D2 Billion National Food Security Corporation Proposed by Parliamentarian

The National Food Security Corporation Bill 2025 is currently facing parliamentary review and was tabled in Parliament for consideration on 3rd March 2026.

The bill proposes the establishment of the National Food Security Corporation, commencing with a value of D1 billion, which was doubled after a member’s recommendation.

More in this parliamentary report.

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Bureau de Change Murder Trial: Court Admits Autopsy Report Despite Defence Objection

The trial over the murder of Bureau de Change staff member Fatoumatta Kargbo took a decisive turn on Tuesday, 3rd March 2026, when the High Court in Banjul admitted the post-mortem report into evidence, overruling strong objections from the defence.

Suspect Harouna Tine could face the death penalty or life in prison if found guilty of stabbing Karbo to death in a killing that has left the nation in shock.

More in the court report.

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Budget Update Delayed as Finance Minister Seeks Last-Minute Travel Approval

The Gambia’s Finance Minister, Hon. Seedy S. Keita's last-minute request to postpone his scheduled parliamentary budget update has been approved by Parliament, allowing him to travel out of the country instead of reporting to Parliament yesterday, 2nd March 2026.

More in our detailed publication featuring the Clerk and the Speaker.

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NAWEC: Ramadan Load Shedding Announced as Country Pushes for Universal Electricity Access

The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) has announced the implementation of “minimal load shedding” across parts of the country due to exceptionally high electricity demand during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Christian Lenten season, a development that has renewed concerns about The Gambia’s limited electricity generation capacity amid the government’s push for universal access by the end of 2026.

More in this report.

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Cement Duty Returns After December 2025 Shortages

The Gambia’s Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Hon. Mod K. Ceesay, has issued a press statement announcing that the cement excise duty will be reinstated from D30 to D180 per 50 kg bag, effective 1st February 2026.

More in the publication.

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Min. of Trade Imposes Moratorium on Onions and Potatoes, Reinstates Cement Duties

The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, under the leadership of newly sworn-in Minister Hon. Mod K. Ceesay, has issued a series of press releases announcing the moratorium on onions and potatoes and the reinstatement of excise duties on the importation of bagged cement.

More in the press release.

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Reparations Commission Announces Commencement of Reparations Payments

The Gambia’s Reparation Commission has issued a statement announcing the commencement of the Reparations Commission.

The Commission received D17.5 million from the government in late 2025, which it is yet to completely disburse. This year [2026], D20 million has been approved for reparations payment, the same as last year.

More in the Commission’s statement.

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After Askanwi Spotlight, All Telecoms Fall in Line With D75 Data Cap

The first week of 2026 began on a positive note for Askanwi Media after it blew the whistle on telecom operators for failing to comply with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) D75 per 1GB price ceiling, announced on 19th December 2025.

Follow Askanwi’s week-long advocacy journalism for the reduction of data prices under the price floor, which featured interviews with PURA and Gamcel.

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After Askanwi Exposé, Africell and QCell Cut Data Prices as Gamcel Remains in Breach

After Askanwi blew the whistle yesterday, 6th January 2026, Africell and QCell revised their data tariffs from D130 to D65 per 1GB. This leaves Gamcel as the only telecom operator still charging D130 per 1GB—D55 above the price ceiling set by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).

Our reporter spoke to PURA and Gamcel about the lack of compliance and if customers will be refunded for overcharging during the first six days of 2026.

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IMF Disburses US$38.15M as Gambia Remains at High Risk of Debt Distress

Last week, The Gambia’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA) announced that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had approved the immediate disbursement of US$38.15 million [equivalent to D2.78 billion]. In its announcement, MoFEA did not indicate that the disbursements are loans or outline their conditions. After an engagement with the IMF last week, we can reveal the conditions of the loans in this feature publication.

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Speaker Matches VP’s Salary as NAMs Overtake Ministers After 50% Pay Rise

The Speaker of the National Assembly will now earn the same basic salary as the Vice President, while all 54 Parliamentarians will take home more than most Cabinet Ministers under a new 50% pay raise approved by the Sixth Legislature. The increases, which will cost taxpayers an additional D18.5 million in basic salaries alone, come alongside expanded allowances and a separate gratuity bill that could further raise Parliament’s compensation package in 2026.
More in the report.

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Barrow Government Under Fire as UDP Demands Fair Groundnut Prices

The Barrow government is facing sharp criticism from the opposition UDP following its decision to maintain the groundnut price at D38,000 per tonne, with the party accusing the administration of abandoning farmers and refusing to offer fair compensation for their produce. More in this presser.

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Government Fixes Groundnut Price at D38,000, Grants NFSPMC Exclusive Buying Rights

The Government of The Gambia has fixed the purchase price of groundnuts at D38,000 per metric tonne for the 2025/2026 trade season and granted the National Food Security Processing and Marketing Corporation (NFSPMC) exclusive rights to buy and export groundnuts during the first three months of the season, the Ministry of Agriculture announced. More in the news report.

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EU Supports The Gambia’s Secondary Education With D1.7 Billion Five Year Grant

The European Union and the Government of The Gambia have signed a Financing Agreement for the programme “EU Support to Improve Secondary Education for The Youth (EU-ISEY)”. The new programme, worth approx. 1.7 billion dalasi (20 million euros), aims at improving Senior Secondary Education completion rates while reducing the gender and socioeconomic inequalities in educational attainment in The Gambia, especially in rural areas. More in the press release.

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World Bank Approves $45m (D3.3b) Grant to Fund Recovery-Focused Development Plan (2023 to 2027)

The World Bank issued a statement announcing that it has approved a $45 million grant (D3.3 billion) to support President Adama Barrow’s Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (2023 to 2027). The grant aims to support the Government of The Gambia’s efforts to enhance domestic revenue mobilisation and lay key infrastructure, regulatory and skill foundations for private sector development, and strengthen climate resilience. More in the press release.

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Sub-Saharan Africa Maintains Resilient Growth but Faces Urgent Jobs Challenge

Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy remains resilient, with growth projected to reach 3.8 percent in 2025, up from 3.5 percent in 2024. This acceleration reflects easing inflationary pressures and a modest recovery of investment despite persistent global economic uncertainty. More in this publication.

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Yonna Group, Gamcel, Gamtel, Business Economy Askanwi Gambia Yonna Group, Gamcel, Gamtel, Business Economy Askanwi Gambia

YCell: Is Yonna Group Preparing to Unveil its Takeover of Gamcel with a Rebrand?

The Government’s efforts to privatize Gamtel and outrightly sell Gamcel has been shrouded in mystery for years now. Our reporter took this picture today, 30th September 2025 of a building previously occupied by Yonna Group at Kololi Tavern. The sign is clearly showing Y Cell with a long sign board still covered. More in this news report.

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GRA, Revenue, Taxes, Business Economy, Budget Askanwi Gambia GRA, Revenue, Taxes, Business Economy, Budget Askanwi Gambia

GRA Collects Over D15.6 Billion in Seven Months, Beating Revenue Target

The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has surpassed its tax revenue target for the first seven months of 2025 by more than D2.1 billion, collecting over D15.6 billion. This announcement was made by GRA Commissioner General, Mr. Yankuba Darboe, during his appearance on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez on Monday, 11th August 2025. More in the news report.

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