Senegal has taken another big step to improve its agriculture and food security by signing a strategic agreement with Turkish investment giant, Albayrak Group. The deal was sealed after a high-level meeting between the Senegalese Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, and Albayrak’s top management in Türkiye.
The partnership will see the establishment of a modern tractor assembly plant in Senegal. This facility, to be built under the guidance of Senegal’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will serve not only Senegal but the entire West African region. Apart from assembling tractors, the project will include full after-sales services, supply of spare parts, and technical support to farmers.
One of the unique parts of this agreement is the plan to set up a vocational school dedicated to training young people in modern agricultural practices and machinery operation. This is expected to help in reducing unemployment while building a skilled workforce for Senegal’s growing agriculture sector.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Sonko, alongside key ministers from his government. Albayrak Group was represented by its Chairman, Ahmet Albayrak, Vice Chairman, Nuri Albayrak, and Head of International Investments, Ports and Construction, Yunus Yılmaz.
Prime Minister Sonko’s visit to Türkiye from August 7 to 11, 2025, was not just about agriculture. He also attended the Senegal–Türkiye Business Forum in Istanbul after official meetings in Ankara. At the forum, Sonko engaged with around twenty Turkish companies carefully selected by Senegal’s Public Works and Investment Promotion Agency (APIX). These meetings involved ministers responsible for foreign affairs, defense, finance, energy, trade, and agriculture.
This move is part of Senegal’s bigger plan known as the “Senegal 2050” vision, which focuses on strengthening partnerships with multiple global powers. Sonko’s trip to Türkiye came shortly after visiting China, showing Senegal’s intention to diversify its economic and political alliances.
The Albayrak Group is no stranger to Africa. The company has been active in port operations in Somalia, Guinea, Gambia, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea. Apart from ports, the Group has also invested in construction, agriculture, public transport, and waste management across several African countries. In the agricultural sector, its subsidiaries TÜMOSAN and Sukkar are among Türkiye’s leading industrial companies. TÜMOSAN is ranked 388th on ISO’s Top 500 Industrial Enterprises list, while Sukkar appears in the “Second 500” list.
In the past, Albayrak has carried out agricultural projects in Guinea and is now preparing to expand in Gambia, Sierra Leone, Congo, and Somalia. Working closely with the African Development Bank, the Group has developed special production and service models aimed at tackling Africa’s food security challenges directly from the field.
Senegal’s decision to focus on agriculture comes at a time when the global food supply has been affected by geopolitical events such as the Russia–Ukraine war. Many African nations, including Senegal, now see agriculture not just as an economic opportunity but as a matter of national security. The use of modern farming techniques, mechanization, and local production of farm machinery are expected to help the country reduce dependency on imports and strengthen its position in the regional food market.
Once the tractor plant is operational, it could also become a hub for exporting machinery and agricultural equipment to neighboring West African countries. The vocational school will equally play a role in ensuring that there are enough trained hands to operate and maintain the machinery, making the project a long-term investment in the region’s agricultural future.
This agreement is expected to encourage more foreign investors to see Senegal as a viable entry point into West Africa’s agriculture sector. With Albayrak’s history of successful operations in Africa and its expertise in agriculture and industry, both sides are optimistic that this partnership will deliver strong results in the years ahead.
