Old Yundum Lawmaker Calls for Crackdown on Use of Foreign Currencies in Domestic Transactions

By Fatou Sillah

The National Assembly Member for Old Yundum, Abdoulie Ceesay, has called for stricter enforcement of laws governing legal tender in The Gambia, urging authorities to take action against businesses and individuals demanding payment in foreign currencies for domestic transactions.

Speaking during a Matter of the Day in the National Assembly, Mr. Ceesay said the Dalasi is more than a means of exchange, describing it as a symbol of national sovereignty and a pillar of the country’s economy.

He argued that the growing practice of quoting prices or demanding payment in foreign currencies for local transactions is illegal and threatens the stability of the national currency.

“The Central Bank of The Gambia Act, 2018, clearly establishes the Dalasi as the sole legal tender for all domestic payments. No law permits the use of foreign currency in our markets, except for international trade and transactions explicitly exempted,” Mr. Ceesay said. “When hotels, landlords, or traders demand dollars, euros, or CFA francs, they are not only breaking the law; they are breaking faith with the Gambian people.”

Mr. Ceesay urged the Central Bank of The Gambia to strengthen its regulatory and monitoring functions, saying enforcement should be rigorous and violations met with swift legal action.

He also called on citizens to help safeguard the national currency by reporting cases in which foreign currencies are demanded for local payments. Such cases, he said, should be treated as economic offences, investigated promptly, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“This is not merely about economics. It is about sovereignty, dignity, and fairness,” he said. “The Dalasi must remain the heartbeat of our nation. To allow foreign currencies to dominate our domestic market is to surrender our independence piece by piece.”

Mr. Ceesay concluded by urging both public institutions and citizens to work together to protect the value of the Dalasi, arguing that stronger enforcement of existing laws would help preserve economic stability, uphold the rule of law, and reinforce public confidence in the country’s financial system.