GAMBIAN President Adama Barrow and Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), have forged a collaborative commitment to bolster rice production, empower the nation’s vibrant youth, and support women entrepreneurs. Their shared vision aims to enhance food security and infrastructure in The Gambia.
President Barrow seized the opportunity to address the pressing issue of food security in light of the Russian-Ukrainian war, stating, ‘The Russian-Ukrainian war presents an opportunity for us to solve the problem of food security. There’s no reason why Africans shouldn’t feed themselves. We should commercialise our rice production to produce enough rice for our people.’
Currently, local rice production meets less than 20 percent of the country’s demand for this staple food. The AfDB has committed to supporting The Gambia in its quest to produce an additional 200,000 tons of paddy rice by 2028, with the ultimate goal of eliminating rice imports.
In addition to food security, the collaboration extends to promoting entrepreneurship among the nation’s youth and women, with a special focus on a country where approximately 65 percent of the population is under 25 years old. President Barrow identified infrastructure development, particularly road construction, as a vital area where the African Development Bank’s support is needed.
Expressing gratitude for the AfDB’s assistance, President Barrow said, ‘We are grateful for the African Development Bank’s support. The African Development Bank is our bank. We are doing a lot as a government, but we need the support of the bank to expand our work.’
Adesina acknowledged The Gambia’s significance as a shareholder since its accession to the institution in 1974. He highlighted the Bank Group’s substantial support, amounting to approximately $540 million, and the current commitment of about $282 million. This funding spans various sectors, including energy, inequality, agriculture, governance, water and sanitation, and support for youth and women.
The importance of the Senegambia Bridge in facilitating cross-border trade was emphasised during the discussions. The bridge, financed by the Bank at a cost of approximately $104 million, has significantly improved trade between Senegal and The Gambia, benefiting the broader West African region.
As The Gambia faces the impacts of Russia’s war in Ukraine, including rising food insecurity and commodity prices, the AfDB has
stepped in to provide about $19 million to enhance food production. This support aims to lead the country towards s
elf-sufficiency in rice production.
Furthermore, the Bank Group’s approval of a new $21 million project will extend electricity access to around 1.3 million people in rural areas. Adesina also conveyed the Bank’s readiness to support the establishment of Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Banks, new financial institutions designed to bolster young Gambian entrepreneurs. Additionally, the Bank is assisting the implementation of the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative in The Gambia, which will provide accessible funding for women entrepreneurs.
Adesina praised President Barrow’s commitment to infrastructure development, emphasising its crucial role in national progress. ‘There is no development without infrastructure,’ President Barrow stated, stressing that infrastructure remains his top priority.
The AfDB’sper unique position to provide long-term concessional financing and advisory services makes it one of The Gambia’s preferred development partners, enabling the nation to accelerate structural transformation and address fragility drivers effectively. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing the prosperity and development of The Gambia.
