Cabinet Approves Bill to Establish National Research and Innovation Council

By Makutu Manneh

The Gambian government has approved legislation that would establish a national body to coordinate and regulate research and innovation, an effort officials say is intended to address longstanding gaps in oversight and align scientific work more closely with the country’s development priorities.

The National Research, Development, and Innovation Council Bill, 2026, approved by the Cabinet of President Adama Barrow, would create the National Research, Development, and Innovation Council, known as NaRDIC, as an autonomous institution overseeing research, development, and innovation across the Gambia.

In a statement issued Saturday, Aug. 29, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology described the Cabinet’s approval as an important step toward strengthening the country’s research and innovation system.

“Research and innovation are critical drivers of sustainable socio-economic development,” the ministry said. But it acknowledged that the country’s existing system remains fragmented, with limited coordination and insufficient regulatory oversight.

The ministry said The Gambia currently lacks a central institution responsible for establishing national research priorities and ensuring that research meets appropriate ethical and scientific standards. The proposed council is intended to fill that gap.

Under the bill, NaRDIC would become the country’s principal institution for coordinating research activities, promoting innovation, and ensuring that research initiatives support national development priorities. Its governing body would include representatives from the government, academia, and the private sector, according to the ministry.

The legislation would also introduce mandatory registration, licensing, and ethical approval requirements for research conducted in The Gambia. It calls for the creation of a National Research Ethics Committee and a National Scientific Committee, which would be responsible for safeguarding ethical practices and maintaining scientific standards.

The government says the proposed framework could strengthen the integrity of research conducted in the country while improving public confidence in its findings.

Officials also expect NaRDIC to help expand The Gambia’s research and innovation capacity, provide stronger evidence for government policymaking, and contribute to economic diversification and sustainable development.

The ministry welcomed the Cabinet’s approval and acknowledged the stakeholders who contributed to developing the proposed legislation.

Cabinet approval, however, does not make the proposal law. The bill must still go through the required legislative process before it can be enacted.

“The next step will be the necessary processes towards the consideration and enactment of the bill into law,” the ministry said.