Africa-Press – Gambia. President Adama Barrow on Saturday, July 5, 2025, officially laid the foundation stone for the construction of a $1 billion deep-sea port in Sanyang, Kombo South, West Coast Region, a transformative infrastructure initiative aimed at expanding The Gambia’s port capacity and strengthening its position in regional and international trade.
The new facility, to be constructed over six years, is expected to ease pressure on the Port of Banjul, which has long suffered from congestion and limited capacity. Once completed, the Sanyang Deep Sea Port will be able to accommodate larger vessels and significantly improve cargo handling efficiently, thereby boosting The Gambia’s trade potential and economic growth.
The project is being implemented under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) and the Turkish-based Albayrak Group through the joint venture company Alport Banjul. The port will be developed in three investment phases: €253 million in the first five years, followed by €145 million between 2029 and 2038, and €207 million from 2039 to 2053. The concession agreement spans 30 years, after which full ownership of the infrastructure will revert to the Government of The Gambia.
At the foundation stone-laying ceremony, President Barrow emphasized that the port will serve as a strategic asset to overcome the constraints faced by the existing Banjul port and position The Gambia as a gateway for regional trade.”GPA has been operating for the past years within its limited infrastructure compared to the ever-increasing volume of cargo being handled,” he noted.
Despite concerns from some quarters about the project’s location, President Barrow reassured the public of its long-term benefits. He highlighted that the government will not contribute direct funding, as the investment will be fully financed by the private partner.
“The new and improved port infrastructure will be handed over to the government of the Gambia at the end of the concession period,” President Barrow said.
President Barrow also assured that the development of the Sanyang Deep Sea Port will be accompanied by significant investment in surrounding road infrastructure, essential facilities, and public amenities, benefiting the entire nation, with particular emphasis on the local community of Sanyang.
He expressed optimism that the port will not only position The Gambia as a leading trade and logistics hub in West Africa but also enhance its capacity to serve European markets.
The president urged Gambians, especially residents of Sanyang, to support the project with a positive and forward-looking attitude. He also reminded the Albayrak Group that both the government and the people of The Gambia expect full adherence to the terms and commitments outlined in the concession agreement. Ousman Jobarteh, Managing Director of the Gambia Ports Authority, also addressed the gathering, emphasizing that the primary goal of the deep-sea port project is its transformative potential to reposition The Gambia as a major maritime hub in West Africa. He further noted that the initiative will serve as a catalyst for socio-economic development across the country.
“The main objective of this deep-sea project lies in its transformative potential to reposition the Gambia as a major maritime hub in West Africa.”
Jobarteh emphasized that multiple studies have underscored the urgent need to expand port capacity in The Gambia, noting that the Port of Banjul has exceeded its operational limits, adversely affecting business efficiency and trade flow.
He asserted that the new deep-sea port in Sanyang holds transformative potential for the country’s economy, with the capacity to significantly boost GDP and generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Nuri Albayrak, Chairman of the Albayrak Group, outlined the advanced features of the upcoming port, including a deep access channel to accommodate larger vessels, state-of-the-art container handling equipment, and expanded storage facilities.”Our goal is to enhance operational efficiency and increase input capacity, positioning the Gambia as a key regional trade hub,” he stated.
He added that construction will commence soon, during which thousands of Gambians are expected to gain employment across a wide range of skilled and technical disciplines. “The work is to begin soon; during this phase, thousands of Gambians will find employment opportunities across various skills and technical roles.”
He described the project as the product of a strong and transparent public-private partnership, grounded in mutual trust and a shared vision for The Gambia’s future. He emphasized that the port will be developed and operated in full compliance with international standards for safety, security, and environmental protection.
He added that upon completion, the port is expected to create hundreds of permanent jobs for Gambians, significantly contributing to long-term employment opportunities.
Lamin Jabang, the Alkalo of Sanyang, hailed the project as a milestone achievement for the entire Kombo region.”You have done an unprecedented development in this community. We are delighted for this upcoming development in our community,” he told the president.
In addition to the core port infrastructure, the $1 billion project will also feature social amenities, including restaurants, museums, and other public facilities to benefit the local community.
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