The deal, hailed as a game-changer, will deploy renewable energy solutions to modernise farming, boost food sovereignty, and empower rural communities across Senegal.
The Framework Partnership Agreement, signed by Senegal’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock (MASAE), signals a strategic shift towards climate-smart agriculture powered by solar energy. The initiative will roll out solar-powered systems across farms, aquaculture sites, livestock operations, and agri-processing facilities nationwide.
A Gambian Success Story Goes Continental
The Cornerstone Group, headquartered in The Gambia, has long been recognised for its visionary leadership in sustainable development. Its CEO, Mr Alagie Sanyang, expressed pride in the partnership:
“Our mission is to unlock the potential of solar energy to transform agriculture. With this agreement, we are investing in both technology and people, ensuring that Senegalese farmers benefit directly from innovation and long-term sustainability.”
The joint venture will operate under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, ensuring that ownership of the infrastructure will eventually be handed over to Senegalese farmers and private sector actors - cementing local empowerment and long-term resilience.
The scope of the agreement is ambitious and multifaceted. It includes: Solarisation of farms, aquaculture facilities, and seed-testing labs, Training and capacity-building for farmers and technicians, Promotion of bioenergy solutions such as biogas and bio-fertilisers, Monetisation of carbon credits to fund agricultural insurance and a national Agricultural Fund, Joint research and international cooperation in sustainable agriculture.
Mr Ali Hajib, CEO of Hajib Al Shams Solar Energy, emphasised the broader impact: “This partnership is more than energy; it is about empowering communities, reducing costs for farmers, and contributing to global climate action.”
The agreement was facilitated by BridgeKonekt, a global advisory firm known for its expertise in strategic partnerships and development financing. The firm played a critical role in aligning stakeholders and ensuring the deal reflects international best practices.
As Senegal positions itself as a regional leader in climate-resilient agriculture, the involvement of a Gambian-led company in such a transformative project has sparked national pride and regional admiration.
The Cornerstone Group’s rise from a respected Gambian enterprise to a continental force in renewable energy and agriculture is a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and innovation.
About Cornerstone Group
Cornerstone Group has firmly established itself as one of The Gambia’s most respected and impactful companies, not only for its business acumen, but for its unwavering commitment to humanitarian service and national development.
Now a household name, Cornerstone continues to set the benchmark for corporate social responsibility, standing shoulder to shoulder with government efforts to uplift communities across the country.
From health to security, and beyond, the company’s contributions have been both generous and transformative. In a recent show of compassion and civic duty, Cornerstone refurbished the Paediatric Ward of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), breathing new life into the country’s main referral facility. The company also donated vital medical equipment and supplies valued at approximately $2 million, reinforcing its dedication to strengthening the nation’s healthcare system.
But Cornerstone’s impact doesn’t stop at hospital walls. In rural villages grappling with severe water shortages, the company has stepped in to drill boreholes, bringing clean, safe water to families who had long struggled without it. It has also extended support to women gardeners, empowering them with resources and tools to thrive in agriculture and contribute meaningfully to national development.
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