African port leader recognised with award
Recognising commitment to port development
The Gambia Ports Authority’s Managing Director, Ousman Jobarteh, has been formally honoured at the 10th Africa Leadership Organisation Summit held in London.
Jobarteh received a special recognition from Representative Rosalyn Henderson-Myers and members of the South Carolina House of Representatives for his leadership in port development, maritime governance, and regional trade facilitation in Africa.
The award was presented at the UK Parliament, in the presence of global dignitaries, including former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Dr Fatou Bensouda (Gambian Ambassador to the UK), Baroness Verma (UK House of Lords), and a special envoy from the President of the African Development Bank.
The recognition highlights Jobarteh’s visionary reforms since assuming leadership of GPA in 2018, following a distinguished career of over 30 years. Under his direction, the GPA has implemented transformative initiatives, including the establishment of a joint stevedoring company with the Dock Workers’ Union, the GPA–Albayrak concession, and the integration of digital systems across operations.
During the Summit, Jobarteh also served as a Guest Speaker at the African Customs, Ports & Trade Policy Leaders Roundtable. His presentation, themed “Beyond Tariffs: Institutional Alignment for Intra-African Trade”, emphasized the need for efficient ports, harmonized policies, and stronger public–private partnerships in advancing the goals of the AfCFTA, ECOWAS Treaty, and AU Agenda 2063.
This international recognition is not only a personal milestone for MD Jobarteh but a proud moment for The Gambia, reflecting its growing leadership in regional maritime and trade development.
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