Gambia

The Republic of The Gambia, commonly known simply as The Gambia, is the smallest country on mainland Africa, extending along both banks of the Gambia River and almost entirely surrounded by Senegal, with a short Atlantic coastline. Despite its small size, The Gambia possesses a rich cultural and historical legacy, shaped by Islamic trade networks, European colonialism, and post-independence political transitions. Today, it remains a low-income West African nation working toward democratic consolidation and sustainable development.

Historical Background

The history of The Gambia is deeply intertwined with trans-Saharan trade routes and early Islamic expansion across West Africa. By the 10th century, Muslim merchants from North Africa had established settlements along the Gambia River, transforming the region into a commercial hub for gold, ivory, and enslaved people.
From the 16th century onward, European powers—first the Portuguese, followed by the French and British—competed for control of river trade. The British colony established in 1664 became a centre for the trans-Atlantic slave trade, contributing to the forced exportation of millions of Africans. After Britain abolished slavery in the 19th century, it formalised political control, declaring The Gambia a Crown Colony and Protectorate, laying the administrative framework for modern governance.
The Gambia gained independence on 18 February 1965, initially within the Commonwealth under a constitutional monarchy. It became a republic in 1970, with Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara as its first president. In an attempt at regional integration, The Gambia and Senegal formed the Senegambia Confederation (1982–1989), aimed at unifying defence and foreign policy, but differing political systems led to its collapse.
In 1994, a coup led by Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh ended Jawara’s rule. Jammeh’s 22-year regime was characterised by authoritarianism, human rights violations, and corruption. His defeat in the 2016 presidential election by Adama Barrow, leader of a broad opposition coalition, marked the first peaceful democratic transition in Gambian history. Jammeh initially refused to step down but was forced into exile following ECOWAS military intervention.
Since 2016, President Adama Barrow has focused on institutional reforms, transitional justice, and economic recovery. Re-elected in 2021, Barrow’s administration continues to face challenges including constitutional reform, governance capacity, and security sector restructuring.

Geography and Environment

Location: Western Africa, bordered by Senegal and the North Atlantic OceanCoordinates: 13°28′ N, 16°34′ WArea: 11,300 sq km (land 10,120 sq km; water 1,180 sq km)Coastline: 80 kmLand boundaries: 749 km (entirely with Senegal)
The country follows the Gambia River for about 1,094 km, which defines its shape and economic life. The terrain consists mainly of floodplains and low hills, with the highest point at 63 m near Sabi.
Climate: Tropical; a hot, rainy season (June–November) and a cooler, dry season (November–May).Natural resources: Fish, clay, silica sand, titanium, tin, and zircon.
Land use (2022):

• Agricultural land: 62.6%
• Forest: 22.8%
• Other: 14.5%

Environmental challenges: Deforestation, desertification, and water pollution caused by slash-and-burn farming and population pressure. The Gambia is a signatory to major environmental conventions including the Paris Climate Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

People and Society

Population (2024): 2,523,327Urban population: 64.5%Population growth rate: 2.16%Median age: 20.2 yearsLife expectancy: 68.4 yearsLiteracy rate: 51.6% (male 65.3%, female 40.5%)
Ethnic composition:

• Mandinka/Jahanka – 33.3%
• Fulani/Tukulor – 18.2%
• Wolof – 12.9%
• Jola – 11%
• Serahuleh – 7.2%
• Serer – 3.5%
• Others – 13.9%

Languages:

• Official: English
• Local: Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, Jola, and Serahuleh

Religion:

• Muslim: 96.4%
• Christian: 3.5%
• Traditional/Other: 0.1%

Health and social indicators:

• Infant mortality: 35.7 per 1,000 live births
• Maternal mortality: 354 per 100,000 live births
• Physician density: 0.09 per 1,000 population
• Access to improved water: 85.6%
• Access to sanitation: 59.4%

Education:

• Public expenditure: 2.7% of GDP
• School life expectancy: ~10 years

Progress in education and healthcare has been steady, though rural-urban disparities, gender inequality, and child marriage (23.1% before age 18) persist as major social challenges.

Government and Politics

Official name: Republic of The GambiaSystem: Presidential republicCapital: Banjul
Administrative divisions: 5 regions (Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, West Coast), 1 city (Banjul), 1 municipality (Kanifing).
Executive:

• President: Adama Barrow (since 2017; re-elected 2021)
• Vice President: Mohammed Jallow (since 2024)The president is directly elected by simple majority for a five-year term with no term limits—a unique feature among ECOWAS members.

Legislature:

• National Assembly (unicameral): 58 seats (53 elected, 5 appointed)
  • 2022 election results: NPP 18, UDP 15, NRP 4, Independents 12, Others 4
  • Women’s representation: 8.6%

Judiciary: The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body. The legal system blends English common law, Islamic (Sharia) law, and customary law. Judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.
National symbols:

• Flag: Horizontal stripes of red, blue, white, and green
• Motto: “Progress, Peace, Prosperity”
• Anthem: “For The Gambia, Our Homeland”
• National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February

Foreign relations: The Gambia maintains strong ties with Senegal, ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, as well as development partnerships with the EU, USA, and World Bank.

Economy

The Gambian economy is small, agriculture-based, and reliant on groundnuts, tourism, fisheries, and remittances, which constitute over 20% of GDP.
Key indicators (2024):

• GDP (nominal): $2.5 billion
• GDP per capita (PPP): $3,000
• GDP growth: 5.7%
• Inflation: 11.6%
• Unemployment: 6.5%
• Poverty rate: 53.4%

Sectoral composition:

• Agriculture: 24.1%
• Industry: 14.7%
• Services: 53.9%

Main products: Groundnuts, rice, millet, maize, cassava, palm fruit, and vegetables.Industries: Food processing, textiles, fish exports, light manufacturing, and tourism.
Trade (2024):

• Exports: $838 million (main partners: Kazakhstan, Guinea-Bissau, China, India)
• Imports: $1.55 billion (main partners: Kazakhstan, China, Senegal, India)
• Remittances: 21.1% of GDP
• External debt: $902 million (2023)

Economic growth remains hindered by infrastructure deficits, currency volatility, and inflationary pressures. The IMF’s Extended Credit Facility supports fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at promoting stability and inclusive growth.

Energy and Infrastructure

Electricity access: 65.4% (urban 82.8%, rural 31.2%)Installed capacity: 162,000 kW (2023)Energy sources: 99% fossil fuels, <1% renewables (solar and wind)
The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) oversees the expansion of rural electrification with support from the World Bank and African Development Bank. Renewable energy projects are being prioritised to reduce import dependency and achieve climate resilience.
Transport:

• Ports: Banjul (main maritime gateway)
• Airport: Banjul International Airport
• Roads: The Trans-Gambia Highway links northern and southern Senegal, forming a vital regional trade corridor.

Telecommunications:

• Mobile subscriptions: 2.68 million (penetration 101%)
• Internet users: 46% of population (2023)

Defence and Security

The Gambian Armed Forces (GAF) consist of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Republican National Guard, numbering about 3,000–4,000 personnel.

• Military expenditure: 0.6% of GDP (2024)
• Roles: National defence, peacekeeping, and disaster relief
• Security support: The ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG), comprising troops from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, continues to assist with military reform and stabilisation.

Coup attempts, the latest in 2022, underscore lingering fragility, though the armed forces remain under civilian oversight.

Culture and Heritage

The Gambia’s culture reflects a fusion of Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, and Jola traditions, unified by Islamic values and centuries of trade. Music, oral storytelling, and community rituals are central to national identity, with griots serving as custodians of history and heritage.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites – historical locations central to the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
• Stone Circles of Senegambia – ancient megalithic burial monuments shared with Senegal.

Tourism, driven by cultural heritage and Atlantic beaches, remains a cornerstone of the economy, complemented by growing ecotourism and wildlife conservation efforts.