Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia and Senegal are charting a path toward economic transformation, but a bold leap in collaboration is needed to realize their full potential. It’s in this context that the second edition of the Senegalese-Gambian Economic, Commercial, and Investment Forum opened on Thursday with calls for stronger bilateral cooperation to harness the economic potential of the two neighboring nations.

The forum, attended by high-ranking officials, business leaders, and development experts, emphasized the need to move from agreements to actionable outcomes.

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko underscored the urgency of strengthening intra-African exchanges to build a robust continental union. “As Africans, we must combine our efforts for more results, particularly in trade,” he said.

Acknowledging the progress made in Senegal-Gambia relations—marked by a trade volume growth from CFA 92 billion in 2001 to CFA 117 billion in 2023—Sonko called for ambitious goals, setting a target of CFA 500 billion in trade within the coming years.

Sonko highlighted sectors such as infrastructure, transport, industry, tourism, and the digital economy as key areas for collaborative growth. He urged both governments to prioritize Africa-first policies, leveraging existing frameworks like ECOWAS and OMVG to deepen ties.

Echoing this sentiment, Gambia’s Vice President Mohamed BS Jallow emphasized that this year’s forum agenda reflects pivotal sectors essential for shared economic aspirations. “From the development of special economic zones to opportunities in energy, agriculture, and fisheries, this forum is a platform to transition from creating contracts to delivering on them,” Jallow remarked. He called on public institutions to create conducive conditions for businesses while urging the private sector to seize emerging opportunities.

The heads of the investment promotion agencies of the two countries, Bakary Séga Bathily of Senegal’s APIX and Ousman Senghore of GIEPA, reiterated the importance of actionable cooperation.

Bathily noted recent agreements to streamline transit procedures and promote cross-border trade, emphasizing the strategic advantage of geographic proximity. “Senegal and The Gambia have all the wherewithal to be dynamic hubs in West Africa,” he said, calling for a shared vision of sustainable development.

Senghore added, “This forum is not just about dialogue; it is about action. It’s about creating a strengthened business environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship while celebrating our cultural ties.” He lauded efforts to coordinate cross-border activities and acknowledged the hard work of both governments and agencies in fostering economic collaboration.

As the forum unfolds, both nations face a critical challenge: transforming ambitious ideas into tangible outcomes. With commitments to improve trade, enhance infrastructure, and foster innovation, the stage is set for a new era of economic partnership. However, the success of these initiatives hinges on sustained institutional support, private-sector engagement, and a shared vision for a prosperous future.