ActionAid Engages Parliament’s Trade Committee on Bilateral Investment Treaties
AAITG meets Parliamentarians © Askanwi
By Edward Francis Dalliah, Jr.
ActionAid The Gambia (AAITG) held an engagement forum with the National Assembly Select Committee on Trade on Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) on Friday, 22nd May 2026.
The forum, held at the National Assembly in Banjul, brought together key stakeholders to discuss the implications of BITs on trade, investment governance, national development, and public accountability in the Gambia.
The engagement forms part of the organisation’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusive dialogue, strengthen public understanding of investment-related policies, and encourage constructive collaboration between policymakers, civil society organisations, and relevant institutions.
Speaking during the opening session, the Executive Director of AAITG, Ms Ndella Faye-Colley, described the engagement as an important platform to discuss BITs and their impact on national development.
Ms Faye-Colley said, "It is indeed our pleasure as ActionAid to be here to discuss the important topic of Bilateral Investment Treaties.” She explained that BITs are international agreements between countries aimed at promoting and protecting foreign investments under international law.
Ms Faye-Colley said, "These investment treaties grant foreign investors, [whether] companies or individuals, the right to protect their investments and allow them access to investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms to enforce those rights.”
She further highlighted the importance of the National Assembly Select Committee on Trade, describing it as a cornerstone institution in matters relating to bilateral trade agreements and investment governance.
Mrs Ndella Faye-Colley of AAITG © Askanwi
According to the country’s Investment Policy 2018, “Gambia has entered in BITs and is a signatory to other relevant agreements, double taxation, and statutes governing investments.”
Delivering his welcome remarks, the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Buba Jatta, described BITs as an important subject requiring parliamentary attention.
Mr Jatta said, “We are gathered here this morning to discuss a very important matter, Bilateral Investment Treaties. Of course, there is no more appropriate committee to deal with this matter than the Trade Committee.”
He added that BITs have emerged as fundamental instruments of foreign economic policy.
Mr Jatta said, “These treaties are legally binding agreements between two states aimed at promoting, protecting, and facilitating investments. While they are designed to unlock foreign direct investment, stimulate economic growth, and create jobs, they also carry profound long-term legal and financial obligations.”
He noted that the workshop was intended to equip lawmakers with the technical understanding needed to properly scrutinise such agreements.
Hon Members at the engagement © Askanwi
Mr Jatta further highlighted that “no international treaty or bilateral agreement can legally bind the Gambia without [the National Assembly] approval. You are the ultimate gatekeepers of our national sovereignty.”
He urged parliamentarians to rigorously examine investment agreements to ensure they align with the country’s national development priorities.
Adding to the remarks, the Chairperson of the National Assembly Select Committee on Trade, Hon. Kebba Jallow, stressed the importance of ensuring fairness and transparency in international investment agreements.
Hon Jallow said, “As global economies become increasingly interconnected, it is important that investment agreements remain balanced, transparent, and beneficial to all parties involved.” He added that discussions on investment treaties should focus not only on attracting investment but also on promoting sustainable development and mutual prosperity.
The engagement underscored the important role parliamentarians play in scrutinising treaties and agreements signed by the country.
