Ambassador: Guinea sees Azerbaijan as strategic partner in energy, education, diplomacy and trade

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Guinea, Oumar Kande, residing in Ankara, carries out diplomatic activities in six countries - Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine.

In an interview with Report, the ambassador stated he attaches great importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan and has many plans in this regard.

How do you assess Guinea-Azerbaijan relations? What will be the main directions of your activities in Azerbaijan as an ambassador?

The relations between Guinea and Azerbaijan are marked by mutual respect, growing cooperation, and shared strategic interests. Although still in a phase of development, our bilateral ties are rooted in the principles of South-South cooperation, solidarity, and non-alignment. Both countries collaborate actively within multilateral frameworks such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the United Nations.

Guinea sees Azerbaijan as a strategic partner in energy, education, diplomacy, and trade.

As ambassador of Guinea to Azerbaijan, my mission will focus on the following strategic priorities: strengthening political and diplomatic relations by deepening high-level political dialogue; promoting economic and trade cooperation by encouraging Azerbaijani investments in the mining, infrastructure and agricultural sectors in Guinea; organizing economic forums and trade missions between Baku and Conakry; exploring and strengthening cooperation opportunities in the development of oil, gas and renewable energy; increasing educational and cultural exchange by expanding scholarship programs and university cooperation; promoting cultural understanding through exhibitions and festivals; strengthening ties between our peoples through diaspora, tourism and civil society partnerships, etc.

How do you see the future of cooperation between the two countries in a number of international organizations, including the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement?

Guinea deeply values its close and constructive cooperation with Azerbaijan within key international and multilateral organizations. This collaboration is grounded in our shared commitment to multilateralism, peaceful coexistence, sovereignty, and the development priorities of the Global South. Looking ahead, I see this partnership growing even stronger and becoming more strategically coordinated in several key areas.

There are four independent Guinean states in Africa. Is your Republic of Guinea fully independent?

Our Republic of Guinea was officially declared in 1958. We are the first country in Africa liberated from French colonialism, and we are proud of that. The others are Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, which is located in central Africa, and the other is New Guinea. Although we are in the same region as Guinea-Bissau, they were once colonies of Portugal.

By the way, how do you assess Azerbaijan's activities in the fight against neocolonialism?

This is a commendable activity. In particular, these activities stimulate and actively mobilize the people of Africa who are subjected to colonial oppression.

What is Guinea's place in the new level of cooperation between the Azerbaijani state and African countries?

In my view, Guinea holds a central and strategic position in the evolving partnership between Azerbaijan and the African continent. As one of the most resource-rich and historically significant countries in West Africa, Guinea has both the economic potential and political will to play a leading role in this new chapter of cooperation.

Azerbaijan’s increasing engagement with Africa—through platforms like the Non-Aligned Movement, South-South cooperation, and development assistance programs—represents a welcome shift toward more inclusive global partnerships. Within this framework, Guinea can serve as a key bridge between Azerbaijan and the West African region. Guinea can also serve as a hub for Azerbaijani companies seeking to expand into the wider ECOWAS market.

We are open to learning from Azerbaijan’s development model, especially in energy management, digital governance, and infrastructure development.

Which areas can be prioritized for the development of relations between the two countries?

To strengthen and develop relations between Guinea and Azerbaijan, several priority areas can be identified based on mutual interests, complementarities, and strategic value. Here is a breakdown of key sectors that can be prioritized: Guinea has vast reserves of bauxite, gold, and iron. Azerbaijan has deep expertise in oil, gas, and energy infrastructure. Prioritizing cooperation in resource management, energy infrastructure, and technical training would be mutually beneficial. Joint ventures in renewable energy (solar, hydroelectric) can also be explored.

Azerbaijan can invest in Guinea’s mining sector by providing technology, expertise, and financing promotion of value-added processing industries (e.g., aluminum refining from bauxite) in Guinea, supported by Azerbaijani industrial partners.

It is also possible to give importance to issues such as the establishment of a Guinea-Azerbaijan Business Forum, negotiations on bilateral trade agreements, investment protection agreements and facilitation of customs cooperation, promotion of Guinean agricultural exports to Azerbaijan and mineral products.

Guinean healthcare systems can benefit from Azerbaijan's experience in the field of healthcare, medical technology and hospital management.

It is desirable for Azerbaijani companies to contribute to infrastructure projects (roads, ports, energy networks) in Guinea. Cooperation in the field of digital transformation, including the development of e-governance and ICT, is also possible.

It would be possible to organize cultural festivals, exhibitions, intercultural programs to promote mutual understanding, and support cooperation in the media, tourism and creative industries.

It would be great to establish scholarship programs and academic exchanges for Guinean students at Azerbaijani universities, especially in the fields of engineering, energy, IT, and diplomacy. In particular, cooperation in vocational and technical training for the mining, agricultural and infrastructure sectors can be emphasized.

By the way, there has been a tradition of many people from Africa studying in Azerbaijan since the Soviet era. Are Guineans studying in Azerbaijan today?

There is a need to activate the educational tradition of the Soviet era. Compared to that time, we don't have so many students in Azerbaijan now. When I presented my credentials to President Ilham Aliyev, Mr. Aliyev immediately announced that two scholarship programs were allocated for students from Guinea who will come to Azerbaijan to study as part of an educational exchange. The head of state recommended that I meet with the Azerbaijani ministers of economy, finance, defense, and education. We had discussions with these ministers on raising the relations between our countries to a higher level. In this regard, we don't ignore relations in the fields of culture and agriculture.

I would like to especially note the fruitful meeting I had with the minister of science and education, Emin Amrullayev, during my stay in Baku on strengthening our cooperation in the field of education. Amrullayev also invited his Guinean counterpart to visit Azerbaijan.

Today, there are several Guinean students receiving education in Azerbaijan who are part of the academic community in Africa. They are fluent in many languages, including French, English, and others, which helps them integrate well and cooperate effectively with their peers.

Are high-level visits from Guinea to Azerbaijan expected in the near future?

Yes, at the invitation of the Azerbaijani side, there will be a high-level visit from Guinea to Baku in the near future. As part of this visit, the ministers of foreign affairs, education, economy, and defense will come to Baku, and cooperation agreements in various fields will be signed.

Your impressions about Azerbaijan would be interesting...

It is truly a pleasure to share my impressions of Azerbaijan, a country that impresses not only with its remarkable development but also with its deep cultural identity and hospitality. Modernity and tradition coexist harmoniously in your country.