By Kemeseng Sanneh
The Turkish conglomerate Albayrak Group, operating through its subsidiary Alport Banjul, has officially assumed control of The Gambia’s ports, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s maritime sector.
Under a 30-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement, Alport Banjul will manage port operations and infrastructure, with the company receiving 80% of the generated revenue, while The Gambia retains 20%.
The agreement, signed on 11 July 2024, and effective as of 14 February 2025, includes a broad mandate for Alport Banjul to modernize and upgrade key facilities, including Banjul Port, the development of a new deep-sea port in Sanyang, and the establishment of shipyards in Kaur and Basse. The partnership aims to enhance The Gambia’s role as a key trade and logistics hub in West Africa.
The Turkish Ambassador to The Gambia lauded the agreement, calling it the largest foreign direct investment the country has ever received. He emphasized that the project would facilitate technological advancements, capacity-building initiatives, and increased revenue generation, ultimately contributing to the country’s broader economic development goals.
“The takeover represents a historic day for The Gambia and a transformative opportunity for the maritime and logistics sector,” the Ambassador said.
He highlighted that local workers at the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) would be retained under the new management, with plans for training and development programs to strengthen the workforce.
Alport Banjul’s plans also include significant upgrades to port facilities, with a focus on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and addressing long-standing issues of congestion. Cem Öztürk, the Ports Manager, assured the public that Alport Banjul was already seeing improvements, citing a 37.5% increase in the number of vessels handled within one month compared to the previous administration.
“We’ve already started making improvements before our official takeover,” Öztürk stated, adding that in the coming months, the company would introduce new IT infrastructure, including a terminal operating system, as well as new machinery to streamline port operations.
In response to concerns about port congestion and high charges, Mr. Salih Levent Kaçar, Country Manager for Alport Banjul, explained that the congestion was primarily due to space limitations, not inflated charges. He also assured that demurrage fees would be addressed by registering traders to prevent these charges from affecting market prices.
The company is also in talks with international shipping lines to expand the port’s service offerings beyond its current roster of Maersk, CMA, MSC, and HAPAG.
The management team emphasized that the project would not only boost The Gambia’s trade competitiveness but would also create job opportunities, foster local business growth, and improve access to vital inland ports in Basse and Kaur. The partnership seeks to strengthen collaboration with both local and international partners, ensuring that the project has a long-term positive impact on the country’s economy.
