Gadalla presents investment as a path to Libyan cohesion
LIBYA – Businessman Ahmed Gadalla argued that private-sector development, international partnerships and job creation can support national cohesion in Libya by building shared economic interests across the country’s regions and communities, rather than confining the debate on unity to political, historical or institutional arrangements alone.
His comments came in an article published by the English-language Qatari newspaper Gulf Times, which Al-Marsad followed and summarised. The piece examined the role of agriculture, food industries, iron and steel, digital banking services, training and local commercial activity in building a more interconnected economy.
UAE experience and spreading the gains of development
Gadalla noted that after the United Arab Emirates was formed in 1971, shared investment in infrastructure and economic development was used to strengthen cooperation among the seven emirates, pointing to Sheikh Zayed’s initiative to channel Abu Dhabi’s oil wealth into development across the federation and entrench common interests.
He said Libya could, in ways suited to its own circumstances, benefit from the idea of creating mutual economic dependence among regions so that the success of individuals and firms in one city is tied to the interests of partners in others, helping long-term national cohesion.
Date export chain linking south, centre and coast
He cited the date sector in different parts of Libya, explaining that exporting a single box begins with the farmer in the south, then passes through processing and packing centres in the centre, and reaches transport companies, traders and exporters in Benghazi and Tripoli.
Each stage, he said, creates jobs and a complementary relationship among actors and communities from different regions, and each party’s success depends on the performance of the others, reinforcing mutual benefit.
Local food industries instead of import dependence
Gadalla argued that building national supply chains and processing and manufacturing basic food goods locally can reduce reliance on imports, citing a milk and juice manufacturing facility in Benghazi costing about €14 million.
He said the project can develop manufacturing know-how, provide jobs for skilled staff and stimulate companies along the food chain, with effects extending beyond factory employees to packaging, transport, cold storage, distribution and retail.
Successful local plants of this kind, in his view, help build an intertwined business system linking firms, workers and communities that may not usually have direct ties, through shared economic interests.
Iron and steel project in Benghazi with Turkey
The article discussed a joint industrial project with Turkey to build an iron and steel complex in Benghazi, described as one of the largest industrial investments in the Libyan economy in decades, including direct-reduced iron production using natural gas.
Gadalla said the project could help Libya become a significant producer and exporter of iron and steel and contribute to diversifying the economy away from full reliance on oil and gas, through the transfer of foreign expertise and technology, attracting investment and access to international markets.
Seven thousand jobs and industrial skills for young people
Citing project estimates, he expected about 7,000 jobs in construction, engineering, metals, automation, logistics and plant management, as well as higher demand for local contractors and suppliers of equipment, transport and maintenance.
He said the project would allow Libyan young people to gain globally sought professional skills at home without having to migrate for training, stressing the role of international partnerships in knowledge transfer.
Such industrial diversification strategies, he argued, could also benefit Gulf and Middle Eastern countries, create mutual lessons, and support regional trade networks and a more diversified economy.
A modern banking system linking farmer, exporter and trader
The article stressed that these projects cannot deliver their full impact without a modern financial system, because trade among Libyan regions needs reliable banking services that can integrate with the international financial system.
In that context, Gadalla pointed to Wahda Bank’s partnership with the Dutch banking-technology company Backbase, which he saw as an opportunity to modernise financial services and make dealings between companies and individuals easier.
Digital services planned from early 2027
He said Wahda Bank intends, through the partnership, to roll out digital banking services for citizens from the beginning of 2027, which in his view would allow a date farmer in the south or an exporter in Benghazi or Tripoli to complete payments in moments with every transaction tracked and documented.
Modernising banks, he said, can ease internal trade difficulties and raise sector standards to an international level, supporting investment and economic growth.
Restaurants, cafés, shops and their social role
Gadalla highlighted consumer-facing commercial activity, including restaurants, cafés and retail outlets, because they create jobs, revive commercial and residential neighbourhoods, and provide places for families and communities to gather and interact.
Restoring normal economic and social activity after years of hardship, he said, can revive a sense of stable everyday life, and revitalising public spaces is linked to strengthening a shared national experience.
Vocational training and stemming the brain drain
He stressed that Libya’s future requires investment in human capital and career pathways for young people inside the country to curb the emigration of talent and skills, through vocational training in engineering, technical trades, management, hospitality, retail and other growing sectors.
When local institutions or companies lack funding or technical expertise, he added, partnerships with international firms can help train staff, transfer knowledge and develop national talent.
The private sector and shared interests among cities
No single company will solve all of Libya’s challenges, he said; development comes gradually through the combined effect of industries, major projects, training and commercial services, provided opportunities are spread across different cities and regions.
He called for investment in Libya’s strategic geography, domestic market, people’s skills and entrepreneurial spirit, arguing that the private sector’s role is to turn those resources into sustainable economic institutions and ties of mutual benefit.
He concluded that the country’s future will not be decided by natural resources alone, but by its ability to turn them into shared opportunities for its people through projects that provide work, develop skills and link communities — foundations, in his view, of a more prosperous, resilient and united Libya.
