Gambian Vice President Muhammad B.S. Jallow has praised Tianjin Port in northern China for its zero-carbon and fully automated operations, describing it as a model of sustainable development that offers valuable lessons for The Gambia.
Jallow made the remarks after visiting the port, where he highlighted the importance of combining economic growth with environmental protection.
According to him, the level of automation at the facility was particularly impressive.
“The level of automation, that is the thing that impressed me most, particularly, I mean as we are realizing that this is the first zero-emission port,” Jallow said.
He noted that climate change remains a major challenge for countries around the world, especially low-lying nations such as The Gambia.
“We know that climate change is a big problem for all countries, particularly a country like The Gambia, which is just about one meter above sea level,” he said.
The vice president warned that even a small rise in sea levels could have severe consequences for the West African nation.
“So any little rise of the seas, in fact our capital city will be flooded, will be lost. So I think something like this is something that we can learn from,” Jallow added.
His comments underscore growing concerns among African nations about the effects of climate change and the need for sustainable infrastructure that supports economic growth while reducing environmental impact.
The visit also comes at a time of deepening economic ties between China and African countries.
On May 1, China introduced a zero-tariff policy for goods imported from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.
The move made China the first major economy to grant such broad tariff-free access to African exports.
The policy is expected to expand trade opportunities for African producers by providing easier access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
Jallow welcomed the initiative and expressed appreciation to China for opening its market to Gambian products.
He identified groundnuts as one of The Gambia’s key export commodities that could benefit from the new trade arrangement.
According to the vice president, the tariff-free access presents an opportunity for Gambian farmers and exporters to increase their presence in the Chinese market.
The development is expected to strengthen trade relations between China and African nations while supporting efforts to boost economic growth across the continent.
Analysts say the combination of expanded market access and sustainable infrastructure cooperation could create new opportunities for African economies seeking both development and climate resilience.
For The Gambia, the experience at Tianjin Port highlights the potential benefits of investing in modern, environmentally friendly infrastructure as the country works to address the growing threats posed by climate change.
