AGP Executive Report

Energy & Infrastructure: Nigeria-Morocco’s $25bn gas pipeline plan is still stuck, with sources citing lukewarm Nigerian buy-in and bureaucratic roadblocks as the project was renamed the African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline after ECOWAS endorsement. Agri & Local Industry: President Barrow kept his development push moving in Central River Region North, inaugurating roads and health projects and backing an agro-logistics centre meant to boost training, logistics and food processing. Food Security & Jobs: Kanifing Municipal Council launched a circular agriculture facility linking production, a market, cold storage and composting to cut post-harvest losses and create women’s jobs. Tech & Skills Cooperation: NASENI and The Gambia agreed to deepen technology, TVET, research and commercialisation through a new MoU after a ministerial visit to NASENI’s solar and advanced manufacturing facilities. Banking & Trade Finance: Access Bank Gambia won Euromoney’s “Best Bank in The Gambia” for a third straight year, while GTBank raised Nigeria’s naira card international spend cap to $40,000 per quarter. Border & Security Tech: NACSA joined West Africa Border Security Week in Accra, with partners showcasing biometrics and digital identity tools for smarter border control. Media & Governance: Dubawa’s AI-driven fact-checking push highlights how West Africa is tackling misinformation with new verification tools. Environment & Construction Risks: Liberia’s sand-mining problem is spilling into coastal erosion concerns, with a regional push for responsible sand value chains that also covers The Gambia.

Roads & Agro-Logistics Push: President Adama Barrow continues his nationwide tour, inaugurating the 12km Njau Loop and laying the foundation for a 52km Ngayen Sanjal road, while also launching more Central River Region North projects including a new agro-logistics centre at Maka Farafenni and road works aimed at turning the area into a trade and transit hub. Circular Farming for Women’s Food Security: Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) opened a circular agriculture facility combining a production garden, on-site market, cold storage and composting to cut post-harvest losses, recycle waste into fertiliser, and create jobs for women. Tech & Skills Cooperation: NASENI and The Gambia agreed to develop a comprehensive MoU to deepen technology development, TVET, research, innovation, skills and technology commercialisation, following a ministerial visit to NASENI’s solar and advanced manufacturing facilities. Energy/Banking Recognition: Access Bank Gambia won Euromoney’s “Best Bank in The Gambia” for the third straight year, highlighting financial inclusion and digital innovation. Trade & Border Tech: NACSA joined West Africa Border Security Week in Accra, featuring digital identity, biometrics and border control technology providers alongside Gambia representatives. Fishing & Coastal Risk Watch: A regional warning highlights illegal fishing and sand mining pressures, with sand extraction linked to coastal erosion and calls for stronger regulation across Liberia and The Gambia.

Infrastructure Push in Central River: President Adama Barrow continues his nationwide tour, inaugurating roads and health projects in Central River Region North, including a new road linking Yalal to inland communities and laying stones for agro-logistics and Farafenni roads aimed at boosting trade and food processing. More Roads, More Access: In North Bank Region, Barrow also inaugurated a 17km road in Upper Badibou and launched additional road projects, with residents linking better roads to faster access to healthcare and livelihoods. Circular Farming for Women’s Food Security: Kanifing Municipal Council opened a circular agriculture facility combining a production garden, market, cold storage and composting to cut post-harvest losses, recycle waste into inputs, and create jobs for women. Tech & Skills Cooperation: NASENI and The Gambia move to deepen technology development and TVET cooperation via a Memorandum of Understanding after a high-level visit to NASENI’s research and specialised institute ecosystem. Energy Tariff Rumour Debunked: NAWEC says social media claims that Cashpower tariffs were increased are false, noting PURA sets published electricity rates. Banking Recognition: Access Bank Gambia wins Euromoney’s “Best Bank in the Gambia” for a third straight year, highlighting financial inclusion and digital innovation. Border Tech Week: NACSA joins West Africa Border Security Week in Accra, showcasing digital identity and biometrics solutions with participation from Gambia-linked security and technology partners.

Infrastructure & Agro-Logistics: President Adama Barrow continued his nationwide push, inaugurating roads and health projects in Central River Region North, including a new Yalal road and foundations for Farafenni roads, plus an agro-logistics centre at Maka Farafenni jointly funded with the World Bank. Municipal Food Security: Kanifing Municipal Council launched a circular agriculture facility linking production gardens, cold storage, composting and a market to cut post-harvest losses and create jobs for women. Tech & Skills Cooperation: NASENI and The Gambia agreed to deepen cooperation via a Memorandum of Understanding covering TVET, research, innovation, skills development and technology commercialisation. Energy Tariff Fact-Check: NAWEC says a viral claim that Cashpower tariffs were increased is false; PURA remains the tariff-setting authority. Banking Recognition: Access Bank Gambia won Euromoney’s “Best Bank in The Gambia” for the third straight year, highlighting financial inclusion and digital innovation. Tourism Funding Push: Hotels Association calls for higher budget allocation to tourism, culture and creative arts to support sites, training and service delivery. Border Security Tech: NACSA joined West Africa Border Security Week in Accra, showcasing biometrics and digital identity tools with participation from The Gambia. Mining/Coastal Risk Watch: Sand mining concerns resurfaced in a West Africa regional push, warning uncontrolled extraction can accelerate erosion and threaten coastal livelihoods.

Roads & Agro-Logistics Push: President Adama Barrow continues his nationwide tour, inaugurating roads and health projects in Central River Region North, including a new road linking Yalal to inland communities and laying groundwork for Farafenni roads and an agro-logistics centre (Govt–World Bank), aimed at boosting trade, food processing and connectivity. Circular Farming for Women: Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) opened a circular agriculture facility combining a production garden, on-site market, cold storage and composting to cut post-harvest losses, recycle waste into fertiliser, and create jobs for women. Tech & Skills Cooperation: NASENI and The Gambia agreed to develop an MoU to deepen technology development, TVET, research, innovation and skills commercialisation, following a ministerial visit to NASENI’s centres. Banking Recognition: Access Bank Gambia won Euromoney’s “Best Bank in The Gambia” for 2026 for a third straight year, highlighting financial inclusion and digital innovation. Energy Tariff Rumour Check: NAWEC says a viral claim that Cashpower tariffs were increased is false; PURA remains the tariff regulator. Border Security Tech: NACSA joined West Africa Border Security Week in Accra, with industry partners showcasing biometrics and digital identity tools for border control. Illegal Fishing Warning: A report flags China’s illegal fishing practices and lack of transparency as a major threat to West African fisheries, including The Gambia.

Infrastructure & Agri-Logistics: President Adama Barrow kept his nationwide push moving in Central River Region North, inaugurating roads and launching new links meant to connect farmers to markets, improve access to schools and health services, and boost the Senegambia trade corridor; key items included a road foundation in Yalal, an agro-logistics centre at Maka Farafenni jointly funded by the Government and the World Bank, and the Farafenni Roads Project aimed at turning the area into a sub-regional trade and transit hub. Circular Food Systems: Kanifing Municipal Council opened a circular agriculture facility to strengthen local food security, cut post-harvest losses, and create jobs for women, combining a production garden, on-site market, cold storage, and composting to recycle waste back into inputs. Tech & Skills Cooperation: NASENI and The Gambia agreed to develop a comprehensive MoU to deepen technology development, TVET, research, innovation, skills development, and technology commercialisation, following a high-level visit by The Gambia’s higher education minister to NASENI facilities. Energy Tariff Fact-Check: A social media claim that NAWEC and President Barrow increased Cashpower tariffs was denied by NAWEC, with PURA’s published domestic prepaid rate listed at D13.85 per kWh. Banking Recognition: Access Bank Gambia won Euromoney’s “Best Bank in The Gambia” for the third straight year, highlighting financial inclusion and digital innovation. Border Security Tech: NACSA joined West Africa Border Security Week in Accra, with technology partners showcasing biometrics, identity verification, document examination, digital identity, and border control tools. Regional Development Debate: A separate analysis argues The Gambia must build enough domestic financial capacity to finance priorities instead of relying on external partners as a permanent necessity.

Cross-Border Skills & Tech: NASENI is moving to deepen cooperation with The Gambia through a new MoU covering technology development, TVET, research, innovation, skills and technology commercialisation after a ministerial visit to NASENI facilities in Abuja. Infrastructure for Jobs & Food: President Adama Barrow continues a nationwide road push, inaugurating a 17km road in Upper Badibou and laying foundations for more projects, saying better roads will connect farmers to markets and speed access to schools and healthcare. Circular Agriculture in Kanifing: Kanifing Municipal Council opened a circular farming facility with a production garden, market, cold storage and composting to cut post-harvest losses and create women’s jobs. Banking & International Spending: Access Bank Gambia won Euromoney’s “Best Bank in The Gambia” for a third straight year, while GTBank (Nigeria) raised quarterly international spending limits on naira cards to $40,000—signals of growing regional consumer finance activity. Energy Tariff Rumour Checked: NAWEC says social media claims that Cashpower tariffs were increased are false; PURA remains the regulator for electricity rates. Tourism Funding Push (Region): Ghana Hotels Association urged higher budget allocation for tourism, culture and creative arts, warning the sector is being left out of mid-year funding. Border Security Week (Region): NACSA joined West Africa Border Security Week in Accra, highlighting digital identity and biometrics for smarter border management involving The Gambia and neighbours. Food Systems Debate: A report on aquaculture warns that some farmed fish are fed with wild fish, raising concerns about whether aquaculture is truly easing pressure on oceans. Malaria Control Research: New research explores malaria nets that don’t just kill mosquitoes but also disrupt the parasite inside them, aiming to counter insecticide resistance. Climate Fire Snapshot (Region): Global data shows Africa is the biggest hotspot for land burned in 2026 so far, led by DR Congo.

Tourism Funding Push: Ghana Hotels Association urged higher budget allocation for tourism, culture and creative arts after the sector was left out of the 2026 mid-year review, warning that without funding training and site maintenance will suffer. Border Tech & Security: NACSA joined West Africa Border Security Week in Accra, highlighting “intelligent border management” with biometrics, digital identity and document checks involving partners from across the region including The Gambia. Gambia-Tech Skills Deal: NASENI and The Gambia agreed to develop a MoU to deepen technology development, TVET, research, innovation and technology commercialisation, following a ministerial visit to NASENI’s solar, manufacturing and drone-related facilities. Roads for Jobs & Food: President Barrow’s nationwide tour continued with road inaugurations and new foundations in the Central River and North Bank regions, linking better connectivity to market access, healthcare reach and agribusiness growth. Circular Farming in Kanifing: KMC launched a circular agriculture facility combining production, cold storage, composting and a market to cut post-harvest losses and create women-led jobs. Banking Recognition: Access Bank Gambia won Euromoney’s “Best Bank in The Gambia” for the third straight year, citing progress in digital innovation and financial inclusion. Electricity Tariff Fact-Check: NAWEC denied social media claims that Cashpower rates were increased, pointing to PURA’s published tariff schedule. Visa Bond Shock (Tourism Risk): A U.S. visa bond program made permanent for 50 countries is linked to an 83% drop in visas issued, raising concerns for travel and tourism demand.

Tech & Skills Pact: NASENI and The Gambia agreed to draft an MoU to deepen cooperation in technology development, TVET, research, innovation, skills and technology commercialisation after a ministerial visit to NASENI facilities, including solar, agricultural mechanisation, advanced manufacturing and drones. Roads for Jobs & Food: President Adama Barrow continued his nationwide tour, inaugurating a 17km road in Upper Badibou and launching more projects, saying better roads will connect farmers to markets, improve access to schools and healthcare, and strengthen the Central River Region’s “food basket” role. Circular Farming for Women: Kanifing Municipal Council opened a circular agriculture facility combining a production garden, market, cold storage and composting to cut post-harvest losses, recycle waste into fertiliser, and create jobs for women. Energy Tariff Fact-Check: A social media claim that NAWEC and Barrow increased Cashpower tariffs was denied by NAWEC; PURA’s published domestic prepaid rate remains D13.85 per kWh. Banking Recognition: Access Bank Gambia won Euromoney’s “Best Bank in The Gambia” for the third straight year, highlighting financial inclusion and digital innovation. Health & Learning: A new NASENI-Gambia tech push comes alongside broader regional focus on skills and development, while malaria research and polio eradication updates underline ongoing public health priorities.

Roads & Regional Growth: President Adama Barrow says new Central River Region roads will unlock markets, schools and healthcare, and boost the area’s farm output as the “food basket” of The Gambia. Municipal Circular Farming: Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) launched a circular agriculture facility for women, linking production gardens, a market, cold storage and composting to cut post-harvest losses and reduce imports. National Infrastructure Push: Barrow inaugurated a 17km road in Upper Badibou and laid groundwork for more projects, while also starting a week-long nationwide tour to launch and inaugurate infrastructure, health and agriculture initiatives. Banking & Consumer FX Access: GTBank (Nigeria) raised its quarterly international spending limit on naira cards to $40,000, a sign of FX reforms translating into wider consumer purchasing power. Energy Tariff Fact-Check: A viral claim that NAWEC increased Cashpower tariffs was denied by NAWEC, with the regulator still listing D13.85 per kWh for domestic prepaid users. Finance & Recognition: Access Bank Gambia won Euromoney’s “Best Bank in The Gambia” for a third straight year, highlighting continued focus on inclusion and digital innovation.

Infrastructure & Roads: President Adama Barrow continues his nationwide development push, inaugurating a 17km Salikenni–Banni–Njaba Kunda road in Upper Badibou and laying foundation stones for more road projects in Barra and Daru Rilwan, with residents linking better access to faster healthcare and improved livelihoods. National Tour: Barrow has kicked off a week-long tour across all regions to launch and inaugurate infrastructure, health and agriculture projects, with supporters welcoming the delegation at the Banjul ferry crossing. Energy Tariffs Fact-Check: A viral claim that NAWEC and Barrow increased Cashpower rates was debunked—NAWEC says no increase was made, and PURA lists the domestic prepaid tariff at D13.85 per kWh. Finance & Banking: Access Bank Gambia wins Euromoney’s “Best Bank in The Gambia” for the third straight year, highlighting financial inclusion and digital innovation. Trade & Logistics: A businessman was convicted for stealing five 20-foot ceramic tile containers worth D12.075m, after port and customs charges were settled and the goods were left uncleared. Creative & Skills: A Gambia-linked story spotlights African culture and music promotion in Europe, while broader coverage also points to STEM and creative-economy momentum across the region.

Banking & Finance: Access Bank Gambia wins Euromoney’s “Best Bank in The Gambia” for the third straight year, citing progress in financial inclusion, digital innovation and sustainable customer-focused banking. Climate & Media Skills: The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) launched a Practical Guide to Reporting Just Transition in Africa, aiming to help newsrooms cover climate justice, workers’ rights and green industrialisation. Health & Research: A new malaria-control approach is highlighted: bed nets that don’t rely only on insecticides, instead delivering anti-parasitic compounds to disrupt the parasite inside mosquitoes—relevant as resistance grows. Energy & Utilities Fact-Check: A viral claim that NAWEC increased Cashpower tariffs is denied by NAWEC and checked against PURA’s published domestic prepaid rate of D13.85 per kWh. Regional Integration & Travel: Chad and the Republic of the Congo plan to scrap visa requirements for African nationals from January 1, 2027, pushing easier movement for trade and tourism. Aviation & Trade Links: Open skies calls grow louder as African aviation leaders urge faster implementation to improve connectivity and unlock AfCFTA trade. Court & Trade Security: A businessman in The Gambia is found guilty of stealing five containers of ceramic wall tiles worth D12,075,000, after disputes delayed clearance.

Aid-to-self-reliance: A new piece argues fragile states can’t rely on shrinking foreign aid and must build their own capacity and growth path. ECOWAS currency: West Africa’s push for a single Eco currency by 2027 is back in focus, but critics point to macroeconomic gaps and sovereignty friction. Power tariffs fact-check: A viral claim that NAWEC raised Cashpower tariffs was denied by NAWEC, which says the domestic prepaid rate remains D13.85 per kWh under PURA schedules. Agro-processing finance: Zeenab Foods in Nigeria raised up to N25bn via a Commercial Paper issuance to fund working capital for rice milling and agro-commodity trading. AI for media integrity: CJID’s Dubawa AI is highlighted as a tool to help journalists and the public verify claims and fight misinformation. Border densification: A commentary explains Senegal–Gambia border densification as technical pillar-marking, not redrawing territory. Aviation funding dispute (regional): Nigeria’s aviation sector funding fight continues as regulators and lawmakers debate the 5% ticket and cargo charge sharing. Container theft case: A businessman was found guilty of stealing five 20-foot ceramic tile containers worth D12.075m. Blockchain for public services: UNDP says blockchain pilots (including in The Gambia) are moving toward production digital public infrastructure once governance and trust frameworks are ready.

Women & Health Leadership: Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, was named among ABCD Africa’s “100 Most Impactful Voices 2026,” highlighting work on women’s empowerment, girls’ education and equitable healthcare. Energy Tariffs Fact-Check: A viral claim that NAWEC and President Adama Barrow increased Cashpower tariffs was debunked—NAWEC says no increase was made, and PURA lists Cashpower at D13.85 per kWh. Agro-Industry Finance: Zeenab Foods launched a N25bn Series 3 Commercial Paper issuance to fund working capital for its rice milling, agro-commodity exports and food supply contracts. AI & Media Integrity: CJID’s Dubawa AI is being developed to help journalists and the public verify claims and fight misinformation using AI-assisted fact-checking. Border & Trade Facilitation: A renewed push for completing the Senegal–Gambia border densification programme stresses it’s a technical demarcation exercise, not a redrawing of the border. Logistics & Courts: A man was fined D12m after being found guilty of unlawfully converting and stealing five containers of ceramic wall tiles. Aviation Connectivity: Calls for faster “open skies” implementation across Africa aim to cut air connectivity costs and boost trade and investment. Infrastructure Investing: Coronation Asset Management opened a N20bn infrastructure fund series offer to mobilise long-term private capital for infrastructure debt opportunities. Heritage & Archives: Hassoum Ceesay’s British Academy honour is framed as a step toward stronger Gambian ownership of history, archives and cultural leadership.

Aviation & Trade Funding: Nigeria’s aviation regulator NCAA is pushing to restore its original 65% share of the 5% ticket sales and cargo charges, warning that any cut could weaken safety oversight. Border & Logistics: A renewed call highlights why the Senegal–Gambia border densification programme matters, stressing it’s a technical demarcation exercise, not a redrawing of the border. Maritime/Port Crime: A man was fined D12M after being found guilty of stealing five 20-foot containers of ceramic wall tiles, a case tied to customs and port clearance delays. Environment & Coastal Livelihoods: Reporting from Banjul’s Tanbi Wetland shows women-led mangrove and crab/oyster livelihood work, with restoration efforts running alongside seasonal harvesting. Disaster Relief: Qatar Charity says it delivered flood support to 1,200 Gambia families, including food baskets, blankets, and shelter materials. Higher Education Linkages: The Gambia’s higher education minister visited Nile University in Nigeria as part of a NUC-coordinated study tour to strengthen university-industry learning. Water Investment Push: The African Water Forum in Chad saw countries, including The Gambia, launch water compacts aimed at shifting water policy toward investable national pipelines.

Russia-Africa Deal Push: Russia’s ambassador says Moscow wants a bigger role in Africa’s energy, security and industrial development, pitching “sovereign equality” and practical cooperation over Western-style aid and conditionality. Border & Trade Clarity: A fresh push argues the Senegal-Gambia border “densification” is a technical demarcation exercise, not a redrawing of the boundary—important as public debate heats up after incidents like Bulock. Aviation Funding Fight: Nigeria’s aviation regulators and engineers are locked in a dispute over restoring the NCAA’s 65% share of the 5% ticket and cargo charges, with lawmakers holding hearings and unions splitting on the way forward. Port & Customs Crime: A man was fined D12M for stealing five 20-foot containers of ceramic wall tiles, after the goods sat uncleared due to shipping and customs charge disagreements. Flood Relief for Industry & Households: Qatar Charity says it delivered food, blankets and construction materials to 1,200 flood-affected families in The Gambia under a QR670,000 project. Local Climate Work: In Banjul’s Tanbi Wetland, women-led mangrove and crab/oyster livelihood efforts are also shifting toward restoration to protect coastal communities. Education & Skills: Access Bank’s STEM Africa Fest highlights continued corporate support for hands-on science and engineering learning across Africa.