SIFAX Group explains investment in Gambian logistics chain

Taiwo Afolabi, Group executive vice chairman of SIFAX Group has explained why the company has proposed to invest millions of dollars in Gambian logistics chain.

The desire to contribute meaningfully to the rebuilding of the Gambian economy was responsible for the inroad being made into the West African country, Afolabi says.

Recall that SIFAX Group recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the government of Gambia to build and operate a dry port in Banjul.

Afolabi, who gave the explanation during the courtesy visit and facility inspection of Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited (PCHSL), one of the subsidiaries of the company, by Rohey Malick Lowe, first female Mayor of Banjul, the capital of Gambia, as part of the build up to the SIFAX Group’s multi-million dollar investment in Gambia.

According to Afolabi, Gambian economy is emerging into a new dawn and deserves all the support.

“Gambia has a new leader who is willing to open up the country for foreign investment and to develop the economy. I believe so much in the economic growth and development driven by Africans. Africans should be major stakeholders in the economic transformation of Africa. The new Gambian president has also promised an enabling environment that is conducive and inviting for investors,” he said.

Afolabi stated that he personally embarked on research to find out about the country before proposing the investment. “Of all the African countries we visited to do business recently, The Gambia offers a unique business proposition that seeks to keep investors business running with good returns.

“SIFAX wants to replicate the success of its business models in Gambia. Our 30 years’ experience in the maritime industry will be very useful in building the economy of Gambia. We promise that Gambian economy will feel our impact as we do not intend to limit our interventions to the maritime sector alone but will extend to other areas in future.”

In her response, Lowe, the visiting Mayor commended Ports & Cargo for its giant strides in the Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Impressed by the state-of-the-art facilities at the terminal, she urged the company to bring same positive effect to her country.

“I must commend Ports & Cargo for a job well done. I am very impressed. So many critics back in Gambia are skeptical of SIFAX Group’s capacity to handle the job, but with what I have seen today, there is no doubt that the company can successfully transform our economy,” she said.

Uzoamaka Anagor-Ewuzie