Turkey Reviews a Year of Expanding Ties With The Gambia, Pointing to Security, Trade and Education

By Makutu Manneh

The Turkish Embassy in The Gambia on Friday offered a measured assessment of bilateral relations over the past year, portraying 2025 as a period of steady gains and deepening cooperation between the two countries.

At a press briefing in Banjul, Turkey’s ambassador to The Gambia, Fahri Turker Oba, said relations between Ankara and Banjul were anchored in mutual trust, sincerity and an approach he described as an equal partnership. He said the progress recorded during the year had produced “tangible and measurable results” and set the stage for continued engagement in 2026.

Mr. Oba pointed to regular political consultations between the two foreign ministries and mutual support on international matters, including Turkey’s backing of The Gambia’s position in the Rohingya case. He said cooperation had advanced across several sectors, notably trade, education and security.

Among the year’s most significant developments, the ambassador cited Turkey’s handover of 17 armored personnel carriers to the Gambia Armed Forces, calling it a substantial contribution to the country’s security capacity. The step, he said, reflected the strong political commitment of both governments, driven by the leadership of their respective presidents.

Looking ahead, Mr. Oba said Turkey was seeking to develop trade relations in a more balanced and sustainable way, while also expanding tourism links. He noted the start of direct flights between Istanbul and Banjul, operated by Turkey’s national carrier, adding that six flights were scheduled for October 2025.

Security cooperation, he said, would remain central to the partnership, with continued training and capacity-building support for the Gambia Armed Forces and the police.

Education, the ambassador added, was among the most enduring pillars of bilateral relations. Turkey, he said, placed particular importance on supporting young people who could serve as a bridge between the two societies.

Turkey’s development agency, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, known as TIKA, also outlined its work in the country. Ali Kerim, the agency’s program coordinator in The Gambia, said TIKA had implemented more than 200 projects nationwide, working closely with government institutions, universities, and local communities.

In 2025, Mr. Kerim said, TIKA carried out projects spanning justice, health, security, education, vocational training, climate action, and social cohesion, all designed in consultation with Gambian partners and guided by a long-term cooperation framework.

Representatives from the Yunus Emre Institute and the Maarif International Schools of The Gambia also highlighted their activities during the year, emphasizing contributions to education, cultural exchange, and skills development.

Diplomatic relations between The Gambia and Turkey date back to 1965 and have expanded in recent years through high-level visits and a series of bilateral agreements. Embassy officials said the partnership continued to evolve around shared development priorities, with growing collaboration in military training, education, health care, infrastructure and trade.