious €605 million investment plan, which will unfold in three phases. Initially, the rehabilitation and modernization of Banjul port aim to increase capacity and efficiency substantially within the first year. Recognizing the challenges posed by the current downtown location of Banjul port, Albayrak plans to construct a new state-of-the-art port in the Sanyang region with an additional investment of €585 million. This strategic move includes establishing an industrial zone and logistics center around the new port, positioning Sanyang as a pivotal hub in the region.
Yılmaz underscored Albayrak Group’s extensive experience managing ports across Africa, including in Somalia, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Azerbaijan, which played a decisive role in securing the Banjul port concession. Their visionary approach of proposing a future-oriented project, which included relocating the port to Sanyang for broader regional impact, resonated strongly with Gambian authorities. Additionally, their proven track record at the Conakry port in Guinea, achieving peak performance and operational efficiency, further bolstered their bid’s credibility.
Albayrak Group’s strategic vision and operational excellence are poised to transform Gambia’s maritime infrastructure, enhancing economic opportunities and regional connectivity in West Africa.