By Makutu Manneh
Members of The Gambia’s National Assembly delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament have called for the creation of a regional agricultural bank and specialized training for border officials, arguing that such measures are essential to realizing the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The proposals were presented during a high-level session focused on women, youth, and informal cross-border traders, examining how to unlock more inclusive growth under the continent-wide trade pact.
Hon. Sheriff Sarr, the National Assembly Member for Jeshwang, pointed to persistent financial barriers confronting vulnerable populations, particularly women. In The Gambia, he said, many women serve as primary breadwinners, shouldering the costs of education and health care for their families while facing limited access to affordable credit.
He called for targeted skills development programs in rural communities and a reduction in what he described as “exorbitant” interest rates that constrain local entrepreneurship. A regional agricultural bank, he suggested, could help address structural financing gaps and stimulate production across member states.
Hon. Maimuna Ceesay, a nominated member of the Assembly, broadened the discussion to the challenges of intra-regional trade, emphasizing that meaningful inclusion of women and young people is critical to Africa’s economic stability. Providing youth with training in innovation and enterprise, she argued, would create viable economic opportunities at home and help curb irregular migration.
Ms. Ceesay also urged the introduction of mandatory human rights training for border officials, citing reports of harassment faced by female traders moving goods across borders.
Hon. Amadou Camara, Member for Nianija, focused on the difficulties confronting informal traders in The Gambia, identifying financial exclusion and non-tariff trade barriers as major impediments to growth. He pressed for these concerns to be formally integrated into AfCFTA implementation strategies, warning that without deliberate protections, small-scale businesses risk being left behind.
Together, the delegation’s proposals underscored a broader push within the regional bloc to ensure that expanded trade translates into tangible benefits for marginalized groups and emerging entrepreneurs.
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