THE GAMBIA

Capital: Banjul.

Other towns/cities: Brikama, Kanifing, Basse.

Population: 2.4-million.

GDP official exchange rate: $1.7-billion (2019).

GDP per capita: $2 100 (2021).

Currency: Gambian dalasi.

Regional Economic Community: Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN–SAD), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Land mass: 11 300km².

Coastline: 80km. The country is on either side of the Gambia River and is surrounded by Senegal.

Resources: Clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin and zircon. Peanuts, cassava, fish, groundnuts, maize, milk, millet, oil palm fruit, rice, sorghum.

Main economic sectors: Agriculture (peanuts), tourism, fish.

Other sectors: Beverages, clothing, hides, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking.

New sectors for investment: The National Development Plan aims to create a stronger private sector through investment in infrastructure, supported by increased roles for the commercial agricultural and tourism sectors. Climate resilience is important for urban and coastal areas.

Key projects: The World Bank is supporting a supplemental financing package related to fiscal management, energy and telecom reform. An existing Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project has helped to improve the performance of the National Water and Electric Company (NAWEC).

Chief exports: Cashews, lumber, refined petroleum, shellfish, scrap iron, fish, sesame seeds.

Top export destinations: China, India, Mali, Chile.

Top import sources: China, India, Senegal, Brazil.

Main imports: Rice, clothing, refined petroleum, raw sugar, palm oil.

Infrastructure: One airport, 2 977km of roads, of which 518km is paved; no railways. Banjul is the country’s seaport and ocean-going vessels can advance 190km up the Gambia River.

ICT: Mobile subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 101 (2021).

Internet percentage of population: 33 (2021).

ICT Development Index 2017 (ITU) world ranking: 144, 16th in Africa.

Climate: Tropical with the hot, rainy season lasting from June to November. The country is in the floodplain of the Gambia River with low hills.

Religion: More than 90% Muslim.

Modern history: The smallest country on the continental landmass is also one of the most densely populated. Having been a part of both the great Mali and Songhai empires, the area was contested between Moroccans, French and Dutch traders before Britain established control in 1766.

The present boundaries of The Gambia were set by agreement between Britain and France in 1889.

In 1965 The Gambia gained independence. A confederation of Senegal and The Gambia existed from 1982 to 1989. Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh seized power in a coup in 1994 and he ruled in authoritarian fashion until he was ousted in an election by Adama Barrow. When it appeared that Jammeh would not accept the result, 7 000 soldiers, under the authority of the regional economic grouping, ECOWAS, massed on the border to force him into exile. Subsequent presidential elections took place on 4 December 2021 with the incumbent President Barrow winning a second term. The Gambia’s status as a multiparty democracy was also confirmed.