Banjul, 2 January 2025: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Hon. Sering Modou Njie, on Saturday, 20th December 2025, addressed the 2nd Russia–Africa Ministerial Partnership Forum held in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt, on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of The Gambia.
Speaking under the theme “Trade, Economy and Investment,” Hon. Njie underscored the urgent need to build resilient, diversified, and inclusive economies. He noted that for small and vulnerable states such as The Gambia, strategic partnerships are critical to mitigating global economic shocks, climate-related challenges, and supply-chain disruptions.
Guided by Africa’s Agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and The Gambia’s Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (2023–2027), the Minister outlined priority areas for enhanced cooperation. These include agriculture and food security through climate-smart agriculture, irrigation, mechanisation, agro-processing, and fertilizer security; energy development with a focus on renewable energy, power generation, grid modernisation, and off-grid solutions; trade facilitation and industrialisation, particularly in logistics, fisheries, agro-processing, light manufacturing, and SME development; and human capital and digital transformation through STEM education, TVET, digital skills development, innovation, and cybersecurity.
Hon. Njie reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to sustainable, technology-driven partnerships that promote skills development, youth empowerment, and the strengthening of regional value chains.
He further announced that The Gambia will host the 10th OIC Ministerial Conference on Agriculture and Food Security in Banjul in the first quarter of 2026, extending a warm invitation to all partners to participate.
In his closing remarks, the Minister emphasized that Africa seeks partnerships based on mutual impact rather than dependency and reiterated The Gambia’s readiness to translate commitments into concrete projects that advance inclusive growth and sustainable development.
By Ya Awa Touray
