AGP Executive Report

Central Bank Watch: The Central Bank of The Gambia kept the Monetary Policy Rate at 14% as inflation pressures return, with headline inflation rising to 7.0% in April and food inflation at 6.7%, blamed partly on the Iran war’s knock-on effects. Remittances & FX: CBG Governor Buah Saidy said remittances jumped 17.2% to about US$246.08m (D17.712bn), helping cushion external shocks as the current account deficit widened. Digital Push: GRA boss Yankuba Darboe urged Gambians to embrace digitalisation, linking tech upgrades to faster, higher tax collection. Education Upgrade: The University of Education, The Gambia, launched its first degree programmes, expanding teacher-focused and new specialisations. Jobs & Growth Sectors: Stakeholders validated a report on five priority sectors—agribusiness, construction, ICT/creative tech, green/circular economy, and cultural/creative industries. Infrastructure Momentum: President Barrow continued the Connect Gambia drive, laying road foundations in CRR/URR and ending long waits in Niamina. Regional Energy Skills: VRA Academy in Akuse hosted a clean mini-grid training-of-trainers programme for West African professionals. Sports Diplomacy: TOLAC 2026 wrapped with a MoU between Gambia and the Canary Islands wrestling federations. Global Context: The India-Africa Forum Summit was postponed due to Ebola concerns, but the agenda remains high-stakes for South-South cooperation.

University Expansion: The University of Education The Gambia (UEG) has officially launched its first-ever degree programmes at the Brikama campus, rolling out new undergraduate tracks in teacher-focused sciences, languages, civic education and economics education, plus postgraduate options like M.Ed. Educational Administration and an MSc in Education Management Information Systems. Food Prices Watch: The Central Bank says inflation is rising again, with food inflation at 6.7% as the Iran war pushes up meat, fish, transport, housing and utilities costs, while the policy rate stays at 14%. Jobs & Skills Focus: Stakeholders have validated a report identifying five priority economic sectors—agribusiness, construction, ICT/creative tech, the green/circular economy and cultural/creative industries—aimed at boosting skills and job creation. Infrastructure Momentum: President Barrow continues the Connect Gambia push with major rural road openings and foundation stones, including a 20.5km road in Niamina after decades of delays. Energy Capacity: VRA Academy in Akuse is training ToT teams on clean solar mini-grids to scale renewable power skills across West Africa.

Maritime Security Push: Nigeria’s President Tinubu is set to launch an AU combined maritime task force for the Gulf of Guinea in June, with Gambia among the early participating states, as the AU backs a standing, ready-to-deploy force to curb transnational organised crime. Roads That Finally Move: President Barrow laid the foundation for a 20.5km road in Niamina, ending decades of delays, while his wider Connect Gambia push continues across CRR/URR with major rural road expansion. Sports Diplomacy: TOLAC 2026 wrapped with a MoU between The Gambia and the Canary Islands wrestling federations, aimed at youth development and cultural exchange. Education Upgrade: The University of Education The Gambia unveiled its first-ever degree programmes, expanding specialised teacher training. Energy Skills: VRA Academy in Akuse hosted a clean mini-grid training-of-trainers workshop for regional renewable-energy capacity. Local Business & Jobs: Ongoing debate continues over informal work and barriers to turning activity into decent jobs.

Supreme Court Delay: The economic crime trial of former Lands Minister Sheriff Abba Sanyang hit a snag after the prosecution’s first witness, Yahya Sanyang, died in October 2025—forcing the case to pause as lawyers argue over what can be used after his death. Transitional Justice Backlash: A new analysis says The Gambia’s transitional justice process enriched system insiders more than victims, pointing to large legal spending while many affected people still lack meaningful support. Jobs Pressure: A fresh look at labour shows informality still dominates—especially for women and rural workers—keeping employment insecure and limiting decent work. Connect Gambia Roads: President Adama Barrow continues the rural push, launching and laying foundations for major feeder and paved road projects across URR/CRR to cut isolation and boost market access. Energy Skills Boost: West African trainers are in Akuse for clean mini-grid training-of-trainers, aiming to scale renewable power expertise. Finance & Tax Moves: GRA ramps up transfer pricing capacity with a World Bank-backed mission, while Ojaja targets up to N25bn via commercial paper to fund cocoa trading and retail expansion.

Road Push in URR/CRR: President Adama Barrow is driving “Connect Gambia” with new rural road foundations and a wider push for 1,500km of roads, aiming to end seasonal isolation and cut transport costs for farmers and traders. Fire Safety Gap: In CRR north, youth representatives urged Barrow to station firefighters locally, warning that without a fire service, emergencies could turn “disastrous.” Jobs Reality Check: GBoS warns the formal job crisis is worsening, while a labour report shows informality still dominates employment—especially for women and rural workers—keeping many stuck in low-security work. Food Safety Alarm: A new bread-selling study finds unsafe open sales remain widespread even though public awareness of contamination risks is very high. Finance & Tax Moves: Ojaja targets up to N25bn via commercial paper, while GRA steps up transfer pricing training with ATAF and the World Bank to tackle tax avoidance. Education Upgrade: The University of Education The Gambia launches its first degree programmes, expanding both undergraduate and postgraduate options. Energy Skills: VRA and partners run mini-grid training-of-trainers to grow clean power capacity across West Africa.

Fire Safety Push: In CRR North, youth leader Kebba Touray warned that road expansion is coming with a dangerous gap—there’s no local fire service, so any blaze could “turn disastrous,” as President Barrow lays road foundations and residents welcome new connectivity. Food Safety Alarm: A small bread-seller and consumer study flags a normalized risk: loaves are often sold openly in dusty, fly-prone spots, yet awareness of contamination dangers is very high—meaning unsafe habits persist despite knowing better. Jobs Reality Check: GBoS-linked reporting and labour debate continue to clash with government job claims, with critics pointing to informality dominating work and questioning whether “jobs created” means stable employment or survival activity. Tax Crackdown Training: GRA opened a transfer-pricing technical mission with ATAF and the World Bank to tackle profit shifting by multinationals. Energy Skills Boost: Experts gathered in Akuse for mini-grid training-of-trainers, aiming to scale clean power know-how across West Africa. Drugs Enforcement: DLEAG reported multiple arrests and seizures across communities, including cannabis, crack cocaine, and ecstasy.

Energy Skills Push: VRA Academy has started a 10-day “training of trainers” workshop for 20 energy professionals from Ghana and The Gambia on solar mini-grids, aiming to build local renewable expertise across West Africa. Tax Crackdown: The Gambia Revenue Authority has opened a five-day transfer pricing technical assistance mission with ATAF and the World Bank to help tackle tax avoidance and profit shifting by multinationals. Jobs Debate: A political scientist is challenging the government’s “163,000 jobs created” claim, saying the figures blur survival work and informal activity with real job creation. Infrastructure Momentum: President Adama Barrow continues the Connect Gambia push—launching road projects and earlier road foundations—while residents in URR rally behind the plan to connect remote communities. Public Enterprise Pressure: Kiang West NAM says private sector influence is “killing” public enterprises, pointing to procurement and telecom/aviation decisions. Politics Watch: Dr Ceesay argues past criticism of Barrow shouldn’t define today’s politics as the Unite Movement for Change holds its maiden congress.

Road Push: President Barrow is driving a major “Connect Gambia” push—1500km of roads in total, with fresh launches and foundation stones for feeder links across URR and CRR, aimed at cutting isolation and transport costs for farmers and traders. Tax Crackdown: The Gambia Revenue Authority opened a five-day transfer pricing training to help tackle tax avoidance and illicit financial flows tied to multinational firms. Ports Deal: Damen Shipyards signed with Türkiye’s Albayrak Group for two new ASD tugs, with towage work planned for Conakry and Pointe-Noire. Governance Debate: A global governance report warns of “future shock” risks as democratic accountability slips and state capacity plateaus. Health & Food Security: A new global study links food-based prenatal supplements (energy and protein) to better birth outcomes, while school feeding and fisheries data support continue to expand. Drugs Enforcement: DLEAG reported multiple arrests and seizures of cannabis, crack cocaine, ecstasy and other suspected drugs.

Security Update: A joint US–Nigerian operation carried out new airstrikes in Borno’s Metele area, killing more than 20 ISWAP militants, with AFRICOM saying no personnel were harmed and that the strikes aim to disrupt planning and deny safe havens. Local Enforcement: In The Gambia, DLEAG reported multiple drug arrests across several communities, including a Senegalese national at Kerr Jatta checkpoint and suspects linked to cannabis, crack cocaine, skunk, hashish and ecstasy seizures. Infrastructure Push: President Adama Barrow launched major “Connect Gambia” road works in CRR and URR—781 km of paved all-weather roads—plus a newly built mosque in URR, framing the projects as development driven by domestic resources. Finance & Business: FirstBank (Nigeria) and Visa announced Visa Signature for premium customers, while Wave Mobile Money reiterated its push for broader financial inclusion. Politics & Debate: UNITE held its maiden congress, and a political scientist challenged the government’s “163,000 jobs created” claim as lacking clear job-type breakdowns.

Drug Crackdown: DLEAG made fresh arrests across The Gambia, including a Senegalese national at Kerr Jatta checkpoint and multiple suspects in Jambanjelly, with seizures ranging from cannabis (including skunk/hashish) to crack cocaine and ecstasy-linked pills. Roads & Rural Access: President Adama Barrow pushed ahead with the Connect Gambia Initiative, launching major road works in URR and CRR—781 km of paved all-weather roads funded domestically—aimed at cutting transport costs and opening markets for farmers. Infrastructure Accountability: Auditors flagged a D16m+ groundnut trade shortfall after a nationwide reconciliation, citing thousands of kilograms of paid-for groundnuts not fully accounted for. Internet Debate: Starlink’s Gambia prospects are being weighed against national security concerns, with critics also pointing to the country’s high cost of data and slow fixed broadband. Politics & Voices: UNITE held its maiden congress and elected a new executive ahead of 2026 polls, while an open letter demands a public apology over alleged defamatory Jammeh-assets reporting. Finance & Cards: FirstBank and Visa expanded premium offerings with the Visa Signature launch, signaling a push toward higher-end card benefits.

AfCON Draw Day: The D-Day draw for the road to AfCON PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers is set for Tuesday, May 18 in Cairo, splitting 48 teams into 12 groups of four, with the top two in each group qualifying—while Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are guaranteed host spots, leaving only one extra qualifier per host group. Climate Diplomacy: African parliamentarians wrapped a Nairobi seminar pushing a united continental position on climate and methane talks, arguing financing and targets must match Africa’s development and food-security realities. Food Security Push: The Gambia is moving on school feeding scale-up and fisheries support—US-backed school meals now reach 101,669 learners, and FAO donated tablets to help fisheries extension workers collect and manage data faster. Co-ops for Growth: Government launched a National Cooperative Policy (2021–2030) to modernize cooperatives and strengthen their role in agriculture, rural jobs and price stability. Digital Finance: Wave reaffirmed its push for financial inclusion, citing limited formal access and expanding its agent network nationwide.

AfCON Qualifier Draw: The D-day for the AfCON PAMOJA 2027 group qualifiers is set for Tuesday, May 18 in Cairo, with 48 teams split into 12 groups and the top two from each group booking finals spots. Climate Push in Nairobi: African parliamentarians meeting in Nairobi backed a stronger “one voice” approach on climate and methane talks, arguing financing must match Africa’s development and food security realities. School Feeding Momentum: The U.S.-backed McGovern-Dole programme is scaling up in The Gambia, reaching 101,669 learners daily with hot meals, while officials push for a more nationally led, sustainable system. Fisheries Data Upgrade: FAO has donated tablets to Gambian fisheries extension workers to speed up field data collection and improve monitoring. Co-ops for Food Security: Government launched a new National Cooperative Policy (2021–2030), aiming to modernise cooperatives and strengthen their role in agriculture and rural growth. Wave Boosts Inclusion: Wave says it’s expanding mobile money access, citing limited formal finance uptake and growing agent networks.

Climate Diplomacy: African parliamentarians wrapped up a Nairobi seminar pledging a united front on climate and methane talks, pushing for financing and rules that match Africa’s development, food security and national realities. Food Security Push: The government says school meals are a long-term investment, with the US USDA McGovern‑Dole programme feeding tens of thousands daily and expanding coverage across public ECD and lower basic schools. Fisheries Data Upgrade: FAO donated tablets to Gambia’s fisheries extension workers to speed up digital data collection and improve monitoring. Co-ops for Stability: A new National Cooperative Policy (2021–2030) aims to modernise cooperatives to boost farming, governance and rural growth, while addressing leadership problems. Labour Market Gains: A fresh labour report points to big improvements—employment up by 163,000+ and unemployment down to 6.2%. Digital Finance: Wave is doubling down on financial inclusion, citing low formal access and expanding its agent network. Entertainment & Sports: Jizzle drops “Heavy Weight,” while Sundowns lean on striker Brayan Leon ahead of the CAF final first leg.

Entertainment & Youth Culture: Gambian rapper Jizzle is back in the spotlight with “Heavy Weight,” a new song and video that’s already sparking online replay and fan talk about possible coded lyrics. Local Music Scene: SKELTA is also being highlighted as one of The Gambia’s rising drill voices, with a second album expected in 2026. Sports (CAF Champions League): Mamelodi Sundowns are leaning on Colombian striker Brayan Leon as a “trump card” for the first-leg final against FAR Rabat on 17 May, with Leon in sharp scoring form. Trade & Diplomacy: The India-Africa Forum Summit heads to New Delhi on 31 May, focused on innovation, resilience, and inclusive transformation. Gambia Development: FAO has donated tablets to help fisheries extension workers collect and manage data digitally, while the U.S.-backed school feeding push continues to reach tens of thousands of learners daily. Food Security & Markets: A fresh debate on fish scarcity points to fuel costs and storage limits, while cooperatives are again framed as key to stabilising food supply and prices.

India-Africa Deal Push: New Delhi will host the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit on May 31, with senior and foreign ministers’ meetings set for May 28-29, under the theme IA-SPIRIT focused on innovation, resilience and inclusive transformation—continuing India’s long-running lines of credit and project delivery across the continent. Gambia–China Knowledge Links: A seminar at the University of The Gambia brought academics, journalists and professionals together to deepen Africa–China cooperation beyond trade, including peace, climate, food security and governance. Fisheries Data Upgrade: FAO donated tablets to help Gambia’s fisheries extension workers collect and manage data faster and more accurately. School Meals Momentum: Government says it is targeting universal school meals by 2030, with the US USDA McGovern-Dole programme already feeding tens of thousands daily. Co-ops for Food Security: The government launched a National Cooperative Policy (2021–2030), stressing cooperatives as key to stabilising prices and strengthening rural livelihoods. Fisheries Pressure: A fresh debate on fish scarcity points to fuel costs and cold-storage gaps alongside deeper structural strain. Wave Financial Inclusion: Wave reiterated its push to expand mobile money access, citing low formal finance uptake and growing agent networks.

Africa–China Knowledge Push: A new Africa–China seminar at the University of The Gambia brought academics, journalists and professionals together to deepen cooperation on peace, climate, food security and governance beyond trade. Fisheries Tech Upgrade: FAO donated tablets to The Gambia’s fisheries extension workers to speed up digital data collection and improve monitoring and reporting. School Meals Drive: Vice President Muhammad B.S. Jallow says universal school feeding is a “strategic investment,” with the US USDA McGovern-Dole programme already reaching 63,000 children daily in 186 schools. Customs & Trade Boost: China’s embassy counselor met GRA officials to expand training and provided CT baggage scanners to strengthen border security and trade facilitation. Politics & Dialogue: Dr Ceesay urged that past criticism of President Barrow shouldn’t define today’s politics, arguing alliances can shift. Regional Watch: EEPA reported US and UN/AU moves on peace efforts in Sudan/Ethiopia/South Sudan, while Senegal’s Casamance sees renewed cannabis crackdowns near the Gambian border. Labour Market Signal: The Gambia’s latest labour report points to job growth and lower unemployment, alongside ongoing youth employment pressure.