Seedy Njie Says Government Subsidies Have Kept Gambia’s Cost of Living Lowest in Subregion

By Fatou Sillah

Seedy Njie, deputy spokesperson of the ruling National People’s Party and deputy speaker of the National Assembly, has defended the government’s handling of the rising cost of living, arguing that state subsidies have kept prices of essential commodities in The Gambia lower than in neighboring countries.

In an interview, Njie acknowledged the economic pressures facing Gambians but said government interventions, particularly subsidies on basic commodities, have helped cushion households from higher global prices.

“If you look at the country and look at the subregion, because of the subsidies the government is doing, we have the cheapest cost of living,” Njie said.

He pointed to the price of rice as an example, saying a bag currently sells for between D1,650 and D1,750 in The Gambia after previously rising above D2,000.

Njie claimed consumers in neighboring Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Mali do not have access to rice at comparable prices.

He also cited sugar, saying its price had previously climbed to nearly D3,000 before declining.

Njie said that despite The Gambia having fewer natural resources and a smaller economy than some countries in the subregion, President Adama Barrow’s administration has continued to subsidize essential commodities to keep them affordable.

“The president believes that no matter what the world market price is, we should be able to subsidize,” he said.

According to Njie, the government spends billions of dalasis annually on subsidies as part of efforts to ease the financial burden on households and maintain living standards.

He said the administration recognizes the economic difficulties facing the country, particularly given The Gambia’s heavy reliance on taxation for government revenue, but has nevertheless continued to provide subsidies across key sectors.

Njie also dismissed some of the criticism directed at the government over the cost of living, arguing that dissatisfaction would persist regardless of how much prices fell. He suggested that even if rice were provided free of charge, some people would still complain.

“Some people, because they are the minority, are trying to disrupt the silent majority who are grateful to the nation, to the president, and to the government,” Njie said.