Economic Deep Dive: The Diminishing Tourism Sector
Dr Ousman Gajigo observes that Tourists staying in Gambian hotels are increasingly crossing into Senegal for nature and cultural experiences that should be found at home, exposing a costly leakage in the country’s tourism economy.
From the neglect of Abuko Nature Reserve and Sindola Safari Park to poor integration with agriculture and local communities, government inaction has left the sector shallow and enclave-driven, argues Dr Gajigo.
As arrivals become the sole metric of success, the deeper value of tourism—jobs, linkages, and shared prosperity—continues to diminish. More in this opinion piece.
Economic Deep Dive: Groundnut Farmers Deserve Better
After the government issued a statement setting the price of groundnut at D38,000 per tonne and creating a monopoly on Gambian groundnuts, numerous critics highlighted that the price has remained stagnant for three years while the cost of living continues to increase.
One critic, Dr Gajigo, has followed this up with a publication calling for a wake-up call for a national discussion on the price of groundnuts for farmers. He argues, “There are many reasons why” this year’s “price is extremely low given the Gambian context.”
Find out his reasons in this opinion piece.
Economic Deep Dive: Government’s Groundnut Price is Too Low
The Gambian government’s decision to set the 2025/2026 groundnut purchase price at D38,000 per tonne has sparked criticism from agricultural economist Dr. Ousman Gajigo, who says the rate leaves farmers underpaid and accelerates the steady collapse of groundnut production. More in this expert opinion.
Economic Deep Dive: Vegetable Gardening, The Forgotten Agriculture
Across the country, women gardeners continue to coax life out of parched soils and ageing wells, yet their contribution to national food security barely registers in official planning. Vegetable gardening remains the forgotten pillar of Gambian agriculture. More in this opinion piece.
Economic Deep Dive: Failure in Agriculture and the Forgotten Groundnut Farmers
Dr. Ousman Gajigo provides a detailed and investigative look into the challenges facing The Gambia’s agriculture sector, following visits to several regions where he observed firsthand how farmers are struggling amid the sector’s decline. More in this revealing report.
Economic Deep Dive: A Government not Serious about Agriculture
Dr Ousman Gajigo exposes how The Gambia’s agriculture is failing—not from drought or poor seeds, but from government neglect. While farmers wait for payments and tractors stuck in shady deals, officials blame the weather. Meanwhile, aflatoxin chokes exports and political allies profit. The sector isn’t dying; it’s being killed by incompetence and graft. More in this expert editorial.
Economic Deep Dive: Addressing Agriculture and Appreciating Women
This past weekend, 8th March was International Women Day. The fact this day falls in the middle of the vegetable growing season provides an important opportunity to demonstrate a real appreciation of the important role of women in our economy. In the Gambia today, more than 90% of the vegetable production and marketing are done by women. Yet this horticultural sector remains highly neglected.
Economic Reality versus the Central Bank
The Central Bank announced new Inflation statistics at the end of August 2024 claiming a deceleration in Inflation, now Economist Dr Gajigo opines that their report does not reflect reality in the economy.
Economic Deep Dive: Rice Self-Sufficiency is Achievable Under the Right Leadership
Seasoned economist and agribusiness entrepreneur, Dr Ousman Gagigo has written an insightful publication on rice self-sufficiency which he believes cannot be achieved with the current policy being implemented by the Government.
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