AGP Executive Report

Electricity Crisis & Protests: Fresh, overnight protests erupted across Banjul and nearby towns after gruelling power cuts lasting up to 48 hours, with police tear-gassing demonstrators and residents burning tyres and blocking roads; President Adama Barrow urged calm and promised a power boost by end-October, including new generation capacity, as analysts warn the outages could shape the December election. Energy, Tourism & Business Costs: A tourism-focused commentary says the blackout problem is now a competitiveness issue for hotels and restaurants, pushing businesses to rely on costly generators; it calls for a dedicated “Tourism Green Energy Financing Facility” to help fund solar and battery systems. Governance & Accountability: The Vice President told the National Assembly that only 17 of 30 National Audit Office recommendations (2023–2025) were fully implemented, while others are still being partially rolled out, alongside claims of digitisation efforts to improve revenue collection. Local Economy & Connectivity: Jet2 will run direct Gatwick–Banjul charter flights twice weekly this winter under The Gambia Experience, with extra services around Christmas and New Year—an immediate boost for travel demand. Regional Finance & Credit: Liberia’s central bank opened talks on resolving non-performing loans, warning that bad debts are restricting access to credit for farmers and entrepreneurs. Telecoms & US–China Rivalry: Reuters reports the Trump administration plans a nearly $100m EXIM loan to Africell to support “trusted” network tech and counter Huawei’s expansion in Africa. Health & Agriculture Risk: A regional study ranks Nigeria second in West Africa for acute pesticide poisoning among farmers, with The Gambia also flagged in the figures. Sports Funding: The Ministry of Youth and Sports approved D10m for The Gambia men’s volleyball team ahead of the continental championship in Tunisia.

Electricity Crisis & Protests: Gambians in Banjul, Kanifing, Brikama and Brufut took to the streets again over rolling blackouts blamed on demand surges and import constraints, with some areas reportedly without power for up to 48 hours; protesters burned tyres, blocked roads and chanted “Barrow must go,” while police used tear gas and President Adama Barrow urged calm and promised improvements by end-October, including a new 24MW generator and a 24MW unit at Brikama. Governance & Accountability: In parliament, VP Muhammed B.S. Jallow said only 17 of 30 National Audit Office recommendations (2023–2025) were fully implemented, while ECOMIG withdrawal would depend on annual ECOWAS assessments. Tourism & Energy Costs: A tourism-focused proposal calls for a Tourism Green Energy Financing Facility to help hotels and businesses fund solar and battery systems instead of relying on costly generators. Sports Funding: The Ministry of Youth and Sports approved D10 million for the Gambia men’s volleyball team ahead of the AFCON volleyball championship in Tunisia, with match-win bonuses. Regional Business/Infrastructure: PaviFort AL Associates was praised by Gambian authorities for road works in Brufut under the 50KM Urban Roads Project. Security Cooperation: The VP clarified ECOMIG is an ECOWAS multilateral force assessed annually, not under a bilateral Gambia–Senegal deal.

Electricity Crisis in Focus: Prolonged blackouts have sparked candlelight protests and street unrest across Banjul, Kanifing, Brikama and Brufut, with residents saying cuts can last 16–20 hours and sometimes up to 48 hours; police used tear gas as demonstrators burned tyres, blocked roads and chanted “Barrow must go,” while President Adama Barrow urged calm and promised a power boost by end-October, including a new 24-megawatt generator and a 50-megawatt solar plant. Accountability and Business Impact: NAWEC has blamed demand surges and reduced regional grid supplies, but scrutiny is rising after a National Audit Office special audit flagged weaknesses in procurement and internal controls, while traders and households say the outages are stalling businesses and spoiling goods. Finance and Credit Theme (Regional): Liberia’s central bank opened a conference on tackling non-performing loans, warning bad debts are restricting credit to farmers and entrepreneurs—an issue that resonates with wider West African efforts to expand access to finance. Infrastructure/Trade (Regional): A West Africa maritime push also surfaced, with stakeholders calling for faster disbursement of vessel financing funds to support indigenous operators and skills development. Sports (Regional, Business Angle): Ghana’s AFCON qualifiers against The Gambia are in the spotlight, with calls for tighter management and logistics ahead of the matches.

Electricity Crisis Escalates: Gambians in Banjul and surrounding areas staged candlelight protests and street unrest over rolling blackouts, with police using tear gas as demonstrators burned tyres and blocked roads, demanding reliable power ahead of December elections. Presidential Response: President Adama Barrow urged calm, called the outages a national security emergency, and pledged a 24-megawatt generator by end-October plus a 50-megawatt solar plant in Soma to stabilize supply. NAWEC Pressure Points: NAWEC said shortages reflect surging demand, climate-linked hydropower limits, and constraints on imported electricity, while a National Audit Office special audit (2022–2024) flagged weaknesses in NAWEC procurement and internal controls, adding to public scrutiny. Local Fallout: In Farato, residents condemned destruction of a police station and NPP office during protests, arguing the facilities were not responsible for the power cuts. Maritime Trade Boost: The Port of Banjul cut vessel turnaround time from 16 days (2024) to 8 days 20 hours (2026), citing better coordination, reduced equipment downtime, and new container terminal capacity. AML/CFT Push: GIABA urged religious leaders in Banjul to help fight money laundering and terrorism financing, warning that illicit finance and violent extremism threaten economic development.

Power Crisis & Protests: President Adama Barrow urged calm after violent blackout protests in Banjul and nearby areas, where residents burned tyres and blocked roads over rolling outages blamed on demand surges and import constraints; he called the issue a “national security emergency” and said a new 24-megawatt generation unit will be commissioned by end-October, alongside a contracted 50-megawatt solar plant in Soma. Anti–Money Laundering Push: GIABA urged religious leaders at a Banjul sensitisation seminar to use their influence to curb money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, trafficking and kidnapping—linking ethical leadership to economic stability. Port Performance Boost: The Port of Banjul cut vessel turnaround time from 16 days (2024) to 8 days 20 hours (2026), citing better coordination, reduced equipment downtime, and new container terminal capacity. Energy & Business Context: Traders warned the outages are directly damaging livelihoods—spoiling fish and raising costs for cooling and storage. Regional Finance/Trade Watch: Africa50 said it aims to more than double infrastructure project value to at least $20bn over five years, targeting power and transmission gaps. Sports Infrastructure Link: Ghana’s GFA said Accra Sports Stadium rehabilitation should be ready for the AFCON qualifier against The Gambia, keeping regional fixtures on track.

Power Crisis in Focus: Protests in Banjul escalated as residents burned tyres and blocked roads over blackouts lasting up to 48 hours, with police using tear gas near NAWEC and the VP’s residence ahead of December’s presidential election. Port Efficiency Boost: The Port of Banjul cut vessel turnaround time from 16 days 15 hours (2024) to 8 days 20 hours (2026), citing better coordination, fewer equipment delays, and a new 15,000 sq m container terminal adding 1,000 TEUs. Infrastructure Finance Push: Africa50 says it wants to more than double the value of its infrastructure projects to at least $20bn over the next five years, targeting power generation and transmission where funding gaps remain. Clean Air Warning: A new Africa Air Quality Brief says more than 20 African countries missed WHO air pollution guidelines in 2025, raising public-health pressure for cleaner energy and monitoring. Border & Governance: A minister admitted a Gambian government facility was built on Senegalese territory, renewing calls for tighter border surveying and accountability. Coalition Politics: Coalition 2026 leaders renewed calls for opposition unity and change ahead of the 5 December election.

Maritime & Trade Readiness: The Ghana Maritime Authority called for stronger seafarer assessment and certification standards, saying better exam quality helps keep ships safe and supports global trade competitiveness. Public Sector Reform: The African Capacity Building Foundation and Gates Foundation urged African governments to invest more in leadership for public financial management reforms, arguing technical fixes won’t stick without trust, coordination and sustained change. Gambia–Senegal Tourism: The Gambia Tourism Board and Ministry of Tourism backed renewed business-to-business tourism talks with Senegal, but stressed that familiarisation must turn into real partnerships, joint packages and measurable visitor growth. Infrastructure & Growth: President Adama Barrow inaugurated key lots of The Gambia’s 50-kilometre Urban Roads Project, framing it as long-term mobility and commerce support beyond the 2024 OIC Summit. Education Governance: Ghana’s education minister directed schools not to admit students outside the CSSPS placement system, warning of sanctions—an integrity push tied to World Bank-funded secondary education reforms. Business & Finance (Regional): Liberia’s Petroleum Regulatory Authority was inducted into AFRIPERF, aiming to boost regulatory capacity as Liberia expands its oil and gas programme.

Public Finance & Reform: ACBF and the Gates Foundation say Africa’s public-sector reforms need stronger leadership to build trust, beat resistance and sustain momentum—not just technical fixes. Education & Governance: Ghana’s Education Minister orders SHS and TVET heads not to admit students outside the CSSPS, warning sanctions after enrolment data checks. Infrastructure & Growth: President Barrow calls Gambia’s 50km Urban Roads Project a long-term investment, saying benefits will outlast the 2024 OIC Summit through better mobility for goods and services. Business & Transport Links: Gateway Air launches a daily Abuja–Lagos–Ogun service to speed access to Ogun’s commercial corridor, while EgyptAir opens Cairo–Zanzibar twice weekly to deepen Africa route expansion. Regional Trade & Tourism: Gambia and Senegal tourism cooperation is urged to go beyond familiarisation tours into real partnerships, joint packages and measurable visitor growth. Land & Courts: Lands Minister Hamat N.K. Bah says land disputes drive about 62% of court cases and points to a dedicated land High Court plus a Land Information System to cut overlapping claims. Energy Boardroom: Transcorp Power appoints Maryam Bala Shehu as independent non-executive director from Sept 1, 2026. Sports & Community: Africell Gambia donates jerseys and equipment to 25 Nawettan teams ahead of the new season. Digital Economy Politics: EFF-Gambia’s Prince Ebrahim Sanyang pitches broadband as an economic right, regional tech hubs, and digitised government services to fight corruption.

UAE Manufacturing Push: ROX says it has started local vehicle production in Abu Dhabi, with its first ADAMAS models rolling out from a new KEZAD facility and carrying the “Made in the Emirates” mark—aiming to scale output from 20,000 vehicles in 2027 toward 300,000 annually by 2030. Cross-Border Risks: A Liberian anti-trafficking group reports 52 Liberians stranded in Nigeria after alleged trafficking and scam recruitment, warning that victims are often promised jobs, scholarships, travel and sports opportunities. Education & Enrollment Integrity: Ghana’s education minister orders SHS and TVET heads not to admit students outside the CSSPS placement system, warning of sanctions for breaches. Maritime Skills: Ghana’s maritime authority calls for stronger seafarer assessment and certification standards, stressing that competency checks underpin safety and global trade. Gambia Business & Tourism: Africell Gambia donates jerseys and equipment to 25 Nawettan teams ahead of the new season, while Senegalese tourism operators on a Gambia familiarisation tour highlight eco-tourism and bird-watching potential. Land Reform: Gambia’s Lands Minister says land disputes make up about 62% of court cases and points to a dedicated land High Court and a Land Information System to cut conflicts and reduce fraudulent transactions. Regional Economy: ECOWAS Commission President Birame Diop was installed in Abuja, inheriting priorities including regional connectivity and the single currency push.

Maritime Security & Trade Disruption: The U.S. Central Command says it permanently disabled two Iranian crude oil tankers and destroyed a third after Iran launched ballistic missiles toward an American aircraft carrier, warning it could “destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet” — a reminder of how quickly shipping and regional commerce can be hit by geopolitical shocks. Gambia Business & Youth Entrepreneurship: EFF-Gambia leader Prince Ebrahim Sanyang says a future government would treat broadband as an economic right, build tech hubs in every region, and digitise government services to cut corruption and boost jobs. Local Economy & Sports Sponsorship: Africell Gambia donated football jerseys and equipment to 25 Nawettan teams ahead of the new season, backing grassroots sport and youth engagement. Land & Courts Reform: Lands Minister Hamat N.K. Bah says land disputes make up about 62% of court cases and the government is pushing a specialised High Court for land matters plus a Land Information System to reduce overlapping claims and fraud. Regional Integration: Senegal’s Birame Diop was installed as ECOWAS Commission President, inheriting priorities including connectivity and the push toward a single currency. Business Leadership & Governance: ACBF and the Gates Foundation urged African governments to invest more in leadership for public-sector transformation, arguing technical reforms fail without strong change leadership.

Maritime Standards: Ghana Maritime Authority called for stronger seafarer assessment and certification standards, bringing assessors and examiners from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Cape Verde and The Gambia to improve competency for safer global shipping. Public Sector Reform: ACBF and the Gates Foundation urged African governments to invest more in leadership development to turn public financial management reforms into lasting results, saying technical fixes alone won’t overcome resistance and weak implementation. Land & Justice: Gambia’s Lands Minister Hamat N.K. Bah said land disputes make up about 62% of court cases and announced reforms including a dedicated High Court for land matters and a Land Information System to reduce overlapping claims and fraud. Digital Economy Politics: EFF-Gambia leader Prince Ebrahim Sanyang unveiled a digital-first agenda—affordable broadband as an economic right, regional tech hubs for youth, and digitised government services to fight corruption. Sports & Youth: Africell Gambia donated jerseys and equipment to 25 Nawettan teams ahead of the new season, backing grassroots football and youth empowerment. Regional Diplomacy: President Adama Barrow reaffirmed ties with Guinea Conakry, signing a joint communiqué covering trade, energy, tourism, science, youth, fisheries and security.

Public Finance & Governance: The African Capacity Building Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation urged African governments to invest more in leadership for public-sector reforms, arguing that technical fixes alone won’t deliver lasting change. Land & Justice: Lands Minister Hamat N.K. Bah says land disputes make up about 62% of court cases and says government is moving to cut the burden by setting up a dedicated High Court for land matters and building a Land Information System to reduce overlapping claims and fraud. Digital Economy & Youth: EFF-Gambia leader Prince Ebrahim Sanyang unveiled a plan to make broadband an “economic right,” create tech hubs across regions, and digitise government services to fight corruption. Energy & Investment Climate: Oando Energy Resources called for stronger partnerships among regulators, governments, operators and host communities to unlock upstream oil and gas investment. Maritime Standards: Ghana’s Maritime Authority pushed for tougher seafarer assessment and certification standards, with regional training involving The Gambia and others. Business & Community: Africell Gambia donated jerseys and equipment to 25 Nawettan teams ahead of the new season. Regional Diplomacy: President Adama Barrow reaffirmed ties with Guinea during an official visit, signing a joint communiqué covering trade, energy, security, tourism and more.

Public Sector Reform Push: ACBF and the Gates Foundation urged African governments to invest more in leadership development, arguing that good policies and technical fixes won’t deliver lasting public financial management reforms without stronger change leadership. Immigration Deal Scrutiny: A commentary questions The Gambia’s BI-Securiport-style plan to charge international travellers for a 20-year border-security revenue deal, calling for clearer justification of costs and benefits before signing. Land Dispute Pressure: Lands Minister Hamat N.K. Bah says land conflicts drive about 62% of court cases and says reforms include a dedicated High Court for land disputes and a Land Information System to cut multiple allocations and fraudulent transactions. Digital Economy Agenda: EFF-Gambia leader Prince Ebrahim Sanyang unveiled plans to make broadband an economic right, build regional tech hubs, and digitise government services to fight corruption and spur youth enterprise. Tourism & Trade Links: Senegalese tourism professionals on a familiarisation tour praised The Gambia’s eco-tourism and bird-watching potential, while President Barrow’s visit to Guinea focused on expanding cooperation across trade, energy, agriculture, tourism and fisheries. Energy Investment Call: Oando Energy Resources urged stronger partnerships among governments, regulators, operators and host communities to unlock upstream oil and gas investment across Africa. Sports & Youth Support: Africell donated jerseys and equipment to 25 Nawettan teams ahead of the new season, backing grassroots football and youth empowerment. Regional Business Leadership: Senegal’s Birame Diop was installed as ECOWAS Commission President, inheriting priorities including regional connectivity and the Eco single-currency push.

Digital Economy & Jobs: EFF-Gambia leader Prince Ebrahim Sanyang says broadband should be an “economic right,” pledging affordable high-speed internet nationwide, regional tech hubs for youth coding and start-ups, and full digitisation of government services to cut corruption. Land & Courts: Lands Minister Hamat N.K. Bah says land disputes make up about 62% of court cases and is pushing reforms including a dedicated High Court for land conflicts plus a Land Information System to reduce double allocations and fraudulent transactions. Energy & Investment Climate: Oando Energy Resources calls for stronger partnerships among governments, regulators, operators and host communities to unlock upstream oil and gas investment, arguing regulator–operator relations must go beyond oversight. Regional Diplomacy & Trade: President Adama Barrow’s visit to Guinea Conakry reaffirmed cooperation across agriculture, trade, energy, defence, tourism, fisheries and education, with a joint communiqué signed. Tourism & Market Signals: Senegalese tourism professionals on a familiarisation tour highlighted The Gambia’s eco-tourism and bird-watching potential after visits to key sites. Infrastructure for Growth: The Sanyang Beachside Road was inaugurated to boost coastal connectivity, trade and tourism, and to support future deep-sea port development. Business & Community Support: Africell Gambia donated jerseys and equipment to 25 Nawettan teams ahead of the new season.

Telecom & Digital Inclusion: Liberia’s LTA chief Clarence K. Massaquoi is pushing a development-focused telecom regulator model, including a new Consumer Support Center in Buchanan to bring help closer to users. Youth & Politics: The African Youth Charter’s 20th anniversary is reigniting debate on youth underrepresentation in voting and civic life, with calls for stronger youth participation in decision-making. Energy Upstream Partnerships: Oando Energy Resources urged closer government–regulator–operator–community collaboration to unlock investment in Africa’s upstream sector, arguing relationships must go beyond compliance. Gambia Education Finance: The Students Revolving Loan Scheme opens applications on Sept 15 for interest-free tuition support at UTG, CSU, UEG and USET. Science & Innovation Policy: MoHERST advanced a draft NSTIP 2027–2035 and STI Bill 2026, aiming to fix past gaps via better financing, coordination and an STI secretariat. Roads & Trade: Sanyang Beachside Road was inaugurated to boost coastal connectivity and economic activity, including support for future port-linked trade. Local Governance Paperwork: Government says a Local Government Commission report and White Paper are imminent, after delays. Business & Markets: Uber’s $16.9bn deal to buy Delivery Hero could reshape Africa’s on-demand delivery landscape, affecting platforms like Glovo.

Fuel Prices Rise: The Gambia has approved new retail pump prices effective Sept. 1, with petrol at D109.80/litre, diesel at D120/litre and kerosene at D112.64/litre, citing higher international crude and refined product costs and Middle East instability. Higher Education Finance: The Students Revolving Loan Scheme opens for applications on Sept. 15, offering interest-free tuition support for eligible students at UTG, CSU, UEG and USET, with online submissions and a Sept. 30 deadline. Science & Innovation Policy: MoHERST held a validation workshop for a new National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (NSTIP 2027–2035) and STI Bill 2026, aiming to fix past implementation gaps through stronger legislation, coordination and funding. Local Government Oversight: Government is set to publish the Local Government Commission report and a White Paper, after delays that have left councils and stakeholders waiting. Coastal Connectivity: Sanyang Beachside Road (EPC Lot 9) was inaugurated to boost trade, tourism and access ahead of future port-linked development. Migration & Human Cost: A boat that left Gambia was found adrift off Spain’s Canary Islands after 26 days, with 44 survivors and at least five bodies reported, while many more are feared dead. Sports & Community: A women’s football team, Determine Girls FC, says it faces accommodation problems in The Gambia after being told to vacate its hotel.