By Buba Gagigo
Yonna Forex Bureau has announced a groundbreaking initiative to address food affordability in The Gambia by importing over 14,500 metric tons of 100% broken rice from India. The consignment, comprising nearly 600 containers or 290,000 50-kilogram bags, will be sold at competitive prices through Yonna outlets nationwide.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Modou Lamin Fatty, Head of Marketing at Yonna Group, highlighted the significance of this initiative.
“Yonna Group—proudly Gambian and employing over 500 citizens—is thrilled to announce the arrival of our largest rice consignment at the Banjul Ports. We have just received over 14,500 metric tons of 100% broken rice from India—nearly 600 containers or 290,000 bags (50kg each). This historic shipment guarantees Gambians abundant access to premium-quality, affordable rice. Our commitment to high standards remains unwavering,” Modou Lamin Fatty, Head of Marketing at Yonna announced.
He emphasized that the rice, sourced from reputable international suppliers, adheres to global quality benchmarks.
“Alongside this milestone delivery, we are pleased to offer a variety of other essential food items. Currently, we have 30,000 bags of parboiled rice (“Bara Bara”) in stock, catering to diverse preferences. We also bring top-grade Pakistani rice in 50kg and 25kg bags, with new containers arriving regularly—including 10 more already awaiting clearance at the Port of Banjul—to maintain a steady, reliable supply,” he announced.
Looking ahead to the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, Mr. Fatty revealed plans to import over 200 containers of premium Brazilian sugar within two weeks, ensuring adequate supply to meet heightened demand.
In addition to rice and sugar, Yonna Group offers a variety of other staples, including vegetable oil in 5-litre and 20-litre packaging, soft drinks, corn flour, and pasta. These products are distributed nationwide, reaching communities from Kartong to Koina through Yonna Forex Bureau branches.“We also carry vegetable oil in 5-litre and 20-litre packaging to meet different household needs, plus soft drinks, corn flour, and pasta for an even wider selection of staples. We distribute our products nationwide to serve every corner of The Gambia—from Kartong to Koina. Each Yonna Forex Bureau branch stocks essential food items, making them convenient and affordable for local communities,” he announced.
Mr. Fatty also highlighted the role of Yonna Enterprise in supporting the group’s operations. “Yonna Enterprise powers our operations as a leading importer of superior food products. Our efforts are supported by the collective strength of the Yonna Group, which includes Yonna Forex Bureau, Yonna Wallet, Yonna Islamic Microfinance, Yonna Islamic Insurance, and Yonna Agribusiness.”
Yonna Islamic Microfinance plays a vital role in empowering young entrepreneurs and small businesses, providing essential funding to boost participation in the food trade and drive economic growth.
In line with its mission of affordability, Yonna Group currently wholesales rice at D1,950 in the Kombos and retails it at D2,000. In the provinces, a nominal D50 is added for logistics, bringing the retail price to D2,050. The group also absorbs loading, offloading, and transport costs to further ease financial burdens on customers.
“Together, these entities form a robust network offering life-changing solutions to Gambians every single day. Through Yonna Islamic Microfinance, we empower young entrepreneurs and small businesses, providing the funding they need to participate actively in the food trade and spur economic growth. In line with our dedication to affordability, we currently wholesale rice at D1,950 in the Kombos and retail it at D2,000. A nominal D50 is added for retail in the provinces to cover logistics, bringing the price to D2,050. As part of our corporate social responsibility, Yonna Group covers loading, offloading, and transport costs, further easing the financial burden on customers and supporting local communities,” he said.
Describing Yonna Group as a 100% Gambian-owned entity, Mr. Fatty reaffirmed its dedication to the socio-economic well-being of the nation.
“We strive to make essential products more accessible by combining global sourcing capabilities with comprehensive nationwide distribution. We reaffirm our promise to deliver exceptional quality, competitive pricing, and sustainable community development. We invite everyone to benefit from our fair prices and expansive supply network as we work together toward a brighter future for The Gambia,” he concluded.