By Makutu Manneh
The Government of The Gambia has announced the formation of a high-level committee to review the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) recent decision to set a data price floor at D50 per gigabyte.
The move follows a youth-led protest that drew national attention, with demonstrators demanding affordable and fair access to internet services. The protest, which saw several young people arrested and remanded at the Mile 2 Central Prison, highlighted growing frustrations over rising data costs.
In a press release from the Office of the President, it was disclosed that President Adama Barrow, after consultations on the new PURA regulations, directed the establishment of a review committee.
“His Excellency President Adama Barrow, upon consultation on the recent price regulations introduced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), has established a High-Level Committee to review those regulations in the telecommunications sector,” the statement read.
According to the release, the committee will include representatives from the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, PURA, and the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC).
The body has been tasked with conducting a thorough, evidence-based, and impartial assessment of the new pricing framework.
The presidency stressed that the decision reflects the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance. “Underscores his government’s dedication to transparent and consultative governance,” the statement added.
It further noted that the public will be kept informed as consultations progress, reaffirming President Barrow’s pledge to uphold the welfare of citizens and ensure a competitive market environment. “The public will be updated on the further outcome of the ongoing consultations, as President Barrow is committed to the welfare of Gambians and the integrity of the competitive market,” the statement concluded.