Just hours after President Adama Barrow assured the National Assembly of his government’s efforts to ease the cost of living in his 2025 State of the Nation Address, the Ministry of Trade announced a bread price hike—from D10 to D12—effective July. The decision follows consultations with bakers and consumer protection authorities, as the country continues to grapple with inflationary pressures on basic goods. More in the publication.

In a thrilling celebration of literacy and youth empowerment, Ridwanuallah Olaniyi of Almadina School emerged victorious at the 2025 WorldLand Africa Inter-Schools Contest, held on 14th June at the Babucarr O. Joof Conference Centre in Brikama. Organised in honour of the Day of the African Child, the event brought together students from across The Gambia to compete in spelling, word construction, and vocabulary mastery under the theme “Fostering Reading Culture Towards Human Capital and Global Development.” More in the report.

The Central Bank of The Gambia’s hopes of bringing inflation under control in 2025 are facing renewed setbacks, despite current signs of progress. While headline inflation eased to 8.1% in April from 10.2% in early 2025, the lowest rate since early 2023, it remains significantly above the Bank’s medium-term target of 5%, underscoring persistent price pressures and structural vulnerabilities in the economy. More in the report.

The Gambia’s economy grew by 5.3 percent in 2024, fuelled by gains in the services and industrial sectors, according to the Central Bank’s latest monetary policy update. However, Governor Buah Saidy warned that persistent core inflation and global trade uncertainties continue to pose significant risks to the country’s economic stability. More in the report.

President Adama Barrow has officially launched The Gambia Madrassah Integration Strategy (GMIS), a landmark initiative aimed at bridging the gap between Islamic and conventional education systems. Unveiled at a high-level ceremony in Bijilo, the strategy promises to provide equal learning opportunities for students in Madrassahs, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in today’s evolving economy. More in the report.

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2025 — The World Bank has approved $52.6 million in financing for The Gambia to improve transport and energy infrastructure access in select areas and strengthen institutional capacity for service delivery. The project will directly benefit over 100,000 people through enhanced road connectivity and expanded electricity access. More in the press release.

Beakanyang Kafo, a leading civil society organization in The Gambia, held a powerful two-day cultural and reconciliation festival titled the "Badingbung Reconciliation and Unity Festival" from 31st May to 1st June 2025, at Kabafita Upper Basic and Senior Secondary School in Brikama. More in the report.

The National Youth Parliament (NYP) is set to hold its upcoming elections with at least eleven candidates running unopposed, according to the nomination list. At a recent press conference in Serrekunda, the NYP Election Committee provided updates on the nomination process and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, youth empowerment, and inclusive participation. More in this publication.

Seventeen bright young students from across The Gambia have secured their spots in the final round of the inaugural Wordland Africa Competition, a national literacy initiative that challenges children to demonstrate mastery of vocabulary, grammar, and public speaking. The highly anticipated finals will take place on June 14, aligning with celebrations for the Day of the African Child—an occasion that honors the resilience and potential of Africa’s youth while spotlighting the transformative power of education. More in the report.

Magistrate Peter Che of Basse has raised the alarm over the ongoing practice of witchcraft accusations in the Basse, describing it as a dangerous legacy of the past now magnified by social media. The Magistrate emphasized that although the former president is no longer in power, the issue of witchcraft accusations persists. More in this report.

Kololi, The Gambia — The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) concluded its 83rd Ordinary Session on 22nd May 2025 with a powerful call for justice and reparations for Africans and people of African descent. Held under the theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparation”, the session brought together government officials, civil society leaders, and international partners to confront historical and ongoing injustices, urging unified efforts to advance human rights across the continent. More in the report.

Basse, Upper River Region — “We are dying without justice,” echoed one voice among many as victims of Yahya Jammeh’s brutal regime gathered under a mango tree in Manneh Kunda. Years after the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) concluded its work, survivors are still waiting—some in pain, others already gone—while the government drags its feet on promised reparations. More in the report.

The Gambian National Assembly launched a formal investigation into the controversial sale of assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh, following public protests and a damning investigative report. More in the publication.

For the first time in its history, the Diocese of Banjul has ordained five Gambian men to the priesthood in a single ceremony—an event of historic significance that underscores four decades of steady growth in local vocations since the first Gambian ordination in 1985. More in the report.

Thirteen-year-old Aida Jarju of Longman Memorial Methodist School lit up the stage at the 2025 National Spelling Bee, claiming the coveted title after a fiercely competitive final held in Brikama. Organised by the Take M Transformative Organisation, the event brought together 41 top young spellers from across The Gambia—but it was Aida’s poise, precision, and perseverance that ultimately set her apart and crowned her this year’s champion. More in the report.

In a decisive effort to advance disability rights and strengthen national accountability mechanisms, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in collaboration with UNICEF, concluded a two-day capacity-building workshop for the National Disability Advisory Council (NDAC) at the Senegambia Beach Hotel on 15th May 2025.

More in the report.

Bijilo, The Gambia – 8th May 2025 – At a key side event during the 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), human rights leaders and civil society actors issued a strong call for bolstering early warning systems, emphasising that timely, credible data is essential to preventing rights violations across Africa. More in the report.

“Workplaces must be safe for all.” With this powerful message, the NHRC convened a workshop with the government, partners and the private sector to adopt its Generic Sexual Harassment Policy for the Workplace. The landmark event took place on 7th May 2025 at the Senegambia Beach Hotel. More in the report.

In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, Illinois, has been elected as the 267th pontiff, following the death of Pope Francis on 21st April 2025. Prevost’s election marks the first time an American has ascended to the papacy. He has taken the name Pope Leo XIV, signalling a new era in the Church’s global leadership. More in the report.

Childbirth is meant to be a life-giving process, but for many African women, it has become a source of trauma. A recent side event during the 83rd ACHPR session spotlighted obstetric violence, urging states to adopt comprehensive legal and policy reforms. More in the report.