AGP Executive Report

Banking Jobs & Compliance: The Gambia Central Bank has ordered commercial banks—including Access Bank, GTBank, FirstBank, Ecobank and Zenith—to phase out non-Gambian staff and replace them with qualified Gambians by Dec 31, 2026, citing Labour Act 2023 and expatriate staffing guideline breaches. Power Crisis Hits Industry: Prolonged blackouts are crippling Gambian businesses, with fish traders in Tanji struggling to store catches as ice supplies run out and protests flare ahead of the December election. Regional Competition Push: ECOWAS Competition Authority urged fairer competition and deeper market integration, calling competition policy “integral” to regional economic growth at its conference in Bijilo. Skills for Youth: Africell Impact Foundation launched a Robotics Club in Fajara after six months of free training for nine young Gambians. Trade & Logistics: Maersk opened a 1,500 TEU container depot in Kribi, Cameroon, boosting West African supply-chain capacity. Energy Access (Regional): Solad says it’s accelerating Solar Home System deployment in Nigeria, supporting wider distributed renewable electricity access.

Banking Jobs & Localisation: The Gambia Central Bank has ordered commercial banks—including Access Bank, GTBank, FirstBank, Ecobank and Zenith—to phase out non-Gambian staff and replace them with qualified Gambians by Dec 31, 2026, with skills transfer and no disruption to operations. Power Crisis Impacting Trade: Prolonged blackouts are hitting livelihoods hard, with businesses and hospitals forced onto generators and fish vendors in Tanji struggling to store catches as ice supplies run out. Skills for Industry: Africell Impact Foundation launched a Robotics Club in Fajara after six months of free training for nine young Gambians, aiming to widen access to tech skills. Regional Competition Policy: The ECOWAS Competition Authority urged fairer competition and deeper market integration, highlighting how competition rules can boost investor confidence and consumer choice across West Africa. Logistics & Trade Links: Maersk opened a 1,500 TEU container depot in Kribi, Cameroon, adding temperature-controlled handling and customs clearance to ease West African logistics bottlenecks. Sports & Youth Development (Local Angle): Gambia’s Alieu Touray returned to the national fold for AFCON qualifiers, adding experience as the team prepares for matches against Somalia and Ghana.

Banking Workforce Push: The Gambia Central Bank has ordered commercial banks—including Access Bank, GTBank, FirstBank, Ecobank and Zenith—to phase out non-Gambian staff by December 31, 2026, warning of fines for breaches of the Labour Act and expatriate staffing rules. Regional Competition Agenda: ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) urged fairer competition and deeper market integration across West Africa at its annual conference in Bijilo, stressing that competitive markets build investor confidence and consumer choice. Power Crisis Hitting Trade: Prolonged blackouts since June are crippling Gambian businesses, with fish traders in Tanji unable to store catches due to lack of ice, while hospitals and households struggle with unreliable generators and disrupted water supply. Energy, Jobs, and Cost of Living: Independent presidential hopeful Ousman N.L. Njie cited energy shortages, high living costs, insecurity and corruption as key reasons for contesting the December 2026 election. Agri-Food Security Focus: A call for more local fertiliser production and agroecology highlights community composting and urges government support for training, extension services and financing for farmers and local producers.

Power & Business Impact in The Gambia: Prolonged blackouts since June are hitting livelihoods hard, with fish traders in Tanji unable to store catches due to lack of ice, while businesses shut, hospitals rely on unreliable generators, and water supply is cut in some areas. Energy & Investment Signals: LECON Finance (BOI Group) received ‘B’ long-term and ‘B’ short-term ratings from S&P Global, highlighting confidence in its leasing growth. Telecom Expansion: Africell secured a $99.6m EXIM Bank loan to upgrade mobile network technology in Angola, with spillover relevance for regional connectivity including The Gambia. Agri-Food Security Push: A call is growing for more local fertiliser production and agroecology, using community composting models to cut dependence on imported inputs. ECOWAS Diplomacy: President Adama Barrow met ECOWAS Commission chief General Birame Diop, focusing on security, trade, energy, governance and regional integration. Regional Trade/Logistics: Conakry Terminal targets over 1 million containers annually by 2029-2030 as port congestion and capacity constraints drive expansion.

Telecom Investment: EXIM Bank approved a $99.6m loan to Africell for an Angola network upgrade, aiming to expand coverage, boost reliability, and bring in more US technology. Power Crisis Impact: Gambian businesses and households are still reeling from prolonged blackouts since June, with fish traders in Tanji unable to store catches due to missing ice, while hospitals and markets struggle with generators and water cuts. Agri & Food Security: A push for local fertiliser production and agroecology is gaining momentum, highlighting community composting and the need for training, research, extension services, and farmer financing. Competition & Consumer Protection: The Gambia hosted an ECOWAS competition policy conference on market integration, while local regulators also flagged concerns over education fees, hidden charges, and refund rules. Regional Governance: President Barrow met ECOWAS Commission head Birame Diop, discussing security, trade, energy, and sustainable development. Energy/Policy Debate: Independent presidential hopeful Ousman N.L. Njie cited energy supply, cost of living, farmer hardship, and public spending concerns in his December 2026 bid. Logistics Watch: Conakry Terminal (Guinea) targets over 1m containers annually by 2029-30 as services and capacity expand.

Telecom Investment: Africell secured a $99.6m EXIM Bank direct loan to upgrade Angola’s mobile network with advanced technology, boosting coverage and reliability and strengthening US commercial ties. Power & Fisheries Shock: Prolonged blackouts are hitting Gambian businesses hard, with Tanji fish vendors unable to store catches due to empty ice boxes, rising ice costs, shuttered shops, and unreliable hospital generators. Agri & Food Security: A push for local fertiliser production and agroecology is gaining momentum, arguing for community organic fertiliser, training, extension support, and financing to cut dependence on imported inputs. Regional Trade Rules: The Gambia hosted an ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority conference, focusing on competition policy and market integration to reduce cross-border barriers and protect consumers. Politics & Energy Concerns: Independent presidential hopeful Ousman N.L. Njie flagged unemployment, cost of living, corruption, and unreliable energy supply as key campaign issues.

Power & Food Security: Gambian businesses and livelihoods are being hit hard by prolonged blackouts since June, with fish vendors in Tanji unable to store catches due to missing ice, rising costs, shuttered shops, and unreliable hospital generators—fueling protests ahead of December’s election. Competition & Consumer Protection: The National Assembly advanced a new Competition and Consumer Protection Bill to modernise rules, set up an independent Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and tackle unfair practices, misleading claims, and defective goods. Investment Incentives: The GIEPA Amendment Bill proposes raising the foreign investment incentive threshold to US$500,000 and expanding GIEPA’s role in facilitating cross-border trade, plus changes to what counts as capital goods. Agro-Industry: A push for local fertiliser production and agroecology highlights community composting and calls for government support on training, research, extension services, and financing to strengthen food security. Regional Integration: ECOWAS Commission President Birame Diop met President Adama Barrow in Banjul, with talks on security, trade, energy, governance, and sustainable development. Sports & National Pride: Gambia defender Ibou Touray earned another AFCON qualifier call-up for matches against Somalia and Ghana, adding experience to the squad.

Power & Business Impact: Gambian businesses are struggling as prolonged blackouts since June keep fish, shops and services running on empty—ice supplies have collapsed in Tanji’s biggest landing site, forcing vendors to dump catch and cutting hospital and water reliability. Investment & Trade Policy: The National Assembly advanced a Competition and Consumer Protection Bill to curb unfair business practices and strengthen consumer remedies, while a GIEPA Amendment Bill would raise the foreign investment incentive threshold to US$500,000 and expand GIEPA’s role in cross-border trade. Agriculture & Food Security: A push for agroecology and local fertiliser production is gaining momentum, with calls for community composting scale-up plus training, research, extension and financing for local fertiliser producers. Regional Integration: President Barrow met ECOWAS Commission chief General Birame Diop, urging strong diplomacy and communication to protect democracy, security, trade and energy cooperation across West Africa. Presidential Politics: Ousman N.L. Njie announced an independent bid for December 2026, citing unemployment, cost of living, insecurity, corruption and energy supply concerns. Port & Logistics (Region): Conakry Terminal targets over 1 million containers annually by 2029-2030, highlighting fast-growing West African container demand.

Power & Business Disruption: Prolonged blackouts are hitting Gambian livelihoods hard, with businesses shuttering, hospitals relying on unreliable generators, and fish traders in Tanji facing rotting catches as ice supplies run out. Regional Integration & Security: President Adama Barrow met ECOWAS Commission chief General Birame Diop in Banjul, urging diplomacy and effective communication as the bloc tackles security, trade, energy, and governance. Competition & Consumer Protection: The National Assembly advanced a new Competition and Consumer Protection Bill to curb unfair business practices and modernise enforcement, while a separate push targets unfair education-sector fees, hidden charges, and rigid refund rules. Investment Incentives: The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) Amendment Bill would raise the foreign investment incentive threshold to US$500,000 and expand GIEPA’s role in cross-border trade facilitation. Agriculture & Food Security: A call is growing for more local fertiliser production and agroecology, including community composting, training, research, and financing to cut reliance on imported inputs. Tourism Linkages: The Gambia is seeking deeper tourism cooperation with Nigeria, pushing for stronger commercial partnerships beyond goodwill. Education Finance: The government-backed Students Revolving Loan Scheme is set to open applications on Sept 15, offering interest-free tuition support for students at four public universities.

Power & Business Impact: Prolonged blackouts are hitting Gambian firms hard, with Tanji fish traders reporting empty ice boxes, rotting catches, shuttered businesses, and rising costs as outages stretch from hours to days. Competition & Consumer Protection: The National Assembly advanced a new Competition and Consumer Protection Bill to curb unfair business practices and strengthen consumer remedies, while the GCCPC is pushing schools to be clearer on fees, hidden charges, and refund rules. Investment Climate: The GIEPA Amendment Bill would raise the foreign investment incentive threshold to US$500,000 and expand GIEPA’s role in facilitating cross-border trade. Agroecology & Food Security: A push for local fertiliser production and agroecological farming is gaining momentum to cut reliance on imported inputs and improve soil health. Regional Integration: ECOWAS competition policy talks are underway in The Gambia, and President Barrow met the ECOWAS Commission chief on security, trade, energy, and governance. Tourism Links: The Gambia is urging deeper Nigeria–Gambia tourism partnerships at Akwaaba to drive more Nigerian visitors and business deals.

Electricity Crisis Hits Industry: Prolonged blackouts are crippling businesses and livelihoods in The Gambia, with fish traders in Tanji losing income as ice supplies run out and catches rot; hospitals and water supply are also disrupted, and the unrest has spilled into vandalism and arrests. Public Order Measures: After violent anti-government protests linked to power cuts, the police chief has banned demonstrations without permits, warning that violations will be met with force and noting attacks on NAWEC branches. Competition & Consumer Rules: The National Assembly advanced a new Competition and Consumer Protection Bill to modernise enforcement and curb unfair business practices, while a separate GIEPA Amendment Bill proposes raising the foreign investment incentive threshold to US$500,000. Tourism Trade Push: The Gambia is seeking deeper business ties with Nigeria’s tourism sector, urging Nigerian operators to drive more arrivals and partnerships. Creative Sector Protection: Parliament ratified the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, a boost for performers’ rights—though implementation will decide whether artists actually benefit. Education Financing: The government launched a Students Revolving Loan Scheme with interest-free tuition support for students at four public universities.

Competition & Consumer Protection: The National Assembly advanced a new Competition and Consumer Protection Bill to replace older laws, aiming to curb unfair business practices and strengthen consumer remedies, with the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission set to investigate, hear cases, and impose penalties. Regional Market Rules: Gambia hosted an ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority conference in Bijilo, with Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow stressing that fair competition and market integration are key to unlocking West Africa’s growth. Investment Incentives: The GIEPA Amendment Bill would raise the minimum foreign investment incentive threshold for new enterprises to US$500,000 and expand GIEPA’s role in facilitating cross-border trade. Education Costs: A GCCPC review highlights concerns over school fees, hidden charges, compulsory purchases, and refund policies—pushing schools and parents toward clearer, fairer enrolment terms. Power Crisis & Public Order: After violent protests tied to prolonged blackouts, Gambia’s police chief banned unauthorised demonstrations without permits, with arrests reported and NAWEC branches damaged. Tourism & Business Links: The Gambia’s tourism minister urged deeper Nigeria–Gambia industry partnerships at Lagos’s Akwaaba Travel Market, seeking more Nigerian visitors and stronger commercial ties. Students Financing: The government launched a Students Revolving Loan Scheme with interest-free tuition support for eligible students at four public universities, starting applications mid-September.

Electricity & Public Order: Gambia’s police chief Seedy Mukhtar Touray banned all unauthorised protests after violent unrest tied to prolonged power cuts, saying no one may gather or demonstrate without a permit and warning violators will face force; authorities also reported arrests over vandalism and NAWEC branch closures. Cement & Power Costs: MPs urged lower electricity and utility charges for Salaam Cement, arguing unreliable, costly power is pushing up cement prices; the firm says it relies on generators and pays commercial tariffs. Student Finance: The government launched its first Students Revolving Loan Scheme, with interest-free loans covering tuition at UTG, USET, UEG and CSU; the first application window runs Sept. 15–30. Creative Industry Rights: The National Assembly ratified the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, a boost for performers’ legal protection and fair compensation, but with implementation now the key test. Tourism Trade Links: The Gambia’s tourism minister Abdoulie Jobe urged deeper Nigeria–Gambia business partnerships at Lagos’ Akwaaba Travel Market, pushing for more Nigerian visitors. Agriculture Health Risk: A regional study flagged high rates of unintentional pesticide poisoning among farmers, with Gambia also affected.

Telecom & Security: The U.S. Export-Import Bank approved a $99.6m loan for Africell to expand mobile network equipment in Angola using American and allied suppliers, positioning the operator as part of Washington’s push to reduce reliance on Huawei across Africa. Power & Public Order: In The Gambia, police banned unauthorised protests after violent demonstrations over prolonged blackouts and heat-related unrest, with tear gas used to disperse crowds and reports of attacks on NAWEC branches and arrests. Industry & Energy Costs: MPs urged lower power and utility costs for Salaam Cement, saying unreliable, costly electricity is driving up cement prices even as the company ramps up local production. Tourism Trade Links: The Gambia’s tourism minister, Abdoulie Jobe, asked Nigerian travel stakeholders for deeper business partnerships and more Nigerian visitors, pitching tourism as a route to stronger commercial ties. Education Finance: The Gambia launched its first government-backed Students Revolving Loan Scheme, with the first application window opening Sept. 15–30 for interest-free tuition support at selected public universities. Air Cargo Partnership: ECS Group and Air Senegal marked seven years of cargo cooperation, supporting freight flows across Europe and into regional destinations including Banjul.

Electricity & Protests Crackdown: Gambia’s police chief Seedy Mukhtar Touray has banned all unauthorised demonstrations without permits after violent anti-government protests over prolonged blackouts, including tear gas use and attacks on NAWEC branches; 11 people were arrested over vandalism. Power Costs Hit Industry: MPs urged lower electricity and utility charges for Salaam Cement, saying unreliable, costly power is pushing up cement prices; the firm says it relies on generators and pays commercial tariffs despite local manufacturing. Student Finance Boost: The government is launching its first Students Revolving Loan Scheme, with the first application window opening Sept. 15–30, covering tuition at four public universities with interest-free loans. Tourism Trade Push (Gambia–Nigeria): Tourism Minister Abdoulie Jobe told Nigerian stakeholders at Lagos’ Akwaaba Travel Market that The Gambia wants more Nigerian visitors and stronger business partnerships. Telecom Investment Signal: Africell’s U.S.-backed $99.6m loan aims to expand American tech in Africa, with Africell operating in Angola, DRC, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. Agriculture Health Warning: A regional study flags high rates of unintentional pesticide poisoning among farmers, with The Gambia reported at 51.5%. Coastal Farming Pressure: Gambian rice farmers along the Bintang Bolong estuary are retreating inland as saltwater intrusion damages yields, forcing changes in how they protect fields. Border/Local Land Dispute: Bulock youth leaders reject claims that a military barracks fence land belongs to Senegal, pointing to colonial boundary pillars.

Education Finance: The Gambia is rolling out its first government-backed Students Revolving Loan Scheme (SRLS), with interest-free loans for tuition at UTG, USET, UEG and CSU; applications open Sept 15 and close Sept 30, while private universities and TVET are not covered in the first phase. Power & Public Order: After violent protests over prolonged blackouts, Gambia’s police chief Seedy Mukhtar Touray banned demonstrations without permits, citing tear gas use, vandalism and arrests tied to the unrest. Energy Costs for Industry: MPs urged lower power and utility costs for Salaam Cement, saying unreliable electricity and commercial tariffs are pushing up cement prices. Telecoms Investment: US Export-Import Bank approved about $99.6m in loans for Africell to expand mobile networks using American and allied equipment—Africell operates in Angola, DRC, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. Tourism Push: Gambia’s tourism minister Abdoulie Jobe told Nigerian industry stakeholders the country wants more Nigerians to visit for business and leisure, aligning tourism growth with partnerships. Agriculture & Health: A regional study flags high rates of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning among farmers, with The Gambia at 51.5% and Nigeria at 69%.