AGP Executive Report

Electricity & Water Pressure: 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 heavy past spending. Energy Crisis Warning: A Gambian opposition economist says the country risks an electricity crisis and remains overly dependent on imports, while also flagging rice import dependence as a wider vulnerability. Power Protest Escalation: Another GALA report says the group is demanding answers from the energy minister over a leaked warning letter tied to Karpowership and alternative generation plans. Skills for Industry: 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 Finance Cooperatives: NAQAA launched a national TVET curriculum for financial cooperatives and microfinance, aiming to professionalize skills and improve service delivery. Trade & Financing Boost: ITFC signed a US$250m framework with The Gambia to advance trade, energy security and private sector development, while IsDB/ITFC meetings in Baku also highlighted new regional financing deals. Coastal Resilience Concern: Residents along Kotu Stream question delays and communication around WACA ResIP 2 demarcation and stream restoration ahead of rains. Agriculture Push: KOPIA began certified rice seed production training, targeting higher-quality seed systems to reduce rice import reliance.

Trade & Finance Boost: ITFC signed a US$250m framework with The Gambia to back energy supply, food security, healthcare, agriculture value chains and private-sector financing through local banks, plus other trade-finance deals at the IsDB meetings in Baku. Regional Integration for Business: ECOWAS steering talks in Banjul focused on trade facilitation, market access and support for MSMEs, with plans to review cross-border projects and strengthen competition and consumer protection. Coastal Resilience Watch: Residents along the Kotu Stream say they haven’t seen officials from the WACA ResIP 2 project despite demarcation work, raising fears about flooding and possible relocation as rains approach. Agriculture Data Push: GIEPA and partners validated digital data across rice, horticulture, maize, cashew, poultry and groundnuts under the GIRAFE project to improve planning and investment decisions. Aviation & Connectivity: Barrow commended Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps support to USET graduates, while Air Peace’s Brazil approval signals wider African air route expansion. Local Governance Scrutiny: A Gambian MP called to scrap the Constituency Development Fund after auditor findings of poor management and payments without proper approvals.

Roads & Connectivity: President Barrow laid the foundation stone for “Connect Gambia” feeder roads in Upper River Region, including an 11.2 km link in Jimara, aiming to improve access for remote settlements and cut transport friction for goods and people. Trade Finance Boost: The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) signed a US$250m framework with The Gambia to back energy supply, food security, healthcare, agriculture value chains and private sector financing through local banks. Regional Integration Push: ECOWAS steering meetings in Banjul focused on trade facilitation, cross-border project coordination, and stronger competition and consumer protection rules. Agriculture Data Platform: GIEPA and partners validated a digital platform to profile farmers, cooperatives, processors and exporters across rice, horticulture, maize, cashew, poultry and groundnuts, targeting better planning and investment decisions. Tax Modernisation: Gambia Revenue Authority urged businesses to embrace the new digital tax system (ITAS) to modernise tax administration. Fisheries & Ocean Protection: The Gambia joined the Mombasa Declaration to strengthen fisheries transparency and fight illegal fishing, while West Africa pushed for marine protected areas in the Eastern Atlantic. Governance Watch: A lawmaker called for scrapping the Constituency Development Fund, citing auditor general findings of poor management and payments without proper approval.

Trade & Finance Boost: ITFC signed a US$250m framework with The Gambia at the IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Baku, targeting energy supply, food security, healthcare, agricultural value chains and private-sector financing through local banks. Regional Integration in Action: ECOWAS steering meetings in Banjul focused on trade facilitation, reforming ETLS and SIGMAT, and strengthening competition and consumer protection across West Africa. Agriculture Data Push: GIEPA unveiled a digital mapping platform and a World Bank-backed value-chain data review (rice, horticulture, maize, cashew, poultry, groundnuts) to improve planning and investment decisions. Aviation & Connectivity: Air Peace secured Brazil approval to start scheduled Nigeria–Brazil passenger, cargo and mail services, while also pursuing routes to Toronto, New York and China. Infrastructure for Industry: President Barrow laid foundations for 85km of feeder roads in Upper River Region to improve access for settlements and local goods movement. Maritime Protection: West African states backed expanding marine protected areas under the Our Ocean push, including a joint regional MPA plan involving The Gambia and neighbours. Governance & Accountability: Auditor General findings sparked debate over the Constituency Development Fund, with claims of poor management and projects paid without proper approval.

IsDB/ITFC Trade & Energy Deals: At the 2026 IsDB Annual Meetings in Baku, ITFC signed a US$250m framework with The Gambia to back energy supply, food security, healthcare, agricultural value chains and private-sector financing, plus other trade-finance agreements with partners. Roads & Connectivity: President Barrow laid foundations for “Connect Gambia” feeder roads in Upper River Region—85 km across 22 settlements—aimed at improving access for remote communities and moving goods faster. ECOWAS Trade Facilitation: ECOWAS and partners held a Banjul steering meeting to push regional trade, market access and business growth, including reforms to trade facilitation and stronger competition and consumer protection. Agriculture Data Push: GIEPA and partners validated digital agricultural value-chain data (rice, horticulture, maize, cashew, poultry, groundnuts) to support better planning and investment decisions. Fashion & Exports Potential: Gambian designer Aminata Jarju is set to receive a major African Fashion Designer Award in London, spotlighting Senegambian textiles and boosting the fashion brand’s international trade links. Maritime Safety & Fisheries Transparency: The “Our Ocean” push gained momentum with commitments to fight illegal fishing through better vessel monitoring and shared data, with The Gambia among signatories. Power Reliability Debate: Opposition figures renewed criticism over persistent electricity outages despite major energy spending, warning the business impact is hitting small operators hard.

Fashion & Trade: Gambian designer Aminata Jarju will receive the African Fashion Designer Award in London on Aug 21, 2026, spotlighting Senegambian textiles and boosting cross-border business links through her roles in fashion and the Czech-Gambian Chamber. Roads & Connectivity: President Barrow laid foundations for “Connect Gambia” feeder roads in Upper River Region, including an 11.2 km Jimara link, aiming to cut travel barriers for residents and small traders. IsDB Financing Push: At the IsDB annual meetings in Baku, the bank signed multiple development deals and stressed regional integration as a growth engine, including a Gambia-focused vocational and youth employment package. Trade Finance for Businesses: ITFC signed a US$250m framework agreement with The Gambia to back trade, energy security, food security, agriculture value chains and private sector financing via local institutions. Agriculture Data: GIEPA unveiled a digital mapping platform to drive agricultural investment, supported by a GIRAFE-linked push for real-time value-chain data. Tax & Digital Systems: Gambia Revenue Authority urged businesses to embrace a new digital tax system, as the country moves toward more modern tax administration. Regional Trade Integration: ECOWAS steering meetings in Banjul focused on trade facilitation, border cooperation and reforms affecting business growth across West Africa. Weather Watch: Foroyaa flagged a worrying rain gap between eastern and western regions after June 15, warning farmers to plan for dry spells and pest risks.

Trade & Finance Push for Gambia: ITFC (IsDB Group) signed a US$250m framework with The Gambia at the IsDB annual meetings in Baku, targeting trade, energy security, food security, healthcare, agricultural value chains and private-sector financing via local banks. Regional Integration in Action: ECOWAS held a steering meeting in Banjul focused on trade transformation, border cooperation and faster trade facilitation, including reforms to ETLS and SIGMAT and stronger competition and consumer protection. Faster, Safer Trade Flows: AfDB-backed trade finance guarantees are expanding confirming-bank capacity, with Ghana International Bank’s confirming bank deal highlighted as a model to keep import-export deals moving in low-income markets like The Gambia. Agriculture Data Upgrade: GIEPA unveiled a digital mapping platform under the World Bank GIRAFE project to profile farmers and value chains (rice, horticulture, maize, cashew, poultry, groundnuts) for better planning and investment. Power, Costs & Food Supply: Gambian fish vendors report improved electricity supply but still face weak sales due to higher fish prices and reduced local supplies, linked to industrial buyers. Weather Watch: Foroyaa is investigating why rain is absent in Banjul and the West Coast after 15 June, raising risks for farmers in those regions.

Trade Finance Boost: ITFC signed a US$250m framework with The Gambia at the IsDB Annual Meetings in Baku, targeting energy supply, food security, healthcare, agricultural value chains and private sector financing. Agriculture Data Push: GIEPA unveiled a digital mapping platform to profile farmers, cooperatives, processors and exporters across key value chains, aiming to close an information gap and guide investment. Tax Modernisation: The Gambia Revenue Authority urged manufacturers and industrial businesses to adopt the new Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), a web-based overhaul for e-registration, e-filing, e-payment and refunds. Research Funding: NRIF launched three research and innovation funding initiatives, including a D100m endowment fund and digital support platform, to back practical solutions to national challenges. Fisheries Transparency: The Mombasa Declaration saw The Gambia join other countries pledging better vessel data sharing to fight illegal fishing and protect livelihoods. Electricity Pressure: PROGRESS Gambia accused government of failing to deliver reliable power despite major energy investments, warning outages are hurting small businesses.

Fisheries Transparency Push: Fifteen countries signed the Mombasa Declaration at the Our Ocean Conference, pledging to share fisheries data and modernise vessel registries to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing—Gambia is among the signatories. Agriculture Digitalisation: GIEPA unveiled a digital mapping platform to profile farmers and value-chain actors across rice, horticulture, maize, cashew, poultry and groundnuts, aiming to close information gaps and unlock investment. Tax Modernisation for Industry: The Gambia Revenue Authority rolled out sensitisation on the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), a web-based platform for e-registration, e-filing, e-payment and online services to improve compliance and reduce fraud. Trade Finance Boost: ITFC signed a US$250m framework agreement with The Gambia to support energy supply, food security, healthcare, agricultural value chains and private sector financing, plus additional trade-finance deals with Tajikistan and IFC. Research Funding: NRIF launched three funding initiatives, including a D100m endowment and specialised windows, to back research and innovation with practical national impact. Energy Pressure on Businesses: PROGRESS leader Amadou Jaiteh criticised ongoing power outages despite major energy investments, warning small businesses are losing income and spoiling goods. Seeds for Farmers: Government distributed certified seeds worth D241m, targeting 20,082 hectares across seven regions to raise yields and production. Regional Health Support: A new West African health systems strengthening grant approved for WAHO includes The Gambia and plans cross-border “One Health” lab work in Togo.

Tax & Industry Digitalisation: The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) is pushing manufacturers to adopt its new Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), a secure web-based platform for e-registration, e-filing, e-payment and faster refunds, aimed at cutting paperwork and fraud while boosting compliance. Research & Innovation Funding: The National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF) launched three funding initiatives, including a D100m endowment, specialised funding windows and a digital platform, to back research that solves national challenges. Agriculture Inputs: Government distributed certified seeds worth D241m across all seven agricultural regions, targeting rice, maize, groundnut, findi and cowpea to raise yields and hectares. Health Regulation Watch: India moved cough syrups to prescription-only after misuse and contamination deaths, a reminder for Gambia’s regulators and pharmacies to tighten oversight. Regional Health Programme: Togo secured a $14.26m West African health systems grant (including The Gambia) to strengthen preparedness, regulation and cross-border “One Health” lab work. Energy & Markets: Fish vendors report improved electricity supply but still face sluggish sales due to higher prices and reduced local supplies.

Tax & Manufacturing Digital Push: The Gambia Revenue Authority says its new Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) will move domestic tax services online for manufacturers—e-registration, e-filing, e-payment and faster refunds—aiming to cut manual processes and boost compliance. Seeds for Farmers: Government distributed “certified seeds” worth about D241M across all seven agricultural regions, targeting rice, maize, groundnut, findi and cowpea to expand yields and hectares. Public Finance Focus: The World Bank released Gambia’s 2026 economic and public finance review, flagging steady growth but warning the key challenge is turning it into jobs, especially with high informality and youth unemployment. Regional Competition Rules: An ECOWAS-backed seminar in Banjul highlighted competition law and consumer protection, stressing fair markets and stronger enforcement to support regional growth. Energy Accountability Debate: Fresh criticism resurfaced over Barrow’s electricity promises, with commentators pointing to years of investment but persistent power failures. Trade Finance Boost: ITFC and The Gambia signed a US$250m framework agreement to back trade finance, energy security, food security and private sector growth. Court Case Watch: In the Arona Tine murder trial, defence pressed for full 24-hour CCTV footage, while Tine denied involvement and described his role as an electrical engineer. Global Fishing Transparency: A “Mombasa Declaration” targets illegal fishing through better vessel data—an issue that hits small-scale fishers hard where enforcement is weak. Tech Deal in Africa: Chimoney’s parent company says it has an acquisition agreement in principle with CapitalSage, expanding payments reach beyond Nigeria, Kenya and The Gambia.

Trade & Finance: ITFC (IsDB Group) and The Gambia signed a US$250m framework deal aimed at boosting trade finance, energy security, food security and private-sector growth. Energy & Macroeconomy: The IMF chief said the US-Iran ceasefire is welcome, but energy recovery will take time as supply disruptions and infrastructure damage unwind. Food Security & Media: FAO urged West Africa to use strategic storytelling to strengthen food security and resilience, calling on communication teams to drive real development impact. Health Regulation & Consumer Safety: India moved cough syrups to prescription-only by removing “syrups for cough” from Schedule K, tightening oversight after contaminated products were linked to child deaths—an issue that also raises awareness for Gambia’s own medicine quality controls. Agribusiness & Exports: China opened a unified quarantine access route for African cashew exports, including Gambia, if products meet common inspection and sanitary requirements. Infrastructure & Industry Inputs: A gardener says electricity problems and weak storage facilities are driving major post-harvest losses for vegetables and fruits. Bilateral Cooperation: The 4th Senegalo-Gambian Presidential Council in Dakar advanced agreements on energy, trade facilitation, digital transformation, education and security coordination, with joint working groups to push implementation. Tourism & Creative Economy: ITC/EU roadmaps were validated to improve competitiveness and market access for tourism and creative MSMEs, with focus on women and youth.

Tobacco & Youth Protection: A coalition in Kenya urged MPs to fast-track the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, warning new nicotine products are moving faster than regulation. Pharma Regulation: India ended over-the-counter sales of cough syrups, requiring prescriptions after deaths linked to contaminated medicines; the move is part of wider syrup safety scrutiny. Gambia–Senegal Cooperation: President Adama Barrow called the Senegalo-Gambian Presidential Council a top decision body, with new agreements on energy, trade facilitation, digital transformation, education and security coordination. Energy & Industry: Lawmakers renewed pressure over The Gambia’s electricity crisis and dependence on imported power, as blackouts keep hitting businesses and households. Oil Exploration Hope: Eni’s entry into offshore Block A1 is reigniting expectations that The Gambia could finally find commercial oil. Agriculture & Trade: China expanded cashew access for African exporters under unified inspection and quarantine rules, potentially benefiting Gambia’s cashew trade. Food Supply Chain: A gardener warned that weak storage and refrigeration—worsened by power challenges—pushes up losses for small farmers and traders. Finance & Jobs: FirstBank launched its 2026 Pan-African Graduate Trainee Programme, including applications for The Gambia. Maritime Security: The Combined Maritime Task Force Gulf of Guinea added Gambia among pioneer states to tackle piracy and protect trade.

Tourism & Creative Economy: EU-ITC validation in The Gambia unveiled new roadmaps to boost a more competitive, inclusive and sustainable tourism and creative sector, with a strong push for MSMEs, women and youth, plus better market access and institutional support. Energy & Power Reliability: Lawmakers and residents renewed pressure over persistent blackouts and rural electrification failures, with complaints that grid power is unreliable and undermines businesses and household life. Gambia–Senegal Cooperation: Presidents Barrow and Faye met in Dakar for a results-focused Senegalo-Gambian Presidential Council, agreeing on joint working groups across energy, trade facilitation, digital transformation, education and security. Agriculture Productivity Debate: Economist Dr. Ousman Gajigo questioned rice output and disputed electricity export claims, pointing to low rice yields and execution gaps. Food & Storage Challenge: A gardener warned that weak cold storage and electricity constraints are driving post-harvest losses for fruits and vegetables. Maritime Security: CMTF-GoG launched in Lagos with Gambia among pioneer states, aiming to protect Gulf of Guinea trade and advance the blue economy. Trade & Food Safety: Gambia’s cashew exports to China gained broader access under unified inspection and quarantine requirements. Market Incident: Fire damaged stalls at Serrekunda’s Sandika market, with traders linking the cause to electrical faults.

Agribusiness Trade: China has opened cashew market access for more African suppliers from June 9 by using one set of inspection, quarantine and sanitary rules, removing the need for country-by-country negotiations—good news for exporters including The Gambia. Capital Markets: FMDQ approved Miskay Boutique International’s N280m Series 1 Tranche A, N820m Tranche B and N1.02bn Tranche C commercial paper under its N5bn programme, aimed at boosting working capital and liquidity. Energy & Power: A NAM lawmaker says The Gambia’s electricity crisis is a preventable emergency driven by years of underinvestment in local generation, while residents in URR complain new grid connections are undermined by frequent outages. Governance & Anti-Corruption: Civil society under Gambia Participates is urging government to operationalise the Anti-Corruption Commission after delays in swearing in commissioners. Environment & Land Use: Activists warn Tanbi Wetland is under pressure from reclamation and infrastructure plans, as climate risks to Banjul intensify. Industry & Infrastructure: GAMGO and GAGO report major basalt shipments from Cape Verde to support construction materials supply for infrastructure expansion. Business & Consumer Safety: A fire damaged stalls at Serrekunda’s Sandika market, disrupting trade in the country’s busiest open-air market.

Maritime Security: Gambia joined six pioneer states in flagging off the Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea in Lagos, pushing an African-led approach to protect maritime trade and grow the blue economy. Port & Logistics Tech: A delegation praised Tianjin Port’s smart, carbon-neutral terminal, highlighting faster cargo handling and cleaner operations—lessons for modern logistics. Construction Materials Supply: GAMGO and GAGO report successful basalt shipments from Cape Verde to boost The Gambia’s infrastructure drive and strengthen road and development works. Electricity Reliability: New grid connections in URR are still plagued by frequent outages, frustrating rural electrification benefits for households and small businesses. Anti-Corruption Push: Gambia Participates says delays in swearing in Anti-Corruption Commission commissioners are slowing implementation of the law. Environment & Land Use: Tanbi Wetland Complex faces growing pressure from reclamation and infrastructure plans, raising flooding and climate-risk concerns for Banjul. Food & Drug Testing: The Chief Justice inspected Bakau courts and a new EU/UNDP-funded judicial complex, while government continues rolling out the country’s first food and drug testing lab. Trade & Industry: ECOWAS ministers backed “mine together, process together” to move minerals into regional industrialisation and value addition.