By Seedy Jobe
The Gambian government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic relations with Britain, positioning the country as an increasingly stable and competitive destination for foreign investment, the minister of trade said at a Gambia–U.K. Trade and Investment Mission this week.
Speaking to investors and business leaders, the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, Hon. Mod K. Ceesay, said the government had made significant progress in laying the groundwork for sustained economic growth and private-sector development.
“Under the current administration, The Gambia has laid firm foundations for a modern, democratic, and prosperous economy,” Mr. Ceesay said in prepared remarks. He pointed to strengthened institutions, improved legal and policy frameworks, an expanding infrastructure base, and what he described as a young and dynamic workforce as key drivers of investor confidence.
The mission, held under the theme “Strengthening Partnerships, Creating Opportunities, Supporting Sustainable Growth,” was aimed at translating diplomatic engagement into tangible commercial outcomes, including expanded industrial capacity and deeper trade links between the two countries.
Mr. Ceesay outlined a series of reforms intended to make it easier to do business in The Gambia, including measures to improve trade facilitation, protect investments, and support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. He said the government was also accelerating industrialization through the development of economic zones designed to promote job creation and value addition.
Central to those efforts, he said, is the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency, which he described as a key institution for guiding investors through regulatory processes and supporting projects after establishment.
“Through the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GiEPA), we are ensuring that investors benefit from efficiency, transparency, regulatory clarity, and strong aftercare support, turning interest into concrete investments and partnerships into successful enterprises,” Mr. Ceesay said.
He invited British companies to explore opportunities across a range of high-growth sectors, including agro-processing, tourism and hospitality, renewable energy, healthcare innovation, manufacturing, logistics, and export-oriented industries, as well as skills development and technology transfer.
“We particularly welcome collaboration with UK partners in agro-processing, tourism and hospitality, healthcare innovation, renewable energy, manufacturing, logistics, export-oriented industries, skills development, and technology transfer. The opportunities are real, and The Gambia is open for business.”
The government, he added, is prepared to actively support investors by fast-tracking approvals, facilitating access to land and infrastructure, removing bureaucratic barriers and safeguarding investments. “Our objective is investment that creates jobs, strengthens local enterprises, expands exports, and improves livelihoods -investment that is profitable, sustainable, and transformative.”
Mr. Ceesay urged participants to move beyond dialogue and ensure that discussions result in concrete agreements and projects, calling for a shift “from commitments to implementation.”
“I urge all stakeholders to move from dialogue to delivery, from commitments to implementation, and from partnership to performance, in pursuit of shared prosperity.
He concluded by thanking the organizers of the mission and British partners, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the engagement delivers measurable economic outcomes.
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