Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi – 26 May 2026
OPENING & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chairperson,
Distinguished scholars and colleagues from RIS and JNU,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honour and privilege to speak at this important seminar in India.
Let me at the outset express gratitude to my brother from The Gambia, Mr Ebrima Sankareh, Spokesperson and Presidential Diaspora Adviser, currently a PhD student and Research Fellow at your renowned University for introducing me to RIS.
India is a country very close to my heart because I have personally witnessed and participated in the growth of India–Africa relations over more than two decades.
I speak today not only as an investment manager and private sector advocate, but as someone directly involved in transforming India–Africa cooperation into practical results.
MY PERSONAL JOURNEY WITH INDIA
My first official visit to India was in 2003.
I visited at the invitation of the Confederation of Indian Industry during my tenure as President of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
That mission became historic for The Gambia and for India–Gambia relations.
Key Outcomes of that Visit:
Following the mission, I was approached by the Ministry of External Affairs of India to assist in follow-up discussions regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and The Gambia.
Through sustained engagement and intervention, the initiative succeeded and diplomatic relations were formally established between our two countries.
FIRST INDIA–AFRICA CONCLAVE
As a consequence of that relationship:
The Gambia was invited as Special Guest of Honour to the first India–Africa Conclave.
The Gambian delegation was led by Honourable Sidi Sanneh.
The delegation included Ministers responsible for:
Agriculture - Hon Sulayman Mboob
Health - Hon Dr Yankuba Gassama
Education - Hon Fatou Lamin Fye
Representative of Office of the President- Mr Bai Jobe
Representative of Ministry of Trade and Industry- Mrs Ada Gaye
Representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs- Mrs Ndey M Njie
And myself as President of GCCI.
Major Achievement:
During the Conclave, we successfully negotiated a major Line of Credit for:
Over 600 tractors,
Agricultural machinery,
Mechanisation support for The Gambia.
The equipment was supplied by Mahindra & Mahindra.
PARTNERSHIP WITH MR DILEEP YADAV
It was also during that Conclave that I met Mr. Dileep Yadav, Managing Director of Facilitation India Private Limited.
Since then, we have worked together on a shared mission:
The mechanisation and modernization of agriculture in The Gambia.
Today, that partnership continues to contribute meaningfully to:
Food security,
Agricultural productivity,
Rural transformation.
LIAISON FOR THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA
I was further honoured to serve as liaison during the State Visit of the President of India to The Gambia.
That engagement further strengthened bilateral cooperation and mutual trust between our countries.
COMMONWEALTH GAMES ENGAGEMENT
My relationship with India also extended into international sports diplomacy and global event management.
I had the distinct honour of serving as a member of the Organising Structure of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, representing Africa in my capacity as Vice President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
This experience gave me a unique opportunity to witness first-hand India’s remarkable capacity to successfully organise and deliver one of the world’s largest multi-sport events.
The Delhi Commonwealth Games demonstrated:
India’s growing global leadership,
Its organisational and infrastructural capabilities,
Its commitment to international cooperation,
And its ability to mobilise large-scale public and private sector partnerships for national development.
The experience further deepened my appreciation of India’s transformation and strengthened my conviction that India possesses valuable lessons and expertise that can greatly benefit Africa in areas such as:
Infrastructure development,
Urban planning,
Sports development,
Hospitality and tourism,
Event management,
Youth empowerment,
Public-private partnerships.
For Africa, sports should not only be viewed as recreation, but also as:
An economic sector,
A platform for youth employment,
A driver of tourism,
And an instrument for international cooperation and national unity.
India’s success in the Commonwealth Games therefore remains an important example of what visionary leadership, strategic planning, and national commitment can achieve.
INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE (ISA)
The Gambia later ratified and signed the necessary instruments supporting the International Solar Alliance.
This contributed to the coming into force and operationalisation of the ISA, sponsored and hosted by India.
This was another important example of India’s leadership in global sustainable development and climate action.
MAIN MESSAGE OF THE SPEECH
INDIA AND AFRICA ARE NATURAL PARTNERS
India and Africa are not donor and recipient.
We are natural development partners.
Bound together by:
Shared history,
Shared development challenges,
Shared aspirations.
WHY AFRICA MATTERS NOW
Three important realities:
Africa has:
1.4 billion people,
The youngest population in the world,
A single market under AfCFTA.
Africa’s youth can become:
Either a demographic dividend,
Or a source of instability if jobs are not created.
Key Point:
Investment in Africa is not charity.
It is:
Smart economics,
Smart migration policy,
Smart global stability policy.
WHY INDIA IS THE RIGHT PARTNER
India understands development challenges because India has lived them.
India brings:
Affordable technology,
Pharmaceuticals,
Digital innovation,
Agricultural expertise,
SME industrialization experience,
Human capacity development.
India’s engagement also comes without colonial baggage.
That creates trust and partnership.
AfCFTA CHANGES EVERYTHING
Previously Africa was fragmented into many small markets.
AfCFTA now creates:
One continental market,
Regional value chains,
Cross-border industrial opportunities.
Important Shift:
India should not only export to Africa.
India should:
Invest in Africa,
Produce in Africa,
Partner with African businesses,
Build industries together.
PRIORITY AREAS FOR INDIA–AFRICA COOPERATION
- VALUE ADDITION & INDUSTRIALISATION
Africa must move from exporting raw materials to manufacturing and agro-processing.
- SMEs & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Joint ventures between Indian SMEs and African entrepreneurs are critical.
Women and youth enterprises must be prioritized.
- DIGITAL ECONOMY
Huge opportunities exist in:
Fintech,
Artificial Intelligence,
Digital identity systems,
E-commerce,
Smart agriculture.
- HEALTHCARE PARTNERSHIPS
The pandemic taught us the importance of health security.
India can support Africa through:
Pharmaceuticals,
Telemedicine,
Medical training,
Diagnostics,
Vaccine partnerships.
Proposal:
Establish India–Africa Health Innovation Corridors.
THE GAMBIA AS A GATEWAY
The Gambia is small but strategically positioned.
It is:
English-speaking,
Politically stable,
A gateway to ECOWAS,
Connected to a market of over 400 million people.
Key sectors:
Agriculture,
Tourism,
Renewable energy,
Digital economy,
Logistics,
Education,
Financial services.
EXAMPLE OF IMPACTFUL INVESTMENT
Gambian horticulture projects linked women’s gardens to export markets.
Thousands of rural women benefited through:
Training,
Market access,
Technology transfer,
Export participation.
Key Lesson:
Good investment should distribute value, not merely extract value.
INDIA’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE GAMBIA
Examples include:
EXIM Bank Lines of Credit,
Rural electrification,
Water infrastructure,
National Assembly Building,
University campus at Faraba Banta,
National hospital infrastructure.
Important Point:
Indian engineering combined with blended international financing is a successful model.
SIX PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
India–Africa Investment Facilitation Platform
MSME Innovation Fund
Joint Industrial Parks & SEZs
Digital Trade Corridors
Expanded Technical & Skills Training
India–Africa Health Partnerships
FINAL MESSAGE
Governments create enabling environments.
But the private sector creates:
Jobs,
Innovation,
Investment,
Technology transfer.
Therefore:
India–Africa cooperation must be:
Private-sector driven,
People-centered,
Sustainable,
Inclusive.
CLOSING
Africa does not seek aid alone.
Africa seeks partnership.
A partnership based on:
Mutual respect,
Co-investment,
Co-production,
Shared prosperity.
Final Vision:
India and Africa together can build a transformational partnership for the Global South.
Together, we can shape a more inclusive and sustainable future for the world.
