AGP Executive Report

ECOWAS Leadership Change: Senegal’s Gen. Birame Diop was sworn in as the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, taking over from Gambia’s Dr Omar Alieu Touray after four years marked by major regional upheavals. GFF Governance Reset: Gambian football moves into a new chapter after Kemo Ceesay won the Gambia Football Federation presidency, with calls for reconciliation and unity across camps. Political Coalition Building: “Team Gambia” says it has completed a five-month nationwide consultation for a broad coalition ahead of the December 2026 presidential election, with feedback due by Sept 12. Accountability on Jammeh Assets: Civil society groups presented a position paper after reviewing the National Assembly Special Select Committee report on the disposal of Yahya Jammeh’s assets, citing procedural irregularities and systemic governance gaps. Water & Sanitation Boost: The GIRAV project donated four Toyota pickup vehicles to NAWEC to strengthen field operations, alongside smart meter rollout plans to improve efficiency and reduce losses. Tourism Push to Nigeria: The Gambia Tourism Board will join Nigeria’s Akwaaba Travel Trade Expo (Sept 13–15) and host a Destination Gambia reception on Sept 12 to deepen business links and grow visitor traffic.

ECOWAS Leadership Change: Senegal’s Gen. Birame Diop was sworn in as the new President of the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, taking over from Gambian diplomat Dr Omar Alieu Touray, with a new management team and statutory appointees named. Maritime Skills & Standards: The IMO and Ghana Maritime Authority launched a regional training in Accra to tighten seafarer certification assessment and examiners’ competency across West Africa, ahead of an IMO audit in 2027. Gambia Water & Power Operations: The GIRAV Project donated four Toyota pickup vehicles to NAWEC to boost field operations and improve WASH delivery, alongside smart meter rollout plans to cut losses and improve accountability. Tourism Trade Push: The Gambia Tourism Board will join Nigeria’s Akwaaba Travel Trade Expo (Sept 13–15) with “Team Gambia” hosting a Sept 12 promotional reception to grow partnerships and visitor traffic, including a focus on MICE. Football Governance: Gambian football’s new chapter begins as GFF elects Kemo Ceesay as president, with calls for unity and inclusion beyond election camps. Regional Tourism Business Framework: ECOWAS adopted guidelines to recognize and accredit regional tourism business associations, aiming for better governance and credibility across member states.

ECOWAS Leadership Shake-up: Gambian diplomat Dr Omar Alieu Touray will step down as ECOWAS Commission president after four years, with a formal welcome-and-farewell ceremony set for Aug 31 in Abuja. Regional Peacekeeping Books: ECOWAS also unveiled publications on ECOMOG and peacemaking interventions, including “Fighting Bushfires,” highlighting lessons from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau. Tourism Business Push: ECOWAS adopted a framework to strengthen and accredit regional tourism business associations, aiming for better governance and integration; the bloc also moves to boost the tourism sector across West Africa. Gambia in Fisheries Transparency: Gambia endorsed the Mombasa Declaration on fisheries transparency to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing using low-cost policy reforms. Tourism Trade Link: The Gambia Tourism Board will attend Nigeria’s Akwaaba Travel Trade Expo (Sept 13–15) to expand its tourism footprint, including a Sept 12 promotional reception. Migration and Human Cost: Mauritania intercepted a boat carrying 161 migrants (including 17 children) after it left Banjul and suffered engine failure en route to Spain’s Canary Islands. Public Service Reform Learning: Senior Gambian officials visited Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Commission to benchmark public investment and civil service reforms. Sports Business: Liverpool’s late-window focus includes Bradley Barcola talks and a stalled pursuit of Yankuba Minteh, with Brighton still demanding around £80m.

Tourism & Trade: The Gambia Tourism Board is set to boost its business links in Nigeria at the 2026 Akwaaba Travel Trade Expo in Lagos (Sept 13–15), with a Team Gambia promotional cocktail reception on Sept 12 and a push to position The Gambia as an emerging MICE destination. Public Investment Reform: Senior Gambian officials have begun benchmarking Uganda’s public investment management to plug gaps in project conceptualisation, evaluation, implementation and monitoring, aiming to accelerate economic reforms. Port & Business Climate: At Alport Gambia, staff have rallied behind CEO Salih Levent Kaçar with a counter-petition after a staff association petition, arguing leadership changes improved operations and urging dialogue to protect port stability. Energy & Agriculture Finance: The International Solar Alliance launched its Solarising Africa strategy and the Africa50 DRE Fund, including solarised agriculture and e-mobility priorities, as part of scaling solar investment across Africa. Migration & Humanitarian Risk: Mauritania intercepted a boat off its coast carrying 161 migrants (including Gambians) after engine failure on a route toward Spain’s Canary Islands, highlighting ongoing dangers for West African departures. Sports Business (Gambia-linked): Liverpool transfer talk continues around Gambian winger Yankuba Minteh, with Brighton signalling he may stay unless price demands shift, while Liverpool also move toward other winger targets. Fact-check (Ethnic Data): A claim that Mandinkas are no longer the largest ethnic group was contradicted by Gambia’s 2024 census, which still ranks Mandinkas highest (34.4%).

Tourism & Trade: The Gambia Tourism Board is set to boost its business ties in Nigeria by taking part in the 2026 Akwaaba Travel Trade Expo in Lagos (Sept 13–15), led by Tourism Minister Abdoulie Jobe, with a Sept 12 Destination Gambia promotional reception aimed at linking Gambian tourism firms with Nigerian agencies, tour operators, airlines and investors, with a big push on MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions). Sports & Investment Signals: International sports media giant DAZN secured rights to broadcast LaLiga EA SPORTS across Sub-Saharan Africa for three seasons (2026/27–2028/29), a reminder of how global entertainment deals keep reshaping regional consumer spending and sponsorship ecosystems. Public Finance & Reform Learning: Senior Gambian officials are benchmarking Uganda’s public investment management to plug gaps in project conceptualisation, evaluation, implementation and monitoring—work they say is meant to support wider economic reforms. Migration Pressure: Mauritania intercepted a boat off its coast carrying 161 migrants (including 17 children) after engine failure; the group had left Banjul eight days earlier and was trying to reach Spain’s Canary Islands, highlighting the ongoing business and human costs of unsafe migration routes. Governance & Accountability: A debate over the NaRDIC bill continues, with criticism that media coverage lacked clear access to the full text—raising questions about transparency and how policy information reaches the public.

Tourism & Trade: The Gambia Tourism Board will join the 2026 Akwaaba Travel Trade Expo in Lagos (Sept 13–15) to grow its tourism footprint in Nigeria, with a Team Gambia Destination Gambia promotional cocktail reception set for Sept 12 to connect local tourism businesses with Nigerian travel agencies, tour operators, airlines and investors, with a key push on MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions). Public Investment Reform: Senior Gambian officials have started benchmarking Uganda’s public investment management, citing gaps in project conceptualisation, evaluation, implementation and monitoring, and saying the lessons will support IMF-backed reforms. Migration & Safety: Mauritania’s coast guard rescued 161 migrants (including 17 children) after a boat left Banjul eight days earlier toward Spain’s Canary Islands, with people transferred to a reception centre in Nouakchott. Sports Business & Talent: Liverpool transfer talk continues to swirl around Gambian winger Yankuba Minteh as Brighton hints he may stay unless terms change, while Liverpool’s pursuit of other wingers also remains active. Gambian Football: Gambian women’s international Joanna Colley has signed for Sierra Leone’s Ram Kamara FC on a proposed one-year deal.

Sports Media Deal: DAZN secured rights to broadcast LaLiga EA SPORTS across Sub-Saharan Africa for three seasons (2026/27–2028/29), bringing all 380 matches per season to fans in 48 markets, starting this weekend. Gambia Football Talent Abroad: Gambian women’s international Joanna Colley has moved to Sierra Leone’s Ram Kamara FC on a proposed one-year deal, building on her Gambia Women’s League experience. Transfer Market Watch (Gambia link): Liverpool’s pursuit of Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh appears to have stalled after bids were rejected and Brighton held out for about £70m–£80m; Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler says Minteh’s situation is still uncertain. Migration & Human Cost: Mauritania’s coast guard rescued 161 migrants (including 17 children) after a boat left Banjul and suffered engine failure, highlighting the deadly West Africa–Atlantic route. Public Finance Reform: Gambian officials are benchmarking Uganda’s public investment management to address gaps in project design, evaluation, implementation, and monitoring. Safeguarding Jobs: Buzz Women Gambia opened applications for a Safeguarding Consultant (Sukuta), due 30 August 2026.

Public Investment Reform: Gambian Ministry of Finance officials have begun a benchmarking visit to Uganda to learn how it manages public investments, aiming to fix gaps in project conceptualisation, evaluation, implementation and monitoring—work they say is urgent for economic recovery. Political Permits: Presidential aspirant Mariama Khan says police have delayed issuing her permit for a nationwide grassroots mobilisation tour since February, despite multiple screenings and a request to shorten the plan. Public Service Learning: Senior Gambian officials visited Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Commission to study public service reforms, focusing on clear mandates, coordination and authority boundaries. Migration & Safety: Mauritania’s coast guard rescued 161 migrants, including 17 children, after a boat left Banjul and suffered engine failure; the group is set for transfer to a reception centre in Nouakchott. Football & Talent Links: Gambian midfielder Joanna Colley has signed for Sierra Leone’s Ram Kamara FC, strengthening sporting ties between the two countries. Safeguarding Jobs: Buzz Women Gambia opened applications for a Safeguarding Consultant role in Sukuta, with a 30 August 2026 deadline.

Liverpool Transfer Push: Liverpool are closing in on PSG winger Bradley Barcola in a deal that could reach £120m, while their bids for Gambia international Yankuba Minteh (£50m then £60m) were rejected by Brighton and they are now pivoting to Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr. Diplomatic & Business Ties: After the Voice Achievers Awards and Business Dialogue 2026 in London, organisers made a courtesy visit to the Gambia High Commission in the UK, hosted by High Commissioner Dr Fatou Bensouda, to strengthen cultural diplomacy and future cooperation. Migration & Safety: Mauritania’s coast guard intercepted a boat carrying 161 migrants, including 17 children, who left Banjul eight days earlier; the engine failed and the group was transferred to a reception centre in Nouakchott. Public Service Reform Learning: Gambian officials visited Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Commission to study public service reforms and discuss how to adapt lessons for strengthening The Gambia’s civil service. Ethnicity Fact-Check: A claim that Mandinkas are no longer the Gambia’s largest ethnic group was contradicted by the 2024 GBoS census, which puts Mandinkas at 34.4% (largest), ahead of Fulas at 25.0%. Safeguarding Consultancy Call: Buzz Women Gambia has opened applications for a Safeguarding Consultant (Sukuta), with a 30 August 2026 deadline.

Migration & Border Pressures: Mauritania’s coast guard rescued 161 migrants off its coast, including 17 children, after a boat engine failed; the group left Banjul eight days earlier and is expected to be transferred to a reception centre in Nouakchott. Energy & Investment: The International Solar Alliance launched its Solarising Africa strategy and the Africa50 DRE Fund, aiming to scale solar deployment and support solarised agriculture, e-mobility and utility-scale projects across Africa. Fact-Check & Demographics: A claim that Mandinkas are no longer The Gambia’s largest ethnic group was rejected by 2024 GBoS census data showing Mandinkas at 34.4%, ahead of Fulas at 25.0%. Sports & Business (Transfers): Liverpool’s pursuit of Yankuba Minteh hit a pricing wall as Brighton rejected bids up to £60m, pushing the club to pivot toward Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr while talks continue on other attacking targets. Governance & Workplace Climate: At Alport Gambia, staff rallied behind CEO Salih Levent Kaçar with a counter-petition after a staff association complaint, urging dialogue to protect port stability. Safeguarding Jobs: Buzz Women Gambia opened applications for a Safeguarding Consultant (Sukuta), due 30 August 2026.

Minimum Wage Watch: A new global comparison puts Sri Lanka at 120th out of 130 countries for PPP-adjusted monthly minimum wages, estimated at about US$200—highlighting how living-cost differences can change the real value of pay. Gambia & Fisheries Transparency: FiTI and the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency back international moves like the Mombasa Declaration, but warn that signing is only the start and that implementation must be verifiable and stakeholder-driven—an issue that matters for regional fish governance, including The Gambia. Workplace Health Gap: A West Africa survey for World Mosquito Day finds 62% of workers get no malaria prevention support from employers, including respondents from The Gambia—pushing the case for stronger private-sector workplace action. Education for Skills: A commentary argues education systems over-focus on reading and maths while under-teaching social and emotional skills like empathy and resilience—skills increasingly tied to safer, healthier societies. China-Gambia Education Links: The Chinese Embassy in The Gambia hosted a Bantaba for Gambian degree students in China, with officials urging students to build skills and support the home economy. Business & Economy Signals: Nigeria’s slide to 56th among the world’s 60 poorest countries (GDP-PPP per capita) underscores ongoing cost-of-living pressure across Africa.

Fisheries Transparency: FiTI and the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency praised the Mombasa Declaration’s push for better vessel data sharing, but warned that real work now lies in turning commitments into verifiable, stakeholder-led implementation. Public Health & Workplaces: A Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa survey across 10 West African countries (including The Gambia) found 62% of workers get no malaria prevention support from employers, urging firms to move from awareness to real workplace protection. Education for Productivity: A new argument for Africa’s “next education revolution” says literacy and numeracy alone won’t be enough—systems must also teach social and emotional skills like empathy and resilience. Gambia-China Education Links: The Chinese Embassy in The Gambia held a Bantaba for Gambian degree-study students in China, with officials stressing continued education cooperation as ties mark a decade since resumption. Gambia Economy Watch: Commentary highlights The Gambia’s domestic debt build-up and rising borrowing costs, warning that growth must be strong enough to carry the debt burden. Global Trade Pressure: US sanctions on Iran expand to networks tied to oil, shipping, crypto, gold and technology—raising risks for regional trading partners and payment channels.

US-Iran Sanctions: The US launched “Operation Economic Outcast,” expanding Iran-related secondary sanctions to oil, shipping and other sectors, warning partners they could be cut off from the dollar system. Gambia-UK Mobility: The UK Ancestry Visa scheme opens a work-and-live route for Commonwealth citizens (including Gambians) who can prove a UK-born grandparent, offering up to five years. Gambia Finance Watch: A new analysis flags The Gambia’s domestic debt and borrowing costs as a key risk to development spending. Education Links: The Chinese Embassy in The Gambia held a “Bantaba” for Gambian degree-study students in China, highlighting continued education cooperation. Trade & Security: The US port-security advisory list still includes 10 African countries, with The Gambia among those affected by maritime security concerns. Health & Work: A West Africa survey finds 62% of workers get no workplace malaria prevention support, urging employers to step up. Macro Poverty Snapshot: Nigeria’s slide to 56th among the world’s 60 poorest by GDP-PPP per capita underscores worsening living-pressure across the region. Business Tech: Audiomack’s “Night Plan” targets lower overnight data costs to help African music fans download offline more affordably.

Gambia Debt Watch: A new commentary flags The Gambia’s rising domestic debt and the “dangerous price of development,” warning that borrowing can be harmful when it funds recurring spending instead of productive assets. UK Migration Route: The UK Ancestry Visa is open to Commonwealth citizens (including The Gambia) who can prove a UK-born grandparent, offering up to five years to live and work. Maritime Security: The US Coast Guard keeps 10 African countries (including The Gambia) on its port-security restrictions list, meaning extra vessel security steps may be required for calls to affected ports. Health & Workplaces: A West Africa-wide survey for World Mosquito Day finds 62% of workers get no workplace malaria prevention support, including in The Gambia—pushing employers to move from awareness to action. Regional Payments: PAPSS is highlighted as a cross-border payments system now operating across many African countries, including Gambia, aiming to cut costly currency conversions. Politics & Governance: Presidential aspirant Mariama Khan vows to tackle social and political corruption, promising a “healing” and governance reset.

Gambia’s Debt Watch: The Gambia’s domestic debt is reported at about D55.43bn, with the Central Bank warning it’s concentrated in short-term instruments—raising refinancing pressure and crowding out development spending. Regional Payments & Trade: PAPSS is expanding across Africa, now supporting cross-border transfers in local currencies across 28 countries including The Gambia—aiming to cut costs and delays that once made intra-African trade harder. Gambia Politics & Poll Integrity: Gambia Participates denies claims it was bankrolled by political parties or candidates, saying its latest survey was funded by the US National Endowment for Democracy. Youth, Sports & Business Links: Brufut Youth and Sports Development Committee signs a three-year partnership with Africell Gambia, including annual funding and support for the Nawettan league. Global Policy That Could Hit Mobility: A US judge struck down a Trump immigrant visa freeze affecting 75 countries, including The Gambia—potentially reopening case-by-case immigrant visa processing. International Sanctions Spillover: US Treasury launches “Operation Economic Outcast” targeting Iran-linked shipping and other sectors, including a Gambia-flagged tanker mentioned in the sanctions push.

Gambia Debt Watch: The Gambia’s domestic debt is reported at about D55.43bn, with a warning that heavy reliance on short-term Treasury bills could crowd out development unless borrowing costs, maturity and purpose are reformed. Regional Payments: PAPSS is expanding across Africa’s payment rails, now including The Gambia, aiming to cut cross-border transfer costs and delays by enabling real-time local-currency settlement. Sports & Youth Economy: Brufut’s youth and sports committee signed a three-year partnership with Africell Gambia, funding field development and operations while supporting the Nawettan league with jerseys and connectivity for officials. Politics & Poll Integrity: Gambia Participates says its latest opinion poll was not funded by political parties or candidates, claiming support from the US National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Presidential Race Movement: “Prince” Ebrima Sanyang launched EFF-Gambia, pitching “Freedom Stores” and a jobs push ahead of the 5 December presidential election. Global Mobility: A US judge struck down Trump’s 75-country immigrant visa freeze, a ruling that includes The Gambia and could reopen case-by-case processing. UK Migration Route: The UK’s new Ancestry visa lists The Gambia among eligible Commonwealth countries where applicants can live and work in the UK for up to five years.