Guinea's Minister of Industry and Commerce, Aboubacar KOUROUMA, recently led a mission to Türkiye, focusing on agro-industry and investments. The mission aimed to transform Guinea's resources, develop industrial partnerships, and open new commercial prospects. On November 3, 2026, the Guinean delegation participated in the African "Agriconnect" forum, meeting with Turkish business leaders to present Guinea's economic ambitions and explore concrete projects. This forum brought together several African delegations, including ministers of commerce from Türkiye and Senegal.
The Agriconnect forum concentrated on sharing experiences and identifying opportunities in agriculture and agricultural transformation. Minister Aboubacar KOUROUMA highlighted the inclusive and pan-African aspects of Guinea's Simandou 2040 socio-economic development program. He emphasized Africa's desire to take full advantage of its resources, developing its own production and processing capabilities to participate fully in global value chains. The Minister stressed that Africa now wants to transform its resources locally, rather than exporting them raw.
Minister KOUROUMA also underscored the Guinean government's commitment to making agriculture a key driver of the economy. He identified valorizing agricultural land and promoting local processing as essential tools for creating value and jobs in Guinea. In addition to Guinea's mining potential, the Minister emphasized the importance of agriculture in driving economic growth. These statements reflect Guinea's ambition to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on raw material exports.
The Guinean delegation then met with representatives of the MÜSİAD, a Turkish employers' organization comprising industrial and commercial enterprises. Discussions with investors from sectors such as construction and commerce focused on strengthening economic relations between the two countries. Both parties reaffirmed their desire to intensify efforts to reach the common goal of $500 million in economic and commercial exchanges. This meeting demonstrated the willingness of both countries to enhance bilateral trade and investment.
The Minister and his delegation also met with Ahmet Albayrak, Chairman of the Albayrak Group's Board of Directors. Following a presentation on the group's history, the parties reviewed its activities in Guinea and explored prospects for short-term, medium-term, and long-term development. Minister KOUROUMA invited the group to strengthen its participation in Guinea's industrialization, particularly in agricultural processing. Both sides agreed to quickly continue discussions to identify concrete projects benefiting both countries.
The meetings between the Guinean delegation and Turkish business leaders highlighted the potential for cooperation in various sectors. The Turkish side showed interest in investing in Guinea's agro-industry, while the Guinean side offered incentives for foreign investors. These interactions reflect a mutual desire to strengthen economic ties between Guinea and Türkiye. Further discussions will aim to translate these intentions into tangible projects.
The mission led by Minister Aboubacar KOUROUMA demonstrated Guinea's commitment to developing its agro-industry and attracting foreign investments. The discussions with Turkish business leaders and government officials paved the way for future collaborations. Key areas of focus include agricultural transformation, industrialization, and increasing bilateral trade. The outcome of these exchanges will be crucial in shaping Guinea's economic development in the coming years.
Key points
- Guinea aims to increase its agricultural processing capabilities to create value and jobs locally.
