Power & Water Crisis: Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) staged rain-defying protests and issued a 10-day ultimatum to NAWEC, citing recurring blackouts, water shortages, and governance/management failures despite major past investments. Electricity Dependence Risk: A Gambian economist warned the country’s reliance on imported power leaves it exposed to supply shocks, while also drawing parallels with rice import dependence. Energy Sector Pressure: NAWEC also faced public pressure after reports of worsening service delivery, with businesses and households among the hardest hit. Workforce & Industry Skills: President Adama Barrow launched a Graduate Engineering Deployment Programme and pushed USET expansion, including plans for new engineering colleges to support infrastructure, energy, and industrial needs. TVET for Microfinance: NAQAA launched a national TVET curriculum for financial cooperatives and microfinance practitioners, aiming to professionalize and strengthen the sector. Agriculture & Food Security: GFA called for decisive action in Gambian agriculture, arguing the sector remains trapped in rainfall dependency and weak productivity growth. Coastal Resilience: Residents along the Kotu Stream raised concerns over delays and lack of communication around the WACA ResIP 2 project as rains approach. Trade & Finance: ITFC signed agreements at the IsDB annual meetings, including a framework with The Gambia to boost trade, energy security, and private sector development. Infrastructure Push: Barrow laid foundations for road construction under “Connect Gambia,” targeting feeder roads to improve access in remote communities.