Telecom Modernisation Deal: GAMTEL and YCELL signed a landmark investment and network modernisation agreement, including 4G/LTE and 5G rollout, core upgrades, new OSS/BSS and CRM systems, hybrid power for towers, and a modern corporate head office—aimed at boosting connectivity and fraud controls. Healthcare Upgrade: FaBB Foundation commissioned the first-ever Accident & Emergency (A&E) Unit at Bansang General Hospital, strengthening emergency response outside Banjul/Kanifing. Regional Health Support: WAHO and AfDB handed over 10 ambulances and major medical equipment to The Gambia under a $3.4m health system boost, building resilience beyond COVID-19. Energy Push: President Barrow announced Dangote’s $2bn pledge for a 250MW solar plant and a modern fuel tank farm—key steps for power reliability and fuel storage security. Skills & Industry Training: Government validated plans for two Centres of Excellence under the $13m RISE project—agribusiness at Ndemban and fisheries/aquaculture at Tujereng—geared toward labs, processing units, workshops and innovation hubs. Digital Payments at Scale: UNDP plans to expand blockchain-based humanitarian payments via Stellar, moving from pilots to a standing capability for country offices, including work already done in The Gambia. Policy & Trade for Industry: The Gambia backed WTO discussions on trade-investment integration to drive industrialisation, alongside other LDCs. Media Capacity for Democracy: CJID’s summit in Accra urged West African journalism to rebuild around data skills and regional cooperation as AI reshapes information flows.