By Fatou Sillah
In his 2026 State of the Nation Address on Thursday, President Adama Barrow acknowledged the economic pressures facing Gambian households and outlined his administration’s plans to address them.
Speaking before the National Assembly, Mr. Barrow said the government remained conscious of the persistent challenges despite progress recorded in 2025. “My government recognizes that, despite the progress made last year, challenges linger on. We are aware, for example, of the continuous cost-of-living pressures on many households,” he said, pointing to investments in agriculture as a key part of the government’s strategy to increase food self-sufficiency through local production.
The president highlighted measures to support smallholder farmers and improve the productivity of the country’s largely subsistence agriculture. “Our input support, through subsidies, is to ensure that farmers spend less and earn more from their produce. The price of groundnuts last year exemplifies this. In the medium to long term, we will continue investing in mechanization to improve overall agricultural productivity,” he said.
Mr. Barrow also addressed broader social challenges, including irregular migration and youth unemployment, emphasizing the need for skills development and private sector-led investment. “In addition to persistent climate risks, addressing irregular migration and youth employment urgently requires sustained attention. My government will continue to work with partners to address these pressing challenges through skills development and private sector-led investment,” he said.
On health care, the president noted significant improvements over the last decade and pledged continued efforts to enhance both access and quality. “Fellow Gambians, looking back, The Gambia today is more stable, more connected, and better governed than it was a decade ago. Functional institutions have been established, relevant systems strengthened, and solid foundations laid for more significant outcomes,” he said.
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