Gambiaj.com – (ISTANBUL, Türkiye) – Gambian ministers joined African and Turkish business leaders, policymakers, and diplomats this week for the closing day of the 14th World Cooperation of Industries (WCI) Forum in İstanbul, underscoring Gambia’s commitment to strategic economic partnerships with Türkiye.
The forum, held over two days, brought together commercial delegations from across Africa with Türkiye’s leading manufacturers and exporters. It served as a platform to expand trade, forge defense industry agreements, and discuss long-term collaboration beyond traditional aid models.
Gambia Seeks Strategic and Inclusive Partnerships
Gambian Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, emphasized the need for intentional and inclusive cooperation. “In a world shaped by digital transformation, geopolitical fragmentation, and climate challenges, no country can grow in isolation,” Ceesay said.
Highlighting the $66 million trade volume between Türkiye and Gambia in 2025, he noted opportunities to boost exports, attract Turkish investment, upgrade port and logistics infrastructure, and expand vocational training and value-added production.
Gambia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Badjie, reaffirmed the continent’s readiness to engage. “Africa continues to be one of the world’s fastest-growing economies,” he said. “On behalf of my government, I say this: Africa is ready—and Gambia is ready to welcome you.”
Trade Relations Near Sevenfold Increase Since 2003
Türkiye Deputy Minister of Trade Mahmut Gürcan highlighted the dramatic growth in Türkiye-Africa trade, which has surged from $5.4 billion in 2003 to nearly $40 billion in 2025. Gürcan noted that bilateral trade with African countries rose by 9 percent in 2025 alone.
He emphasized that Türkiye is increasingly an investor in Africa, deepening ties through strategic projects and technological collaboration. Gürcan called for a renewed roadmap to strengthen Türkiye’s position as a key partner of the African Continental Free Trade Area, particularly in light of global economic uncertainty.
Defense Industry Cooperation Gains Momentum
Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of National Defense, Salih Ayhan, detailed the expanding role of Turkish defense exports across Africa. Highlighting Bayraktar TB2 UAVs, ATAK helicopters, and high-tech defense systems, Ayhan described Türkiye’s approach as a strategic partnership that includes training, local capacity building, and technology transfer.
“The Türkiye model is not merely about product sales,” he said. “It is about building sustainable, technology-driven partnerships with Africa, which we see as one of the world’s rising stars.”
The forum wrapped with business-to-business meetings, sponsor presentations, and exhibition booths, offering concrete leads for future collaboration. Organizers described this year’s event as a turning point in Türkiye-Africa economic relations.
The 14th WCI Forum officially closed in İstanbul on Thursday evening, leaving participants optimistic about deeper trade, defense, and technological partnerships across the continent.
