By Makutu Manneh
Ebrima Sillah, The Gambia’s Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, on Tuesday received his Malian counterpart, Dembélé Madina Sissoko, during a working visit to the Port of Banjul, as the two countries explore expanded areas of cooperation in transit cargo and port services.
The visit comes amid ongoing discussions to deepen economic partnership between The Gambia and Mali, with a particular focus on improving transit cargo corridors through a proposed port concession that would position Banjul as a strategic and efficient logistics hub for the subregion.
Speaking during the visit, Minister Sillah said a dedicated area has been identified at the port to handle Malian business cargo, underscoring The Gambia’s readiness to expand commercial ties with Bamako and the wider subregion. He noted that the Port of Banjul is extending services beyond national borders and that Mali remains one of its priority markets.
According to Sillah, the Malian minister was invited to assess the port’s facilities and recent efficiency gains firsthand, with the aim of concluding outstanding bilateral agreements. “This visit will help finalize pending arrangements to ensure seamless cargo movement from Banjul to Mali,” he said.
He emphasized that the initiative is not limited to imports, adding that The Gambia is equally interested in facilitating Malian exports to international markets. “We are taking this opportunity seriously by modernizing key areas of the port, including the rapid availability of warehouse facilities,” Sillah added.
For her part, Minister Sissoko said her visit was intended to obtain firsthand information and assess on-the-ground facilities before finalizing agreements with the Gambian government. She noted that Mali already utilizes the Port of Banjul for petroleum products and other goods.
“However, improved conditions and a more structured collaboration are required to optimize operations and further strengthen trade relations between Mali and The Gambia,” she said.
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