WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  
14 March 2018  
(18-1536) Page: 1/91 
Trade Policy Review Body   
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
REPORT BY THE SECRET ARIAT  
THE GAMBIA 
Revision  
This report, prepared for the third Trade Policy Review of The Gambia, has been drawn up by the 
WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility. The Secretariat has, as required by the Agreement 
establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement 
Establishing the World Trade Organization), sought clarification from The Gambia on its trade 
policies and practices.  
 
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Mr. Thoma s Friedheim 
(tel: 022 739 5083), Mr. Xinyi Li (tel: 022 739 5579)  and Ms. Takako Ikezuki (tel: 022 739 5534).  
 
Document WT/TPR/G/ 365 contains the policy statement  submitted by The Gambia.  
 
 
Note: This report was drafted in English.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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CONTENTS  
SUMMARY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  6 
1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  ................................ ................................ ...........................  9 
1.1  Main Features of the Economy  ................................ ................................ .......................  9 
1.2  Recent economic developments  ................................ ................................ ......................  9 
1.3  Developments in Trade and Investment  ................................ ................................ ......... 14 
1.3.1   Trends and patterns in merchandise and services trade  ................................ ................. 14 
1.3.2   Trends and patterns in FDI  ................................ ................................ ........................ 17 
2  TRADE AND INVESTMENT  REGIMES  ................................ ................................ ...........  19 
2.1  General Framework  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....19 
2.2  Trade Policy Formulation and Objectives  ................................ ................................ ......... 20 
2.3  Trade Agreements and Arrangements  ................................ ................................ ............ 22 
2.3.1   WTO ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................... 22 
2.3.2   Regional an d preferential agreements  ................................ ................................ ......... 23 
2.3.2.1   Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)  ................................ ............. 23 
2.3.3   Other agreements and arrangements  ................................ ................................ .......... 24 
2.3.3.1   Preferential treatment accorded by The Gambia's trading partners  ............................... 24 
2.3.3.2   Others  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 25 
2.4  Investment Regime  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....26 
3  TRADE POLICIES AND P RACTICES BY MEASURE  ................................ .........................  29 
3.1  Measures Directly Affecting Imports  ................................ ................................ ............... 29 
3.1.1   Customs procedures, valuation, and requirements  ................................ ........................ 29 
3.1.2   Rules of origin  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 30 
3.1.3   Tariffs  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 31 
3.1.3.1   Applied MFN  customs duties  ................................ ................................ .................... 31 
3.1.3.2   Bound duties  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 35 
3.1.3.3   Tariff exemptions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...36 
3.1.3.4   Tariff preferences  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...37 
3.1.4   Other charges affecting imports  ................................ ................................ .................. 37 
3.1.5   Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  ................................ ............................. 39 
3.1.5.1   Import prohibitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ 39 
3.1.5.2   Import restrictions  ................................ ................................ ................................ .39 
3.1.5.3   Import licensing  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....39 
3.1.6   Anti-dumping, countervailing, and safeguard measures  ................................ ................. 40 
3.1.7   Other measures affecting imports  ................................ ................................ ............... 40 
3.2  Measures Directly Affecting Exports  ................................ ................................ ............... 40 
3.2.1   Customs procedures and requirements  ................................ ................................ ........ 40 
3.2.2   Taxes, charges, and levies  ................................ ................................ ......................... 40 
3.2.3   Export prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  ................................ .............................. 40 
3.2.4   Export support and promotion  ................................ ................................ .................... 41 WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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3.2.5   Export finance, insurance, and guarantees  ................................ ................................ ...41 
3.3  Measures Affecting Production and Trade ................................ ................................ ........ 41 
3.3.1   Incentives  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 41 
3.3.2   Standards and other technical requirements  ................................ ................................ 42 
3.3.3   Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements  ................................ ................................ .....43 
3.3.4   Competition policy and price controls  ................................ ................................ .......... 45 
3.3.4.1   Competition policy  ................................ ................................ ................................ .45 
3.3.4.2   Price controls  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 47 
3.3.5   State trading, state -owned enterprises, and privatization  ................................ .............. 47 
3.3.6   Government procurement  ................................ ................................ .......................... 47 
3.3.7   Intellectual property rights  ................................ ................................ ......................... 48 
3.3.7.1   Industrial property  ................................ ................................ ................................ .48 
3.3.7.2   Copyrights  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 50 
3.3.7.3   Enforcement  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 50 
4  TRADE POLICIES BY S ECTOR  ................................ ................................ ......................  51 
4.1  Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries  ................................ ................................ ................ 51 
4.1.1   Main features  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 51 
4.1.2   Agricultural policy  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....52 
4.1.3   Key commodities  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......54 
4.1.4   Fisheries  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 56 
4.2  Mining and Energy  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......58 
4.3  Manufacturing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 58 
4.4  Services ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 59 
4.4.1   Financial services  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......59 
4.4.1.1   Banking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 59 
4.4.1.2   Insurance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 60 
4.4.2   Communications  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......61 
4.4.2.1   Telecommunications  ................................ ................................ ............................... 61 
4.4.2.2   Postal services  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......63 
4.4.3   Transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 63 
4.4.3.1   Air transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 63 
4.4.3.2   Maritime transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ .65 
4.4.3.3   Road transport  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......66 
4.4.4   Tourism  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 67 
5  APPENDIX TABLES  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 68 
 
CHARTS  
 
Chart 1.1 Government revenues and grants, 2016  ................................ ................................ .12 
Chart 1.2 Revenue foregone due to tariff and tax  exemptions, 2016  ................................ ......... 13 
Chart 1.3 The Gambia's merchandise exports, 2010 -15 ................................ .......................... 15 WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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Chart 1.4 Composition of merchandise trade, 2010 and 2015  ................................ .................. 16 
Chart 1.5 Direction of merchandise trade, 2010 and 2015  ................................ ....................... 17 
Chart 1.6 FDI in The Gambia, 2005 -07 and 2010 -15 ................................ .............................. 18 
Chart 2.1 Hierarchy of government trade policy, 2017  ................................ ............................ 22 
Chart 3.1 Distribution of applied MFN tariffs – The Ga mbia Customs Tariff 2010 versus 
ECOWAS CET  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 34 
Chart 3.2 Tariff shifts from The Gambia's customs tariff (2010) to ECOWAS CET (2017)  ............. 35 
Chart 4.1 Production trend of crops, 2010 -16 ................................ ................................ ........ 52 
Chart 4.2 Ministry of Agriculture budgetary expenditures, 2011 -16 ................................ .......... 54 
Chart 4.3 Fish production in The Gambia, 2010 -16 ................................ ................................ .58 
 
TABLES  
 
Table 1.1 Selected macroeconomic indicators, 2010 -16 ................................ .......................... 10 
Table 2.1 Ministries and selected agencies, July 2017  ................................ ............................. 19 
Table 2.2 Main trade policy developments in The Gambia, 2010 -17 ................................ .......... 21 
Table 3.1 Time and cost for imports to The Gambia, 2017  ................................ ....................... 29 
Table 3.2 Structure of applied MFN tariffs – The Gambia Customs Tariff 2010 and ECOWAS 
CET  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................... 32 
Table 3.3 The Gambia Customs Tariff 2010 and ECOWAS CET, b y band  ................................ ....34 
Table 3.4 Tax revenues, 2010 -16 ................................ ................................ ......................... 37 
Table 3.5 Selected indirect tax revenues, by source, 2011 -16................................ .................. 37 
Table 3.6 Excise tax and excise duty rates, January 2018 ................................ ....................... 38 
Table 3.7 Time and cost for exports from The Gambia, 2017  ................................ ................... 40 
Table 3.8 Value thresholds for procurement approved by GPPA, 2017  ................................ .......48 
Table 3.9 Public procurement, by method, 2011 -14 ................................ ............................... 48 
Table 3.10 Trademark applications, 2011 -16 ................................ ................................ ......... 49 
Table 4.1 Agricultural production by main crops, 2010 -16 ................................ ....................... 52 
Table 4.2 Selected telecom indicators, 2011 –16 ................................ ................................ .....61 
Table 4.3 Air traffic in The Gambia, 2011 -16 ................................ ................................ ......... 64 
Table 4.4 Cargo throughput at the Port of Banjul, 2011 -16 ................................ ..................... 65 
Table 4.5 Transit shipments through the Port of Banjul, 2010 -16 ................................ ............. 66 
 
APPENDIX TABLES  
 
Table A1.1 Cumulative revenue loss due to exemptions, 2016  ................................ ................. 68 
Table A1.2 Merchandise exports by product group, excluding re -exports, 2010 -15 ..................... 69 
Table A1.3 Merchandise exports by destination, excluding re -exports, 2010 -15 ......................... 70 
Table A1.4 Merchandise imports by product group, 2010 -15 ................................ ................... 71 
Table A1.5 Merchandise  imports by origin, 2010 -15 ................................ ............................... 72 
Table A1.6 Main re -exported products by HS 2 -digit level and destination in 2014  ..................... 73 WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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Table A2.1 Acts of the National Assembly and selected legal notices, 2010 -16 ........................... 75 
Table A2.2 WTO notifications by The Gambia, 2010 -17 ................................ ........................... 78 
 
 
Table A3.1 Structure of the ECOWAS CET  ................................ ................................ ............. 80 
Table A3.2 The Gambia's applied MFN tariff summary, 2010 and 2016  ................................ .....82 
Table A3. 3 Tariff changes comparing the ECOWAS CET with the 2010 customs tariff  ................. 83 
Table A3 . 4 Priority sectors for investment, 2017  ................................ ................................ ...87 
Table A3. 5 State -owned enterprises, 2017  ................................ ................................ ........... 88 
 
 
Table A4.1 Budget allocations for service units under the Ministry of Agriculture, 2016  ............... 89 
Table A4.2 The Gambia's main traded agricultural products (excluding re -exports) by HS 
4-digit level, 2010 -15 ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 90 
 
 WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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SUMMARY  
1. The Gambia has maintained its generally open trade and investment regime since the last 
TPR in 2010.  The main trade policy reform has been the adoption of the five -band ECOWAS 
Common External Tariff (CET) from 1 January 2017.   
2. The Gambia is the smallest country on the African mainland. It ranks among the poorest 
countries in the world, with a per capita income of less than US$500 and approximately half of the 
populatio n of two million living below the poverty line (US$1.25/day).  
3. The Gambia has weathered the global financial crisis relatively well, recording solid economic 
growth in the period 2007 -10 (averaging over 5.6%). However, real GDP growth has been 
considera bly weaker, averaging 2.9% in the period 2010 -16, owing to mismanagement of public 
finances and mounting public debt, compounded by external shocks.  
4. The Gambia's new Government is facing a series of economic challenges, particularly in the 
area of publ ic finance. The State continues to have an important role in the economy ; virtually all 
state-owned enterprises are in financial distress. High government borrowing combined with tight 
monetary policy conditions, resulting in very high interest rates, ha s crowded out the private 
sector. While the country is open to foreign investment, economic growth has been hampered by 
weaknesses of the business environment, including a complex tax system and infrastructure 
bottlenecks. Foreign direct investment (FDI) flo ws to The Gambia have been volatile, and remain 
far below levels preceding the global financial crisis.  
5. The Gambia's economy relies mainly on services (66% of GDP in 2016) as the main driver of 
growth, and a volatile, drought -prone agriculture sector (2 1% of GDP in 2016). Remittances and 
international aid play an important role in sustaining the economy. In the services sector, tourism 
contributes about 16 -20% of GDP and has been the largest foreign exchange earner, albeit in a 
difficult environment (due  to an Ebola outbreak in neighbouring countries). Wholesale and retail 
trade is also a major services sector of the economy (about 25% of GDP), reflecting the 
contribution of re -exports (mainly textiles), which accounted for about 70 -80% of total exports i n 
recent years.  The manufacturing sector (about 5 -6% of GDP) caters largely for the small domestic 
market. The fisheries sector contributes about 2% to GDP. A moratorium on the industrial fisheries 
was lifted in May 2017.  
6. The Gambia's merchandise impor ts far outstrip exports. The export base is very small  
(US$19.1  million in 2015) , consisting mainly of groundnuts and fish. The main trading partners for 
exports are the European Union, Viet Nam, India and China; imports come mainly from the 
European Union , West Africa (Côte  d'Ivoire and Senegal), Brazil and China.  
7. The Gambia deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Tra de Facilitation Agreement on 
11 July 2017. The Gambia is a member of the least developed countries (LDC) and African, 
Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) groups, the African Group, the G -90, and the "W52" sponsors. In the 
period under review, The Gambia provided some 20 notifications to the WTO,  although some 
notifications (e.g. domestic support  in agriculture ) are outstanding.  
8. The WTO and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) trade regime 
provide the basic parameters for The Gambia's trade policies. The Ministry of Trade, In dustry, 
Regional Integration, and Employment (MOTIE) is responsible for formulating and coordinating 
trade policy. Some of the trade policy programmes and plans, including on agricultural policy, have 
expired or may benefit from a review of direction.  
9. In January 2017, The Gambia implemented – with a two -year delay – the new five -tiered 
ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET). Except for goods covered by the ECOWAS Trade 
Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), which enter duty free, The Gambia applies the CET to all o f its 
trading partners (including other ECOWAS members) at present , without any exceptions or 
supplementary protection measures allowed under ECOWAS regulations. All imported goods are 
subject to the ECOWAS Community levy and the African Union levy.  
10. For The Gambia, the change from the national customs tariff (2010) to the ECOWAS CET is a 
major tariff reform, entailing adjustments in the customs duty rates for nearly two thirds  (4,000) WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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of all tariff lines. The ECOWAS CET classification consists of essen tial social commodities (duty -
free); essential commodities, raw materials, and capital goods (rate of 5%); intermediate products 
(rate of 10%); consumer goods (rate of 20%); and specific goods for economic development (rate 
of 35%). Overall, the implementa tion of the new ECOWAS CET means a small tariff cut for the 
Gambian economy.  The simple average applied MFN tariff rate of the CET (12.3%) is lower than 
that of the Gambian customs tariff of 2010 (14.1%), and a wider range of products is now 
classified as inputs (essential commodities, raw materials, and capital goods), which have had 
their tariffs reduced to 5%. The highest average ta riffs apply to live animals and meat (24.1%, up 
from 15.2%), and clothing (20%). However, the ECOWAS CET is considered probl ematic in a 
number of sectors from the point of view of competitiveness and food security.  
11. None of the ECOWAS CET rates exceeds The Gambia's tariff bindings, but there is a large 
gap between the average bound rate (103.4%) and the average applied MFN rate (12.3%). Most 
tariffs on agricultural products are bound at a ceiling rate of 110% (some 90% of all agriculture 
tariff lines), while the binding coverage of non -agricultural tariff lines is low (0.7% of total 
non-agriculture tariff lines).  This reduce s the predictability of the tariff regime, although in practice 
the ECOWAS CET is effectively the bound customs tariff for The Gambia with a commitment to 
apply these rates on an MFN basis.  
12. The Gambian customs procedures with respect to customs valuati on, rules of origin, and 
transit are aligned with ECOWAS rules. The Gambia has notified the WTO that its laws, regulations 
and administrative procedures are in line with the provisions of the WTO Agreement on Customs 
Valuation.  The Inter -State Road Transit  Scheme of ECOWAS was implemented in The Gambia in 
July 2013. The Gambia uses ASYCUDA++ as its customs management system.  
13. Most goods can be traded without any restrictions. Although it is difficult to establish an 
exhaustive inventory of non -tariff mea sures applied by The Gambia, some import prohibitions and 
restrictions are maintained, mainly for reasons of national security, to protect public morals, and 
to ensure compliance with international commitments. Nonetheless, The Gambia has notified the 
WTO that it does not maintain an import licensing system. It has never used trade contingency 
measures.  
14. In general, export procedures are similar to those applied to imports. The Gambia does not 
levy export taxes, except on precious metal scrap and waste.  It has imposed, from time to time, 
export bans on timber.   
15. The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) is responsible for investment 
and export promotion, administering the Special Investment Certificate (SIC) scheme and the 
export proce ssing zone near Banjul International Airport. SICs offer a range of incentives (with 
minimum FDI of US$250,000 in priority sectors and areas).  
16. Customs duties, excises, and VAT are the  Government's principal sources of revenue. They 
fall mainly on impor ted goods since the domestic industrial base is very small. Imported goods 
destined for re -export are also subject to customs duties and import taxes. A VAT regime was 
introduced in January 2013 (replacing the sales tax), which is applicable to all taxable  goods and 
services at a standard rate of 15%. However, substantial import duty and tax exemptions have 
been granted on imports of capital and intermediate goods to safeguard the competitiveness of the 
economy.  
17. Selected products and services are excisa ble. The taxation system differs between imported 
and domestically -produced goods. Excise "duties" apply to certain locally -produced goods and 
telecommunications services; the rates are ad valorem . Imported goods are subject to excise 
"taxes"; the rates ar e specific for some products and ad valorem  for other items. Whether or not 
there is differential treatment between imported and locally -produced goods depends on the price 
of the product.  
18. The Gambia has made progress in the area of standards and tech nical requirements. The 
Gambia Standards Bureau (TGSB) became operational in 2011 and has since promulgated 
33 standards, most of them directly adopted from international standards. The TGSB participates 
in the ECOWAS Standard Harmonization process (ECOSHA M). There are currently no technical 
regulations in force. Regarding SPS measures, a new Food Safety and Quality Act entered into WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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force in 2011, followed by the establishment of a Food Safety and Quality Authority. The animal 
health and plant protection re gimes, on the other hand, appear to be obsolete and require 
modernization with international assistance.  
19. Competition rules are governed by the Competition Act of 2007, with The Gambia 
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC) as the enfor cement agency. The 
GCCPC has been taking a more active role with investigations followed by remedial actions, and 
market studies, notably in the rice and sugar markets.  
20. The Gambia has reformed its government procurement regime in line with internation al best 
practice, according to the authorities. The Public Procurement Authority Act was amended in 2014, 
and an Independent Complaints Review Board has been established to handle disputes. The 
procurement thresholds remain unchanged; no procurement valued  above the thresholds is 
allowed unless prior approval has been obtained from the Authority.  The approval for projects 
valued at more than D  10 million now rests with the Major Tender Board. International competitive 
tendering may only be used if the goods , works, or services are not available at competitive prices 
and conditions from at least three suppliers in The Gambia.  
21. The Gambia amended its Industrial Property Act in 2015, extending the protection period for 
patents from 15 years to 20 years; intr oducing provisions to ensure conformity with the Madrid 
Protocol relating to the international registration of marks; and increasing the penalty against 
infringements. The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization is the substantive examiner 
for patent and utility model applications. Geographical indications are protected as collective 
marks.  
22. With regard to developments in the services sector, the banking sector is liquid and 
profitable, according to the authorities. Nevertheless, banks tend to be overly exposed to 
government debt, which may increase risks in the long run. Most banks are foreign -owned. The 
payments system, including the clearing and settlement infrastructure, has been modernized 
through technical improvements. The telecom infr astructure has been substantially upgraded, with 
the establishment of the African Coast to Europe submarine cable landing station in 2012 and the 
completion of a nationwide fibre -optic backbone network in 2015. The new National Information 
and Communicatio n Infrastructure Policy 2017 -2025 aims at technology  neutral  regulatory 
environment  and more affordable broadband access in the country. Two out of four mobile carriers 
are foreign -owned.  
23. About half of the Gambian population relies on subsistence farm ing and a few cash crops 
(mainly groundnuts) for their livelihood. Yet, the country is a net food importer by a wide margin, 
being vulnerable to drought and other natural disasters. The agriculture sector also suffers from 
under -investment and low producti vity. Most of the country's rice needs (the main staple) are 
imported, but the Government has ambitious plans to increase production with the aim of 
becoming self -sufficient in rice.  
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1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT   
1.1  Main Features  of the Economy  
The Gambia is the smallest country on the African mainland.1 The Gambia ranks among the 1.1.  
poorest countries in the world with a per  capita income of US$4 87 in 2016  and approximately half 
of the population of 2 million living below the poverty  line (US$1.25/daily).2 The Gambia was 
ranked 173rd (out of 188 countries ) on the 2015 Human Development Index. The Gambia has a 
long history of migration, which has deteriorated in recent years as economic mismanagement and 
external shocks have moved the country close to economic crisis .3 
The Gambian economy is little diversified relying mainly on agriculture, tourism, re-export 1.2.  
trade ; it also relies substantially on remittances and international aid. Its status as a regional 
entrepôt centre has been in de cline.  Agriculture is one of the main pillar s of the economy, 
contributing about 2 1% to GDP in 2016  (Table 1.1). A pproximately 46 % of the population4 works 
in agriculture. Swings between good and poor harvests have a significant  impact on economic 
performa nce. Given that  The Gambia lies in the Sahel belt, agriculture is vulnerable to natural 
disasters (drought) and the country faces chronic food deficits. Subsistence agriculture 
predominates ; groundnuts are the leading cash crop . The fisheries sector contributes about 2% to 
GDP. The fishery resources are important for food security as well as in terms of export earnings .  
Manufacturing contributes about 5 -6% to annual GDP and caters largely for the small 1.3.  
domestic market ; its GDP share has recently been in decline  against the background of high input 
costs and tax es, and competition from imports, amongst others . Other main industries include fish 
processing, and the brewery and water bottling .  
The services sector has been the main  driver of growth in the period under review, 1.4.  
contributing a bout 66% of GDP in 2016  (up from 56.3% in 2010) . The tourism sector has 
contributed approximately 16-20% of GDP  and has been the largest foreign exchange earner . 
Wholesale and retail t rade was also a major sector of the economy (contributing about 25 % of 
GDP), reflecting the importance of re -exports.  
The Gambia's new government faces a series of economic challenges. The country has been 1.5.  
running large budget deficits leading to substantial  levels o f public debt, while the debt service  has 
significantly limited the G overnment's fiscal space. The State  continues to have an important role 
in the economy ; virtually all state -owned enterprises are in financial distress and constitute a 
major fiscal burden. High government borrowing combined with tight monetary policy conditions 
have crowded out the private sector with very high interest rates. Economic grow th has also been 
hampered by weaknesses in the business environment (particularly the tax system), infrastructure 
bottlenecks (notably ports and bridges), and the high price of electricity (along with frequent 
power outages).5  
1.2  Recent economic developments  
The Gambia has weathered the global financial crisis relatively well. The country recorded 1.6.  
solid economic growth in the period 2007 -10 (averaging 5.6%), despite being hit by a 
crisis-related drop in tourism and remittances. In the period following the las t TPR in 2010, the 
economic performance was considerably weaker (growth averaged 2.9% in 2010 -16), owing partly 
to mounting public debt compounded by external shocks.  
                                                
1 The largest towns are Serrekunda (with a population of 382,000) and the capital Banjul (31,000).  
2 World Food Programme (2017), The Gambia Country Brief, January 2017. Viewed at:  
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/The%20Gambia_CB_Jan -17%20OIM.pdf . 
3 Delegation of the European Union to The Gambia, "New Gambia, new migration?", 29 March 2017. 
Viewed at: https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/gambia/23698/new -gambia -new-migration_en . 
4 Aged 7 years and above (Integrated Household Survey 2015/16).  
5 IMF (2015), The Gambia – 2015 Article IV Consultation , IMF Country Report No.  15/272, p. 29. 
Viewed at: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.aspx?sk=43306.0 . WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 Table 1.1 Selected macroeconomic indicato rs, 2010 -16  
  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016a 
Nominal GDP at market 
prices (Dalasi million)   26,679   26,641   29,273   32,498   35,436   39,927   43,263  
Nominal GDP at market 
prices (US$ million)   952   904   913   904   853   939   1,037  
Real GDP growth (annual %)  6.5 -4.3 5.9 4.8 0.9 4.3 2.2 
GDP per capita (US$)   579   532  543  450  446  476  487 
Population (million)   1.6   1.7   1.7   2.0   1.9   2.0   2.1  
GDP by economic activity (% of GDP at basic prices)  
Agriculture  30.7 23.6 23.5 22.6 20.3 20.5 20.6 
 Crops  19.9 12.0 12.4 11.1 8.6 8.4 8.1 
 Livestock  8.4 9.0 8.7 9.1 9.4 9.6 9.9 
 Forestry  0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 
 Fishing  1.9 2.0 2.0 1.9 2.0 2.0 2.1 
Manufacturing  5.0 5.8 6.0 5.8 5.5 5.1 4.8 
Construction  3.9 4.5 4.8 4.8 5.1 6.1 5.6 
Mining and  quarrying  2.8 3.1 3.2 3.3 2.6 2.3 2.1 
Electricity, gas and water 
supply  1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 
Services  56.3 61.7 61.2 62.4 65.2 64.7 65.6 
Wholesale and retail trade  24.3 25.6 25.3 24.4 25.6 25.2 25.2 
Hotels and  restaurants  2.2 2.8 2.7 2.9 3.6 3.0 3.5 
Transport, storage, 
communication  12.4 13.7 14.2 15.9 15.6 16.2 16.3 
of which: c ommunication  8.4 9.2 9.6 11.0 10.2 11.0 11.5 
Finance and i nsurance  9.3 11.1 10.9 11.1 12.0 12.1 12.4 
Real estate, renting and 
business activities  3.4 3.5 3.2 3.2 3.1 2.9 2.9 
Public administration  2.1 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.4 2.4 2.4 
Education  1.1 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 
Health and social work  1.1 1.2 1.1 1.0 1.3 1.2 1.3 
Other community, social 
and personal services  0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 
Government  fiscal operation (% of GDP)  
Revenue  18.9 21.2 25.3 18.5 22.2 21.6a 20.0a 
Expenditures  23.6 26.0 29.7 27.1 28.0 29.7a 29.8a 
Overall balance  -4.7 -4.7 -4.4 -8.5 -5.8 -8.1a -9.7a 
Prices and exchange rates         
CPI (%age change)  5.0 4.8 4.3 5.7 5.9 6.8 7.2 
Dalasi/US$  28.0 29.5 32.1 36.0 41.5 42.5 41.7 
Nominal effective exchange 
rate (index, 2000 = 100)b 100.0  91.7 88.1 79.1 69.5 66.3 67.0 
Real effective exchange rate  
(index, 2000 = 100)b 100.0  92.4 90.1 83.4 76.1 75.8 80.7 
Public debt (% of GDP)  69.6 77.3 77.0 83.3 104.9  105.3a 120.2a 
 Domestic public debt  29.4 33.2 33.3 37.1 46.4 53.9a 67.9a 
 External public debt  40.2 44.1 43.7 46.2 58.4 51.4a 52.4a 
 External public debt  
(Millions of US$)  377.6  386.2  375.8  394.1  448.8  499.0a 504.2a 
External  sector (in Dalasi million, unless otherwise indicated)  
Current account  542 -3,363  -2,467  -3,526  -3,491  -4,535  -3,207  
% of GDP  2.0 -12.6 -8.4 -10.8 -9.9 -11.4 -7.4 
Goods and services  -1,379  -3,684  -3,802  -3,710  -7,425  -8,710  -7,758  
Goods  -2,964  -5,600  -6,392  -6,023  -8,633  -10,457  -8,137  
 Exports  3,926  3,014  4,028  4,732  5,141  4,871  3,971  
 Imports (f.o.b.)  -6,890  -8,614  -10,420  -10,755  -13,774  -15,328  -12,108  
Services  1,585  1,917  2,589  2,313  1,207  1,747  380 
 Exports  3,633  3,993  4,767  4,657  6,053  6,984  5,710  
 Imports  -2,047  -2,076  -2,178  -2,344  -4,846  -5,241  -5,326  
Income  -231 -1,226  -1,212  -1,064  -1,207  -1,509  -2,244  
Current transfers,  
of which:  2,152  1,547  2,547  1,248  5,142  5,683  6,794  
 Remittances  1,478  799 2,004  1,727  5,118  5,747  8,279  
 % of GDP 5.5 3.0 6.8 5.3 14.4 14.4 19.1 WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 11 - 
 
  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016a 
Capital and financial account  365 5,860  4,466  2,956  -280 2,138  467 
Capital account  1,065  1,355  1,973  566 1,631  880 446 
Financial account  -701 4,505  2,492  2,391  -1,912  1,258  25 
Errors and omissions  -1,229  -1,594  -876 383 1,373  2,436  2,319  
Overall balance  -321 903 1,123  -187 -2,398  38 -421 
Gross international reserves  
US$ millions  157.6  169.7  183.8  161.1  111.9  76.1a 59.8a 
Months of current year's 
imports of goods and services  4.7 5.5 5.5 5.2 3.3 2.0a 1.8a 
Months of  next year's imports 
of goods and services  5.1 5.1 6.0 4.8 3.7 2.3a 1.6a 
a Preliminary.  
b An increase means appreciation of the national currency.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities of The Gambia; Central Bank of The Gambia, Statistical 
online information.  Viewed at : http://www.cbg.gm/  [July 2017] ; IMF Country Report (2015) 
No. 15/272, September; IMF Country Report (2017) No. 17/179, June; IMF online information. 
Viewed at: http://elibrary -data.imf.org/DataExplorer.aspx  [July 2017]; and World Bank's World 
Development Indicator database. Viewed at: 
http://databank.worldbank.org/data/views/variableselection/selectvariables.aspx?source=world -
development -indicators  [July 2017].  
In 2010, the Gambian economy continued to perform well with real GDP growing by 6.5%. 1.7.  
The economy expanded despite an alr eady high debt burden ( around 70% of GDP) and interest 
payments on the public debt consuming nearly 20% of government revenues.6 However, i n 2011, 
real GDP dropped by 4.3%, mainly as a consequence of severe drought and a poor harvest 
(Table  1.1). The  Gover nment declared a state of emergency in early 2012, triggering relief imports 
of food, seeds and fertilizer to assist about a quarter of the population facing food shortages.7 In 
the course of 2012, the economy recovered from the 2011 contraction and posted  5.9% growth, in 
part owing to a regular harvest and an increase in touris t arrivals.   
In 2013, economic gr ew by 4.8%.  The introduction of VAT in January 2013 marks one of the 1.8.  
main economic  reforms implemented in The Gambia since the last TPR . The VAT replaced the sales 
tax with the objective of broadening the tax base  (see also Table 2.2) . Nonetheless, the fiscal  
deficit surged to 8.5% of GDP. In 2014, GDP growth was down to less than 1% , as the country 
experienced another poor harvest  due to late rain s, and the Ebola outbreak in Liberia, Guinea and 
Sierra Leone prompted a sharp drop in tourist arrivals in the 2014 -15 season (Table 4 .3). In 2014, 
the public debt for the first time exceeded 100% of GDP , largely on account  of emergency 
spending for state-owned enterprises ( SOEs). Fuel subsidies were eliminated in 2014.8 In 2015 , 
the Gambian economy recovered (GDP up by 4.3%) , as farmers harvested an above -average crop. 
Fiscal policy in 2015 remained expansionary with a budget deficit of around 6% of GDP.  
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that real GDP growth in 2016 would be at 1.9.  
2.2%, due to limited foreign exchange, tourism being adversely affected by the political impasse  
(Section 2.1) , and a weaker harvest. Parts of the country were affected by heavy rains and 
windstorms. A large part of the budget deficit was due to a bail -out of SOEs that had defaulted on 
their external  debts. 
Fiscal policy  
The Gambia's fiscal deficit has been financed mainl y through domestic borrowing and 1.10.   
monetization (about half of the deficit in 2015), as the Central Bank converts government 
overdrafts to short -term treasury bills (charging market interest rates). In accordance with the 
Central Bank Act, the Government is entitled to borrow 10% of a preceding year's tax revenues 
from the Central Bank.  
                                                
6 IMF (2015), The Gambia – 2015 Article IV Consultation , IMF Country Report No.  15/272, p. 29. 
Viewed at: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.aspx?sk=43306.0 . 
7 The donor community provided about US$14.3 million in drought relief (Central Bank (2012), p. 26).  
8 IMF (2015), The Gambia – 2015 Article IV Consultation , IMF Country Report No.  15/272,  p. 29. 
Viewed at: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.aspx?sk=43306.0 . WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 12 - 
 
 The public debt (do mestic and external) reached 105.3 % of GDP in 2015 (Table 1.1). The 1.11.   
debt service consumed nearly 40% of the Government's tax revenues, constraining public sector 
investments for development. Capital expenditures in 2015 (D 2 billion) accounted for about 20% 
of the government expenditures (including net lending) and were mostly financed from external 
sources. In th e first nine months of 2016, ca pital expenditures dropped to D 0.8 billion.9 While 
budget grants for development projects have been an important source of revenue, donors 
withdrew their budget support under the previous government.10 
The Gambia's tax system comprises  a host of taxes and charges (Section 2.4). 1.12.   
The Government's principal source s of revenue are "international trade taxes" (i.e. customs duties , 
excise taxes  and VAT  collected on imports ) (Chart 1.1). Entrepôt trade (including importation of 
goods destined for re -exports) is subject to these taxes.   
Chart 1.1 Government revenues and grants, 2016  
(Dalasi million and % of total revenues and grants)  
 
Note:  The total for government revenue s and grants in 2016 is not consistent with IMF data in Table 1.1.  
a Including environmental tax with an amount of Dalasi 0.41 million.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
To safeguard the competitiveness of the economy , various exemptions have been grante d 1.13.   
by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and other agencies ( Gambia Investment & Export 
Promotion Agency – GIEPA) to allow duty -free importation of capital and intermediate goods  
(Section 3 .3.2). Fiscal (and tariff ) policy has feature d a relativel y high share of revenue foregone 
due to such import duty and tax exemptions (Chart 1.2 and Table A1.1). The revenue foregone  
amounted to D1.734 billion in 2015 , equivalent to about 40% of The  Gambia Revenue Authority's 
revenue projections on international trade in 2015. In 2016, the revenue foregone amounted to 
D1.488  billion. Exemptions on customs duties and VAT (on imported goods) accounted for most of 
the reven ue foregone , followed by excise ta x exemptions on imported goods.  
                                                
9 Central Bank of The Gambia (2016) , Quarterly Bull etin, January -March ; Ministry of Finance and 
Economic Affairs (2016), "Budget Speech 2017", p. 14.  
10 During the period 2010 -17, The Gambia only received budget support in 2012 (IMF 2015, p. 29).  
Taxes on income & 
wealth
(1,812 mn., 17.6%)
Stamp duties
(33 mn., 0.3%)
Excise "duties" on 
domestic goods
(243 mn., 2.4%)
VAT on domestic 
goods and services
(894 mn., 8.7%)Customs duties
(2,424 mn., 23.5%)VAT on 
imports
(1,377 mn., 
13.4%)Excise "taxes" on 
imported goods
(490 mn., 4.8%)Environmental tax on 
imports
(56 mn., 0.5%)Other (including non -tax 
revenue, grants)
(2,972 mn., 28.8%)Chart 1. [Gambia] Government revenues and grants, 2016
(Dalasi million and % of total revenues and grants)
Information provided by the authorties. Source:Government revenues and grants
Dalasi 10,301 million
Taxes on international trade
(4,347 mn., 42.2%)Domestic 
indirect taxes
(1,170 mn., 11.4%)a
Including enviromental tax with an amount of Dalasi 0.41 million. aThe 2016 total government revenue and grants are not consistent with IMF data in Table 1.1. Note:WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 13 - 
 
Chart 1.2 Revenue foregone  due to tariff and tax exemptions, 201 6 
(Dalasi million and % of total revenue foregone ) 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat b ased on information provided by the authorities  of The Gambia.  
Monetary policy  
 
The commercial banks' prime lending rates in 2015 averaged about 18% (down from 22% 1.14.   
in 2016) , crowding out the private sector. Commercial credit to the private sector contracted 
significantly (down 13% in March 2016, compared with one year earlier).11 The Gambia's 
monetary policy remained tight in 2016 ; it was geared towards controlling inflation and supporting 
a stronger Dalasi. Inflation reached 7.9% by end -December 20 16, mainly driven by food price 
inflation with serious consequences for the largely rural population  - subsistence farmers are 
amongst the poorest and tend to be net buyers of food. The Central Bank's policy rate (rediscount 
rate) stood at 15% as of March 2017 ( down from 23% in December 2016 ).  
According to the authorities, The Gambia maintains a flexible exchange rate policy ; the 1.15.   
Central Bank may intervene in the foreign exchange market to build foreign currency reserves.  
However, d uring the period under review , several presidential directives have imposed 1.16.   
overvalued exchange rates of the Dalasi, the national currency.12 The most recent and long -lasting 
presidential directive of 4 May 2015 set a target range for the U.S. dollar exchange rate at 
D/US$35 -40, an overvaluation of about 30% according to IMF estimates. Th is had various adverse 
effects on the economy, notably foreign exchange shortages (resulting in reduced imports and 
lower government tax receipts on imports ) and reduced exports. The exchange rate  directives 
have not been able to halt the steady decline of the external value of the Dalasi. By 2016, the 
Dalasi had depreciated by about 20% in real terms compared with its value in 2010 (Table 1.1).  
The presidential exchange rate directive was lifted i n January 201 6. 
The Gambia does not maintain any restrictions on payments and transfers for current and 1.17.   
capital transactions.  
The banking sector is adequately capitalized and profitable , according to the authorities. 1.18.   
However, the sector tends to be overly exposed to government debt , as approximately 70% of the 
                                                
11 Central Bank of The Gambia (2016), Quarterly Bulletin, January -March . 
12 IMF (2015), The Gambia – 2015 Article IV Consultation , IMF Country Report No.  15/272. There were 
five exchange directives for the following periods: 22 October to 15 November 2012; 26 June to 15 July 2013; 
26 July to 14 August 2013; 14 Aug ust to 9 October 2013; and 4 May 2015 to January 2017.  
Import duties: 
non-oil products 
(791 mn., 53.2%)Import duties: oil 
(24 mn., 1.6%)
Import VAT: 
non-oil products 
(482 mn., 32.4%)
Import VAT: oil 
(22 mn., 1.5%)
Import/export processing 
fees (42 mn., 2.8%)
Environment tax on 
imports (4 mn., 0.3%) 
Excise taxes on imports 
(62 mn., 4.1%)
ECOWAS import levy
(62 mn., 4.1%)Chart 1. [Gambia] Revenue loss due to tariff and tax exemptions, 2016
(Dalasi million and % of total revenue loss)
WTO Secretariat  calculations, based on  information provided by the authorities of The Gambia. Source:Revenue loss
Dalasi 1,488 millionWT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 14 - 
 
 treasury bills are held by the banks. Interest rates are market  determined. The Gambia currently 
has 12 banks, most of them foreign  owned (Section  4.4.1.1).  
The Gambia's balance  of payments was in a r elatively healthy position up to 2012, when its 1.19.   
international reserves (US$183.8 million) were equivalent to about 6 months ' import cover of 
goods and services. Current account deficit s increased from 2013, as tourism receipts in the 
2014/15 season dropped  following the Ebola outbreak. By the end of 2014, international reserves 
dropped to US$111.9 million covering approximately  3 months of import requirements. 
Traditionally , The Gambia relies heavily on remittances as a source of finance. Partly owing to a 
significant increase in remittances (Table 1.1), a major balance -of-payments crisis was averted  in 
2014-15. However, the Gambian balance -of-payments  remain  precarious. In June 2017, the IMF 
approved a US$16.1 million emergency loan for The Gambia.  Gross in ternational reserves 
increased to US$165 million or 4.1 months of import cover in July 2017 (compared with 
0.9 months of import cover in December 2016).  
1.3  Developments in Trade and Investment  
1.3.1   Trends and patterns in merchandise and services trade  
Merchandise trade data are collected  by the Gambia Revenue Authority (Customs and 1.20.   
Excise Department) through the Automated System for Customs Data ( ASYCUDA ). The raw data 
are then used by the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBOS) to produce trade statistics using the 
Eurotrace software developed by the European Union . However, there is a need to improve the 
availability and quality of merchandise trade data, particularly from 2015 and with regard to re -
export trade.13  
The Gambia has been running current account deficits, owing to large deficits in its 1.21.   
merchandise trade. Traditionally, the port of Banjul has functioned as a regional centre for re -
exports – with little, if any , further processing – into Senegal and beyond, benefiting from 
relatively low import taxes, a well -functioning port in Banjul, and limited administrative barriers.14 
Over time, however, the importance of entrepôt trade has diminished for reasons such as the 
harmonization of the external tariffs in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)  
and efficiency gains in competing ports, notably in Senegal.15 The ratio of merchandise trade -to-
GDP (imports and exports, including re -exports) averaged 46% in 201 0-16 (down from 71% in 
2003), which reflects in part the decline in re -exports (Chart 1.3).  According to the authorities, 
most re -exports have been  destined for ECOWAS countries (Mali, Guinea, and Senegal)  
(Table  A1.6) . The entrep ôt trade has been mainly in textiles . 
The Gambia has a small export base. The main domestic export products in 2015 and 2 016 1.22.   
were groundnuts and cashew nuts , and fish and crustaceans (Chart 1.4 and Table  A1.2). The main 
export destinations were the European Union , Viet Nam, India and China (Chart 1.5 and 
Table  A1.3.)  The main imported products were foodstuffs  (particularly r ice, sugar and vegetable 
oils), fuels, cement, vehicles, and capital goods (Chart 1.4  and Table A1.4 ). In 2015, imports 
mainly originated from the European Union, West Africa (Côte  d'Ivoire and Senegal), Brazil 
(notably sugar) and China ( Table A1.5 and Chart 1.5).  
The Gambia is a net  exporter of services (Table 1 .1). Services exports are dominated by 1.23.   
tourism, which is also the most important foreign exchange earner (US$120 million in 2015). 
Services imports are largely due to travel (mainly education) and transportation services.  
                                                
13 See Enhanced Integrated Framework (2013),  Diagnostic Trade Integration Study Update for The 
Gambia: Harnessing Trade for Growth and Employment . Viewed at: 
http://www.enhancedif.org/en/document/diagnostic -trade-integration -study -update -gambia -harnessing -trade -
growth -and-employment . 
14 Integrated Framework (2007),  Diagnostic Trade Integration Study for the Integrated Framework for 
Trade -related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries, The Gambia - From Entrepôt to Exporter and 
Eco-tourism . 
15 WTO (2010), Trade Policy Review of The Gambia , Geneva.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 15 - 
 
Chart 1.3 The Gambia's merchandise exports, 2010 -15 
(US$ million)  
 
Note:  Based on balance -of-payments statistics.  
Source:  Central Bank of The Gambia.  
34.1
11.118.4
11.816.120.5100.5
83.6100.396.3
88.5
73.8
5.67.6 7.126.3
20.7 20.3140.2
102.3125.9134.4
125.3
114.6
020406080100120140160
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015Domestic exports Re-exports Goods procured in ports by carriers ExportsChart 1. [GMB]  Gambia's merchandise exports, 2010 -15
(US$ million)
Central Bank of the Gambia. Source:Based on Balance of Payments statistics. Note:WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 16 - 
 
 Chart 1.4 Composition of merchandise trade, 2010 and 2015  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on UNSD Comtrade database; and trade data provided by the 
authorities of The Gambia.  
Chart 1.[Gambia]Composition of merchandise trade, 2010 and 2015
2010 2015
(a)    Exports (f.o.b.), excluding re -exports
Ground -nut oil and its 
fractions (HS 1508)
25.7%Fish and 
crustaceans 
(HS 03)
10.7%Ground -nut oil and its 
fractions (HS 1508)
24.8%
Ground nuts (HS 1202) 
23.4%Fuel wood
(HS 4401)
16.5%Cashew nuts 
in shell
(HS 0801)
14.3%Other 10.4%
Total:  US$33.3 million Total:  US$19.1 million  
(b)    Imports (c.i.f.)
Cereals (HS 10)
8.5%Mineral fuels (HS 27)
20.5%
Salt; sulphur; 
earths and stone 
(HS 25)
4.0%
Vehicles 
(HS 87)
7.7%Sugars and sugar 
confectionery 
(HS 17)
5.8%
Animal or 
vegetable fats and 
oils (HS 15)
6.6%Mineral fuels (HS 27)
18.7%
Cereals 
(HS 10)
13.7%
Salt; sulphur; 
earths and stone 
(HS 25)
12.5%Sugars and sugar 
confectionery 
(HS 17)
7.6%Vehicles 
(HS 87)
6.2%Animal or 
vegetable fats and 
oils (HS 15)
5.4%Electrical 
machinery and 
equipment  
(HS 85)
3.0%Other
32.9%
Electrical 
machinery and 
equipment  
(HS 85)
5.4%
Total:   US$283.7 million Total:  US$393.0 million Other
41.6%Ground nuts (HS 1202) 
23.1%
WTO Secretariat calculatins, based on UNSD Comtrade database; and trade data provided by 
the authorities of the Gambia.Fish and 
crustaceans 
(HS 03)
17.8%
Cashew nuts 
in shell
(HS 0801)
10.1%Other 23.2%
Source:WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 17 - 
 
Chart 1.5 Direction of merchandise trade, 2010 and 2015  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on UNSD Comtrade database; and trade data provided by the 
authorities of The Gambia.  
1.3.2   Trends and patterns in FDI  
Foreign direct investment flows into The Gambia have been volatile (Chart  1.6). From a 1.24.   
peak of US$93 million in 2012, FDI inflows dropped to US$11 million in 2015.  In 2013 and 2015, 
outward FDI flows exceeded inward FDI. Data regarding foreign investment flows by partner and 
sector are not available. The Gambia's stock of FDI stood at US$350 million in 2015, equivalent to 
about 40% of GDP.  
Chart 1.[GMB] Direction of merchandise trade, 2010 and 2015
2010 2015
(a)    Exports, excluding re -exports (f.o.b.)
China 
12.3%Other 
2.9%
Senegal 3.8%EU-28
42.5%Asia
50.6%Americas 0.1%
India 12.7%Singapore 
6.0%Other Asia 
0.6%
Viet Nam 
19.0%
Total:  US$33.3 million Total:  US$19.1 million
(b)    Imports (c.i.f.)
Africa 
27.1%EU-28 
27.5%
Senegal 
2.5%
Côte d'Ivoire
19.4%Americas 
14.2%
China 8.7%Other 
Asia 
6.4%
Middle East
4.3%Pakistan 2.0%
Other Africa
5.3%Other America
4.2%Brazil 10.0%
India  4.4%
Malaysia 2.3%Other 
3.2%
EU-28 
23.5%
Senegal 
15.3%
Côte d'Ivoire
17.8%China 7.0%Other 
Asia 
4.6%
Middle East
2.5%
Other Africa
2.1%Other America
5.2%Brazil 9.5%
India  3.0%
Malaysia 3.1%Other 
2.9%
Africa 
35.1%Americas 
14.7%Pakistan 3.6%
Asia
21.3%
Total:   US$283.7 millionTotal:   US$393.0 million
Source:  Asia
23.7%China 
0.6%Other 
3.5%
Senegal 9.5%EU-28
55.3%
WTO Secretariat calculations, based on UNSD Comtrade database; and trade data 
provided by the authorities of the Gambia.Asia
21.9%Americas 9.9%
India 9.7%Singapore 
1.1%Other Asia 
10.5%WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 18 - 
 
 Chart 1.6 FDI in The Gambia, 2005 -07 and 2010 -15 
(US$ million)  
 
a Simple average over 2005 -07. 
Source:  UNCTA D Stat. Viewed at: http://unctadstat.unctad.org/EN/Index.html  [July 2017].  
0102030405060708090100
290300310320330340350360370380390
2005-07
Pre-global
financial crisis2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015Stock Flow (right-scale)Chart 1.[the Gambia] FDI in the Gambia
(US$ million)
UNCTAD Stat.  Viewed at: http://unctadstat.unctad.org/EN/Index.html [March 2017]. Source:a
Simple averages over 2005 -2007. aWT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 2  TRADE AND INVESTMENT  REGIMES  
2.1  General Framework  
In January 2017, The Gambia experienced the first change in government since 1994. 2.1.  
Presidential elections held on 1 December 2016 were followed by a political impass e before a 
transfer of authority was accomplished and a new government took office on 19 January 2017. 
Parliamentary elections were held in April 2017.  
Under The Constitution of 1997 , The Gambia maintains a presidential form of government.1 2.2.  
The President is elected by direct universal suffrage for five years, without constitutio nal limit on 
the number of terms. Executive power is exercised either directly by the President, or indirectly 
through the Cabinet, appointed by the President.  The Gambia maintains a large administration to 
run the country, comprising 17 ministries [July 2017] and numerous govern ment agencies 
(Table  2.1). The G overnment is also the main employer. The IMF has recommended that in the 
context of restoring budget sustainability the size of government should be reduced.  
Legislative power is vested in a unicamer al National Assembly. Cabinet members cannot by 2.3.  
law also be members of the National Assembly. All changes in legislation, including amendments of 
laws, and new or modified regulations , must be published in the National Gazette at least 14 days 
prior to their entering into force.  A bill passed  by the National Assembly and given assent by the 
President becomes law as an act.2 Table A2.1 provides a list of legal acts approved by the 
President  since the last TPR in 2010, as well as selected legal notices (i.e. measures with particu lar 
relevancy for trade policy).  International treaties require ratification.3 ECOWAS Regulations  are 
binding and  directly applicable in the ECOWAS member States.4 According to the authorities, 
ECOWAS Regulations (including the Common External Tariff) also require ratification and 
domestication by the National Assembly in order to have a binding effect on The Gambia.  
Table 2.1 Ministries and selected agencies, July 2017   
Ministries and sele cted agencies  
Office of the President  
National Disaster Management Agency  
Office of the Vice -President  
Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA)  
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Gambians Abroad  
Ministry of Finance  and Economic Affairs (MOFEA)  
The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA)  
The Gambia Public Procurement Authority  
The Gambia Bureau of Statistics  
Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment (MOTIE)  
The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA)  
The Gambia Competition and Consumer Commission  
The Gambia Standards Bureau  (TGSB)  
Ministry of Justice  
 Industrial Property Office  
National Law Report Council  
National Agency for Legal Aid (NALA)  
Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariat  
Law Reform Commission  
Ministry of Interior  
Ministry of Agriculture  
The Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency  
National Agriculture Research Institute  
Ministry of Transport, Works  and Infrastructure  
The Gambia Maritime Administration  
                                                
1 Accordi ng to the authorities, a new Constitution is to be drafted.  
2 Once a bill is passed, the President has thirty days to give his assent or to return it to Parliament for 
reconsideration.  
3 Article 79(c) of the Gambian Constitution of 1997.  
4 Supplementary Protocol A/SP.1/06/06 Amending the Revised Treaty of ECOWAS (1993). Viewed  at: 
http://documentat ion.ecowas.int/download/en/legal_documents/protocols/Supplementary%20Protocol%20Am
ending%20the%20Revised%20ECOWAS%20Treaty.pdf . WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 20 - 
 
 Ministries and sele cted agencies  
The Gambia Ports Authority  
The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority  
National Roads Authority  
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare  
National Nutrition Agency  
Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education  
Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology  
Ministry of Tourism and Culture  
Tourism Board  
National Centre for Arts and Culture  
Ministry of Information, Communication and Infrastructure  
Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA)  
Ministry of Energy and Petroleum  
Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources  
Ministry of Forestry and Environment  
National Environment Agency  
Ministry of Local Government and Lands  
NGO Board  
Ministry of Youth and Sports  
National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI)  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
The judicial system is based on a combination of English common law, Sharia law as it relates 2.4.  
specifically to marriage, inheritance, and divorce among Muslims, and treaties and international 
conventions. Judicial power is vested in the courts, with the Sup reme Court as the final court of 
appeal. A tax tribunal was established in 2013 for settlement of tax disputes between citizens and 
The Gambia Revenue  Authority ( GRA) – there have been no case s since its establishment . Foreign 
lawyers are permitted to practice domestic and international law, and may be appointed as judges. 
A new Legal Practitioners Act, 2016  has been enacted.  The General Legal Council is the r egulator 
of the legal services profession , comprising 9 member s, including the Chief Justice (chairperson), 
Minister of Justice, a Judge of the Court of Appeal, the Director of the Gambian Law School and 
two legal practitioners.  
The Gambia is divided into five administrative regions and the city of Banjul. Local 2.5.  
government is based on a system of democratically elected councils "with a high degree of local 
autonomy", which have competence in, inter alia , infrastructure development, encouragement of 
commercial enterprises, provision of essential and other services, and  raising of local revenue, as 
provided for in the Constitution (Articles 192 -193) and the 2002 Local Government Act .  
2.2  Trade Policy Formulation and Objectives  
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment (MOTIE), together 2.6.  
with its r elated agencies, is the principal institution responsible for formulating and coordinating 
trade policy  (Table 2. 2). MOTIE is one of the main actors in the inter -ministerial National Trade 
Policy Decision -Making Committee,  which meets on a quarterly basis , to ensure regulatory 
consistency at the national level . It has three sub -committees: Trade Negotiations Committee, 
National Trade Facilitation Committee , and Committee on Market Access. A Technical Regulation 
Coordination Committee meets as necessary when  new technical regulations are being developed  
(Section 3.3.3) . The Gambia  Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) represents the private 
sector in many fora and in relations with the G overnment.   
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MOF EA) is res ponsible for tariff policy in 2.7.  
collaboration with MOTIE. A National CET Committee was established in 2006  to deal with matters 
related to the negotiation and implementation of the ECOWAS C ET; its 2017 work programme 
focuses on CET -related sensitization of policy -makers and training of customs officials.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 Table 2.2 Main trade policy developments in The Gambia, 2010 -17 
Year Trade policy developments  
2010  Customs and Excise Act , 2010 enacted  
 Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Act, 2010 enacted  (repealed in 2015)  
2011  Food Safety and Quality Act, 2011 enacted  
2012  The Gambia Standards Bureau operational  
2013  VAT introduced on 1 January (replacing sales tax)  
 Food Safety and Quality Authority established on 1 July  
 ECOWAS Inter -State Road Transit (protocol) implemented on 15 July  
 Merchant Shipping Act , 2013  enacted  
2014  Single window business registration launched  
 Gambia Public Procurement Authority Act, 2014 enacted  
2015  The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency Act, 2015 enacted  
2016  - 
2017  ECOWAS CET implemented on 1 January  
 WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement ratified on 13 March  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
The Gambia has a national Trade Policy in place, which is part of a broader hierarchy of 2.8.  
government policy (Chart 2.1):  
a. Vision 2020  – At the base , "The Gambia Incorporated: Vision 2020" is the former 
government's overarching long -term policy statement, implemented since 1998 through 
a number of development plans. Vision 2020 has the goal of transform ing The Gambia 
into a middle -income economy by 2020.5 For now [July 2017], Vision 2020 remain s 
government policy . 
b. Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE) – PAGE succeeded the 
(IMF-supported) Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper II and was The Gambia's 
development plan and investment programme during the period 2012 -16, focusing on 
agriculture and infrastructure development.6 PAGE served as the main interface between 
the G overnment and the donor community. A new national development plan is under 
consideration to cover the final stage of Vision 2020 and beyond (2018-21). 
c. The Gambia Trade Policy 2011  – The trade policy, adopted in 2011, remains in force. 
The policy has the objective " to maintain an open and liberal trading environment", and 
use "international trade as an engine of economic revival, growth in industrial 
transformation and export diversification" for poverty reduction.7 The policy statement 
affirms that the principal obj ective of the tariff policy was to maximize government 
revenues from international trade taxes  (i.e. customs duties, excise taxes and VAT 
collected on imports) , rather than serving protectionist or infant -industry purposes. 
However, i t recognizes that a ta riff-for-revenue policy is not conducive to the promotion 
of domestic industry or export diversification; and that reliance on trade taxes may not 
be viable in the long term with the implementation of the ECOWAS CET and the EU -West 
Africa Economic Partners hip Agreement. Trade policy should  focus on measures to 
improve competitiveness; support production activities for the domestic and 
international markets; establish and strengthen infrastructure for enhanced market 
access abroad; ensure a fair trading envi ronment for producers and consumers; 
establish an efficient trade information system; and strengthen bilateral, reg ional and 
multilateral trade coope ration. For concrete measures, the trade policy statement refers 
to the action matrix provided by the Diagn ostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) of 2007.  
d. MOTIE Medium -Term Plan (2016 -20) - The 2007 DTIS under the EIF was updated in 
2013.8 While there has been little change regarding the prioritization of efforts 
                                                
5 Office of the President online information. Viewed at: http://statehouse.gov.gm/vision -2020-
overview/# . 
6 European External Ac tion Services (EEAS) online information. Viewed at: 
http://eeas.europa.eu/archives/delegations/gambia/documents/about_us/page_2012_2015_en.pdf . 
7 MOTIE (2011), The Gambia Trade Policy 2011 . Viewed at: 
http://www.motie.gov.gm/images/stories/The -Gam-Trade -Policy -2010-(final).pdf . 
8 Enhanced Integrated Framework (2013), Diagnostic Trade Integration Study Update for The Gambia: 
Harnessing Trade for Growth and Employment . Viewed at: WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 (agriculture, fisheries, business environment and governance), the revised DTIS 
recommends, inter alia , creat ing programmes in the fishery sector to improve business 
opportunities for women. The findings of the DTIS Update Study were incorporated, in 
part, in the Medium -Term Plan that guides the work of t he MOTIE.  
e. National Export Strategy 2013 -17 – The national export strategy was developed to 
develop and diversify the country's export base, and to complement PAGE and the 
national trade policy.9 The targeted sectors are the traditional ones (groundnuts, c ashew 
nuts, fisheries, horticulture, tourism, manufacturing, and re -exports). The Gambia 
Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) is responsible for implementation of 
the strategy  (currently under  review) .  
Chart 2.1 Hierarchy of government trade policy, 2017  
 
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
2.3  Trade Agreements and Arrangements  
2.3.1   WTO  
The Gambia has been a WTO Member since 23 October 1996. As a least -developed country, 2.9.  
it is a b eneficiary of the special and differential treatment provisions applicable to LDCs under WTO 
agreements. The Gambia is not a party to any of the WTO plurilateral agreements and has not 
been involved in any WTO dispute settlement procedures (as of July 2017 ). The Gambia deposited 
its instrument of acceptance of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) on 11 July 2017. As at the 
end of September 2017, Th e Gambia has not yet submitted its Category A notification.   
2.10.   The Gambia is committed to the multilateral trading system.10 The Gambia has no mission 
in Geneva ; its embassy in Brussels , staffed with one trade attaché , serves as a contact point in 
WTO matters . In the period under  review, The Gambia provided 21  notifications to the WTO 
(Table  A2.2), including a number of "nil" notifications (e.g. inexistence/non -application of 
agricultural export subsidies, contingency measures, and pre-shipment inspection) and a number 
of substantive notifications (e.g. regardin g TBT, intellectual property).  Some notifications (e.g. 
domestic support  in agriculture ) remain outstanding.   
The Gambia is a member of the LDC and ACP groups, the African Group, the G -90, and the 2.11.   
"W52" sponsors.11 At the tenth WTO Ministerial Conference at Nairobi, The Gambia emphasized the 
                                                                                                                                                  
http://www.enhancedif.org/en/document/diagnostic -trade-integration -study -update -gambia -harnessing -trade -
growth -and-employment . 
9 GIEPA online information. Viewed at: 
http://www.giepa.gm/sites/default/files/NESFinal_PostNationalVaidation.pdf . 
10 MOTIE (2 011), The Gambia Trade Policy 2011. Viewed at: 
http://www.motie.gov.gm/images/stories/The -Gam-Trade -Policy -2010-(final).pdf . 
11 The "W52" sponsors support a proposal for modalities in the negotiations on geographical indications 
(establishing a multilateral  register for wines and spirits, and extending the higher level of protection beyond 
wines and spirits), and for patent applicants to disclose the origin of genetic resources and traditional 
knowledge used in their inventions. Viewed at: 
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dda_e/negotiating_groups_e.htm . 
Chart 1. [Gambia] Hierarchy of government policy
Information provided by the authorities. Source:Vision 2020National Export 
Strategy (2013 -17)
National Trade Policy (2011)
Programme for Accelerated 
Growth & Employment  (PAGE)
(2012 -16)WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 relevance of Aid  for Trade and called on WTO Members to : provide LDCs with enhanced technical 
assistance to increase their cap acity for services exports; operationalize the LDC Services Waiver; 
implement the Hong Kong Ministerial Decision on duty -free and quota -free market access for 
LDCs; and widen the scope of the preferential rules of origin .12  
2.3.2   Regional and preferential agreements  
2.3.2.1   Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)  
The Gambia is a founding member  of the ECOWAS, established in 1975.13 It's main 2.12.   
trade -related preferential arrangements concern duty removal of import duties on certain imports 
from other ECOWAS member States under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (see below). 
The ECOWAS legislation  implemented by The Gambia includes  the following : 
a. Common External Tariff (CET)  – The Gambia applies CET to all of its trading partners, 
including other ECOWAS member States. The first ECOWAS CET with four bands was 
implemented by The Gambia (with many devi ations from the CET ) from 2010 .14 
ECOWAS members decided in 201315 to implement a (new) five-band ECOWAS CET from 
1 January 2015 (based on the HS 2012 nomenclature).16 The Gambia has implemented 
the new CET with a two -year delay from 1 January 2017 (Section 3.1.3 .1).  
a. ECOWAS Community Levy – To finance the activities of ECOWAS, a Community Levy  
applie s in member states. The Gambia has applied the levy since the beginning , 
according to the authorities .17 The Government raised the levy on 1 January 2013 from 
0.5% to 1% of the c.i.f. value of imports as a temporary measure in order t o pay its 
contribution arrears .18 
b. ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS)  – The purpose of th e scheme is to improve 
intra-ECOWAS trade by removing import duties and taxes on qualifying products , 
including agricultu ral and industrial products  (Section 3 .1.2).  
c. ECOWAS Inter -State Road Transit Scheme (ISRT) – Implementation of the ISRT began 
in July 2013 and is monitored by the national Committ ee on Market Access. Since 
July 2015, it is mandatory for transit goods to be entered under the ISRT 
(Section  3.1.1).  
d. Free Movement  of Persons, Right of Residence and Establishment19 – The Gambia has 
started issuing ECOWAS passports and is currently  [July 2017]  working on the 
                                                
12 The Gambia's  Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment.  Tenth WTO 
Ministerial Conference , Nairobi,  Kenya. December 2015 . Viewed at: 
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/mc10_e/statements_e/gmb_e.pdf . 
13 The ECOWAS membership comprises 15 members: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, 
Senegal, and Togo (members of the UEMOA), The Gamb ia, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Sierra Leone (members of 
the West African Monetary Zone), Cabo Verde, Guinea -Bissau, and Liberia.  
14 ECOWAS Decision A/DEC. 17/01/06, as amended by the Supplementary Act A/SA.1/06/09. A joint 
ECOWAS/WAEMU Committee for the management of the ECOWAS CET was created by Decision A/DEC. 
14/01/06. Viewed at: http://www.ecowas.int/wp -content/uploads/2015/01/2 -Customs -Value.pdf . Entry into 
force of the first ECOWAS CET was 1 January 2006.  
15 ECOWAS Heads of State and Government decided at a summit in Dakar on 25 October 2013 that the 
CET would come into effect in member States on 1 January 2015 (Regulation C/REG.1/06/13 and Regulation  
C/REG.2/06/13). Viewed at: http://www.ecowas.int/ecowas -cet-will-be-implemented -as-of-january -2015/  and 
http://www.ecowas.int/ecowas -law/regulations -directives -and-other -acts/70th -ordinary -session -of-council -of-
ministers/ . 
16 Declaration of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS on the Implementation of the ECOWAS 
Common External Tariff (CET), 15 December 2014, Abuja. Viewed at: http://www.ecowas.int/wp -
content/uploads/2015/01/2 -CET-Implementation.pdf . 
17 Recommendation C/REG. 1/06/13. Viewed at: http://www.ecowas.int/wp -
content/uploads/20 15/01/22 -Community -Levy-Integrated.pdf .  
18 Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (2013), "Budget Speech 2013", p. 42.  
19 ECOWAS Protocol A/P1/5/79 on the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Establishment 
and Protocol A/SP.1/7/85 on the Code of Conduct for the implementation of the Protocol on the Free Movement 
of Persons, Right of Residence and Establishment. Viewed at: http://www.ecowas.int/ecowas -law/find -
legislation/45th -ordinary -session -of-the-authority -of-heads -of-state-and-government -accra -10-11-july-2014/  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 introduction of the ECOWAS Biometric ID Card.20 Entry v isas and permits for ECOWAS 
nationals have been abolished . The Gambia has also introduced the ECOWAS Travel 
Certificate (in lieu of  a passport) to facilitate the movement of persons .  
The Gambia is a participant in the West African Power Pool (WAPP), a spe cialized agency of 2.13.   
ECOWAS,  with the mandate of promoting and developing electricity generation and transmission 
infrastructures and to coordinate electricity trade among the ECOWAS member  States.21 The 
National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) of T he Gambia is a member utility of the WAPP. 
However, The Gambia is not connected to the regional electricity grid at present.  
The Gambia is a member of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ).22 Since the early 2.14.   
1980s, the ECOWAS members have envisaged the esta blishment of a monetary union. In the first 
stage, a single currency (the Eco) was to be created within the WAMZ , which was to be merged 
later with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).23 However, the plan to launch 
an (intermediate) WAMZ cu rrency union by 2015 was postponed several times and eventually 
abandoned. In 2014, the ECOWAS authorities decided instead to prepare directly for the creation 
of a single currency among all 15 ECOWAS members by 2020.24 
2.3.3   Other agreements and arrangements  
2.3.3.1   Preferential treatment accorded by The Gambia's trading partners  
The Gambia is eligible as a beneficiary of non -reciprocal duty -free or preferential treatment 2.15.   
under the GSP schemes implemented by a number of industrialized trade partners, including 
Australia,  Canada, the European Union (Everything But Arms), Iceland, Japan, Kazakhstan, New 
Zealand, Norway, the Russian Federation, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United States.25  
As an LDC, The Gambia also benefits from duty -free or preferential treatment under 2.16.   
LDC-specific schemes offered by a number of trade partners, including : Chile;  China;  the Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei) ; the European Union 
(Everything But Arms) ; India;  the Republic of Korea;  Morocco;  Kyrgyz R epublic;  Tajikistan;  and 
Thailand.26  
European Union  
2.17.   The Gambia has been eligible as an LDC to benefit from preferential treatment granted by 
the European Union under the Everything  but Arms (EBA) initiative since its introduction in 2001.27  
The Gambia is one of the 79 ACP countries  with which the EU signed the Cotonou 2.18.   
Agreement on 23 June 2000 (replacing the Lomé Convention), providing for non-reciprocal 
preferential treatment to all ACP countries (except South Africa) until 31 December 2007.28 The 
Cotonou Agreement envisaged that new trading arrangements between the EU and the ACP 
countries would take effect from January 2008 (Article 37.1). However, negotiations for a regional 
                                                
20 Decision A/DEC.01/12/14, amending Decision A/DEC.2/7/85 establishing a T ravel Certificate. Viewed 
at: http://www.ecowas.int/wp -content/uploads/2015/01/3 -Travel -Certificate.pdf . 
21 ECOWAS and WAPP online information. Viewed at: http://www.ecowas.int/specialized -agencies/the -
west-african -power -pool-wapp/  and http://www.ecowapp.org/ . 
22 The WAMZ comprises The Gamb ia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.  
23 The WAEMU was established in 1994 by Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea -Bissau, Mali, 
Niger, Senegal, and Togo. The francophone member countries already shared a common currency, the CFA 
franc.  
24 Ferdinand Bakoup and Daniel Ndoye (2016), African Development Bank Group. " Why and when to 
introduce a single currency in ECOWAS". Viewed at: 
https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Publications/AEB_Vol_7_Issue_1_2016_Why_and_w
hen_to_introduce_a_single_currency_in_ECOWAS.pdf . 
25 WTO online information. Viewed at: http://ptadb.wto.org/Country.aspx?code=270 . 
26 WTO online information. Viewed at: http://ptadb.wto.org/Country.aspx?code=270 . 
27 Under t he EBA, the EU grants duty -free and quota -free access to all LDCs for all exports, except arms 
and ammunition.  
28 At the Doha Ministerial Conference, WTO Members granted the waiver from the obligations under 
Article  I:1 of GATT  1994 (MFN treatment), reques ted by the parties to the Agreement, for the period up to 
31 December  2007. WTO document WT/MIN/(01)/15, 14 November 2001.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and West Africa were not clo sed until 
February 2014.29 The EPA was initialled on 30 June 2014 between the EU and 16 West African 
States (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea -
Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra  Leone,  and Togo), the Economic 
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union 
(WAEMU).30 After signature by all parties, the EPA must be ratified by the EU member States and 
two-thirds of the West African States in order to enter into force.31 As of July 2017, all parties had 
signed t he EPA, except Mauritania, Nigeria  and The Gambia . According to the authorities, The 
Gambia is at present  [July 2017] considering the signing of the EPA .  
While the EPA is a reciprocal  agreement, the parties agreed to take into account the level of 2.19.   
development in the West African region and introduce special and differential treatment and 
progressive asymmetric liberalization.32 The EPA establishes tariff liberalization periods (between 5 
and 20 years) for different categories of products in order to allow the West African region to 
progressively reduce or eliminate customs duties33; and provides for a transitional period of 
5 years for introducing modern customs techniques  and the single administrative document for 
import /export customs declarations.34 
According to EU data, Gambian imports from the EU increased from €113 million in 2010 to 2.20.   
€136 million in 2016, while its exports to the EU decreased from €18 million in 2010 to €15  million 
in 2016.35 In 2016, 70% of Gambian exports to the EU benefited from the EBA regime 
(€9.9  million).36 
United States  
The Gambia was eligible as a beneficiary under the African Growth and Opportunity Act 2.21.   
(AGOA)  of the United States during the period Decembe r 2002  to December 2014. Enacted in 
2000, the AGOA grants duty -free access to the U .S. market for qualifying Sub -Saharan African 
countries, conditional on meeting certain requirements such  as improvement of the rule of law, 
human rights, and respect of core labo ur standards.37 From April 2008, The Gambia was granted a 
"textile visa" whereby it qualified for AGOA's special textile and clothing provisions. Its eligibility  
under AGOA was terminated by the United States on 1 January 2015 for lack of progress in 
meetin g certain eligibility requirements.38 The Gambia has expressed its willingness to apply for 
readmission.  
According to US data, Gambian imports from the United States increased from 2.22.   
US$29.3  million in 2010 to US$40.2 million in 2016, while exports to the United States  declined 
from US$3.1 million in 2010 to US$0.7 million in 2016.39 The Gambia has not exported under 
AGOA in 2012-14, while 20% of Gambian exports to the United States  in 2015 benefited from the 
GSP regime (US$176,000); and 4% in 2016 (US$26,000).40  
2.3.3.2   Other s  
2.23.   In addition to the WTO, The Gambia is a member of the following multilateral economic 
organizations or groupings: F ood and Agriculture Organization (FAO) , G-77, World Bank, 
                                                
29 European Commission online information, " Overview of Economic Partnership Agreements" (updated 
in April 2017). Viewed at: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2009/september/tradoc_144912.pdf . 
30 See the EU's early announcement of the EU –West Africa EPA at: 
http://rtais.wto.org/UI/PublicShowMemberRTAIDCard.aspx?rtaid=896 . 
31 EPA Article 107. The EU has "stepping stone" EPAs in place with Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana.  
32 EPA Article 53.3.  
33 EPA Article 10 and Annex C.  
34 EPA Ar ticle 44.  
35 European Commission  (2017) , Trade in goods with The Gambia , 17 February, p. 8. Viewed at: 
http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2011/january/tradoc_147283.pdf . 
36 Eurostat database.  
37 AGOA online information. Viewed at: https://agoa.info/about -agoa.html .  
38 U.S. President's Proclamation to take action under the AGOA, 23 December 2014. Viewed at: 
https://agoa.info/images/documents/2451/agoa -proclamation -23-12-2014.pdf . 
39 U.S. Department of Commerce. Viewed at: https://www.census.gov/foreign -
trade/balance/c7500.html  and https://agoa.info/profiles/gambia.html . 
40 U.S. ITC database.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 International Fund for Agricultural Development, I nternational Labour Organization (ILO) , IMF, 
International Telecommunications Union, Islamic Development Bank, Multilateral Investment 
Guarantee Agency, Organization of the Islamic Conference, United Nations, United Nations 
conference on Trade and Development ( UNCTAD ), Univers al Postal Union, World Customs 
Organization, W orld Intellectual Property Organization , World Meteorological Organization, and 
World Tourism Organization. Following its withdrawal from the Commonwealth in October 2013, 
The Gambia is in the process of re -joining the association under the new Government.  
2.24.   The Gambia is a founding member of the African Union and a signatory to its economic 
development programme, the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) created in 2010. 
The Gambia is also a member of t he African Economic Community (AEC), which provides for the 
creation of a Pan -African Economic and Monetary Union (by 2028). Moreover, The Gambia is a 
member of the  Permanent Inter -State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel  (Comité 
Permanent Inter -États de Lutte contre la Sécheresse dans le Sahel  – CILSS).41 
The Gambia has signed bilateral trade (cooperation and promotion) agreements with 2.25.   
Ethiopia,  Mauritania, Nigeria, and Tunisia.  
2.4  Investment Regime  
The legal framework for the establishment of a busine ss in The Gambia has been revised 2.26.   
since the last TPR in 2010 and comprises the Companies Act, 2013; the Single Window 
Registration Act, 2013; and the GIEPA Investment and Export Promotion Agency Act, 2015.42  
Following the enactment of the Single Window Reg istration Act, 201343, a one -stop business 2.27.   
registry was established in 2014 to provide for an electronic registration system and the 
registration of business names. The registry is located at the Ministry of Justice in Banjul, 
comprising the Registrar of Companies ( Attorney General's Chambers and Ministry of Justice ) and 
The Gambia Revenue Authority  (GRA)  (for business registration fees). Businesses may be 
registered in various forms, including as sole proprietorship, limited -liability company, joint 
ventu re or partnership.44 While registration within one day is the norm for sole proprietorships, 
registration involves in practice several steps and institutions, including the municipal authorities 
(for a municipal trade licence), GRA (for payment of stamp dut ies and tax deposit, and receipt of a 
Tax Identification Number), and if applicable, licensing (permits) by sectoral regulators. The 
Gambia has a complex tax regime with numerous payroll taxes and charges  (Section 3.3.1) .45  
In the Gambia, c orporate income tax is payable on assessable profits of a company 2.28.   
(including a branch of a foreign company) at a rate of 27% [January 2018]. If profits are below 
the "minimum income tax" threshold, the total revenue of an enterprise is subject to the tax at a 
rate of 1.5% .46  
Capital gains tax is imposed on the consideration received or increase in the capital value of 2.29.   
a capital asset between the date of acquisition and the date of its disposal. For a partnership, 
company or trustee, the tax is charged at 25% of the capital  gain arising on disposal, or 10% of 
the sale price, whichever is higher. Capital gains of less than D  7,500 are exempted from the tax; 
exemptions also are applied to the sale of agricultural land, and a gain derived by a governmental 
institution or a char itable organization.  
A withholding tax is applied at a rate of 15% to receipts from interest, dividends, royalties, 2.30.   
and consulting and technical service fees, except that a rate of 10% is applied to a person who 
retains the services of a contractor or subc ontractor to carry out work, or supply labour or 
materials. The withholding tax is not applied to the interest paid to financial institutions.  
                                                
41 Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea -Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal.  
42 UNCTAD has completed an Investment Policy Review – The Gambia (2017), publication forthcoming.  
43 WTO document G/TBT/N/GMB/1, 22 January 2014 (see also Table A2.2).  
44 For registration requirements, see GIEPA online information at: http://www.giepa.gm/node/51  and 
MOTIE online information at: http://www.gambiatradeinfo.org/business -requirements/export -business -
registration -and-requirement . 
45 See also IMF (2015).  
46 The tax rate on total revenue is 2.5% instead of 1.5% if a company is not audited for any reason.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 In the National Export Strategy (Section  3.2.4), stakeholders expressed their concerns that 2.31.   
the tax burden was to o high, and urged the Government to review the tax structure to improve 
the business environment. The authorities noted that in order to address the concerns, reviews on 
income taxes and the value -added tax (VAT) were carried out in 2016, and that the regu lations 
associated with the relevant acts have been drafted; the authorities further indicated that 
simplifying the overall tax structure as well as amendments to the income taxes acts, the VAT act, 
and the stamp duty act are under consideration.  
A new GIE PA Investment and Export Promotion Agency Act, 2015 was enacted , following 2.32.   
the repeal of the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Act, 2010.47 While the repealed 
legislation focused on foreign direct investment, the new Act expands the scope to cover 
investment by, and incentives for, local businesses  (SMEs) . The main features of the investment 
framework include the following:  
a. Restrictions on foreign investment – The Gambia is open to foreign and domestic 
investment in any "field of lawful economic activity" (Article 28) either through joint 
ventures, without any limit s on foreign participation, or full ownership by Gambian or 
foreign citizens (Article 31). The only exclusions are activities prejudicial to national 
security, detrimental to the natura l environment, public health or public morality, or that 
contravene the laws of The Gambia (Article 29). The Government may reserve the right 
to own some or all of the shares in an enterprise operating in a "strategic industry", 
designated as mining, petro leum exploration and refinery activities (Article 31). 
Investments relating to the exploitation of mineralogical, petroleum, and fisheries 
resources are subject to certain restrictions as stipulated in the Fisheries Act, the Mines 
and Quarries Act, and the  Petroleum Act and Petroleum Exploration and Production Act. 
The Gambia also maintains a few statutory state monopolies in certain areas of activity 
(mainly utilities, such as NAWEC ). 
There is no mandatory screening of foreign investment , although such scr eening may be 
conducted as part of a due diligence exercise (by the Financial Intelligence Unit  of the 
Central Bank ) if there is suspicion of money laundering or terrorism financing  (for 
investments in the tourism sector, see Section 4. 4.4). Foreign invest ors have the right to 
import or export any product without restriction or limitation (except where specifically 
prohibited by law). There are no restrictions on foreign investors buy ing or leasing land, 
including farm land, according to the authorities. There are no restrictions on the 
repatriation of profits and dividends.48  
b. Incentives – The legislation provides for three types of incentives  (Section 3.3.2 ):  
i. Special investment certificate  (SIC) . As in the previous GIEPA Act , the widest range  
and highest value of incentives is given to holders of Special Investment Certificates.  
ii. Export pro motion incentives . The act lists a number of (additional) incentives for 
investors within and outside export processing zones  (Section 3.2.4) .  
iii. Support for micro, small, and medium -sized enterprises.  
c. Administration – The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) is  
responsible for attracting foreign investment and for the administration of the act and its 
regulations. The Agency is accountable to the Minister o f Trade, Industry, Regional 
Integration, and Employment, while the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs has the 
authority to grant (tax) incentives und er the GIEPA Act, 2015  (Article 37).  
The Gambia has concluded 16 bilateral investments treaties (BIT s), of which : five are in 2.33.   
force (Chinese Taipei, Morocco, Netherlands, Qatar, and Switzerland) ; and eleven  are awaiting 
ratification (Guinea, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey 
                                                
47 Online information. Viewed at: http://www.giepa.gm/sites/default/files/GIEPA%20Act%202015.pdf . 
48 Schedule I of the GIEPA Act, 2015.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 and Ukraine) .49 The Gambia is a member  of the International Centre  for the Settlement of 
Disputes (ICSID).   
The Gambia has concluded double taxation agreements with Australia, Chinese Taipei, 2.34.   
Denmark, Norway, Morocco, Mauritius, Switzerl and, Sweden and the United Kingdom.  
  
                                                
49 UNCTAD online information. Viewed at: http://investmentpolicyhub.unctad.org/IIA . WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 3  TRADE POLICIES AND P RACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1  Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.1   Customs procedures , valuation,  and requirements  
3.1.  In general, customs matters in The Gambia are aligned with  the ECOWAS regimes, where 
applicable ; for example , in the area s of import duties (ECOWAS CET), rules of origin (ETLS) and 
transit  (ISRT).  The national Customs and Excise Act, 2010 (together with its Customs and Excise 
Regulations of August 2013) regulates other customs matters  such as import restrictions .  
3.2.  The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) is responsible for customs matters, while other 
agencies , such as the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA)  and the Ministry of Agriculture , 
are responsible for SPS controls at the border.   
3.3.  According to the World Bank, trading across borders in The Gambia is more efficient than the 
average for the Sub -Saharan Africa region. Indeed, The Gambia was ranked number two in the 
region in terms of ease of  cross-border trade in 2017 (following Mali).1 It appears that compliance  
with the documentation requirements for imports is far less costly  and time -consuming than 
completing  other border procedures (Table 3.1). The au thorities are of the view that the World 
Bank study includes some procedures that are not directly related to  Customs  and are therefore 
beyond the control of Customs.   
Table 3.1 Time and cost for imports to The Gambia, 2017  
  The Gambia  Sub-Saharan Africa average  
Time to import (hours)  Border compliance  87 144 
 Documentary compliance  32 107 
Cost to import (US$)  Border compliance  326 676 
 Documentary compliance  152 320 
Source:  World Bank Group (2017), Doing Business 2017: Equal Opportunity for All, Economy Profile 2017: 
The Gambia . Viewed at: 
http://www.doingbusiness.org/reports/globalreports/~/media/WBG/DoingBusiness/documents/profil
es/country/GMB.pdf . 
3.4.  Any legal or natural person may engage in import/export business without prior registration . 
All import s, irrespective of its commercial or non-commercial2 nature,  must be declared when 
entering The Gambia. A declaration of commercial imports must be lodged in the electronic 
customs data system (ASYCUDA) by the traders or their appointed agents (such as customs 
brokers ).3 A pre -arrival declara tion may be submitted  to GRA before the cargo arrival. Customs 
usually takes less than one day to process a declaration.  
3.5.  In 2010, The Gambia upgraded its electronic data system from ASYCUDA 2.7 to ASYCUDA++ 
and completed the rollout of the system to all k ey border posts4 in 2013. The authorities indicated 
that a further upgrade of the system to ASYCUDA World will be carried out in the near future. 
ASYCUDA allows all stakeholders along the customs clearance process to lodge and exchange 
information electron ically. According to the authorities, all partner agencies expressing the  need to 
be connected to the ASYCUDA ++ are connected. For traders (including their agents) without  
computer facilities at their offices, GRA opened a Direct Trade Input centre at its headquarter s to 
facilitate traders' access to ASYCUDA.  
                                                
1 World Bank Group (2017), Doing Business 2017 , Equal Opportunity For All , Economy Profile 2017: 
The Gambia . Viewed at: 
http://www.d oingbusiness.org/reports/globalreports/~/media/WBG/DoingBusiness/documents/profiles/country
/GMB.pd f.  
2 Non-commercial  imports include those of personal effects or of small parcels by post.  
3 Simplified declaration methods are used at the land border posts where no customs brokers are 
present.  
4 These key posts include Banjul International Airport, Banjul Port, as well t he three designated check 
points for transit traffic (Bassee Santa Su, Farafenni, and Soma).  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 3.6.  Upon payment of customs duties and other internal taxes (Section 3.1.5), traders apply for 
the release of imports from customs.5 All imports are subject to customs inspection, with the 
inspection meth od being determined by risk profiling (ASYCUDA selectivity module). Importers of 
perishable goods may apply to Customs for a direct delivery permit, which allows imports to be 
released prior to paying customs duties and other taxes. There are no provisions  on advance 
ruling.  
3.7.  The Customs and Excise Act , 2010 makes provision for an accredited user scheme (not yet 
implemented) with simplified procedures and fewer documentation requirements.6 The benefits 
include, inter alia , acceptance of electronic declaratio n, partial processing of declaration prior to 
goods arrival, release of goods against simplified declaration,7 and the scaling down of physical 
examination.  
3.8.  The Gambia implemented the ECOWAS Inter -State Road Transit (ISRT) Scheme in July 2013. 
Under the I SRT, transportation of goods is allowed by road from one customs office in one 
ECOWAS member State to another through one or more member States free of import duties, 
taxes, and restrictions while in transit. Additional measures put in place to ensure the operation of 
the ISRT include the setting of annual quotas between countries in respect of vehicles licensed to 
undertake interstate transport of goods; the de velopment of regulations to govern the sharing of 
freight between the country of transit and the land -locked country for both transit goods and local 
goods from the country of transit; and the drawing up of itineraries for interstate traffic. Transit 
goods  are no longer subject to customs escort as long as their seal is checked at designated 
checkpoints. Owners of transit goods are required to pay a "levy" to the national guarantor and 
deposit a bond with GRA to cover any  irregularities that may occur durin g transit. The Gambia 
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is the national guarantor for the ISRT , which applies a 
service charge of 0.25% of the c.i.f. price. Any registered business or agent may participate in the 
ISRT Scheme.  
3.9.  According to the author ities, using clearing agents (customs brokers) is in practice 
compulsory. A clearing agent must be licensed by GRA and must be a Gambian citizen. A clearing 
agent licence is valid for a calendar year, and renewable. There are 85 clearing agents licensed by  
GRA in 2017.  
3.10.   Disputes regarding Customs' decisions may be brought to the Customs Tribunal.8 Importers 
may then refer the case to the High Court if they are not satisfied with the outcome of the 
Tribunal. The High Court's decision is final. According to th e authorities, no appeal case s have 
been lodged since the Tribunal was established in 2012.  
3.11.   The Gambia's rules on customs valuation9 are aligned with ECOWAS rules, which in turn are 
based on the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement. The Gambia has notified the  WTO that its laws, 
regulations and administrative procedures are in line with the provisions of the WTO Agreement.10 
Transaction values, generally c.i.f. prices, are used as a basis for customs valuation. In case of 
doubt, the GRA may require further infor mation, and may use other methods of valuation set forth 
in the Seventh Schedule of the Act. The authorities consider that under -invoicing is the main 
problem in customs valuation.  
3.12.   The Gambia does not have pre -shipment inspection requirements.11 
3.1.2   Rules of o rigin  
3.13.   The Gambia does not have non -preferential rules of origin.12 The Gambia applies the 
ECOWAS preferential rules of origin for goods entering duty-free under the ECOWAS Trade 
                                                
5 Importers are required to pay the customs duties determined by GRA in order to clear imports from 
customs. Importers may dispute the customs valuation decision after the customs clearance.  
6 Article 34, Customs and Excise Act.  
7 A full declaration must be submitted within a prescribed time limit after the release.  
8 Article 261, Customs and Excise Act.  
9 Articles 173 -178, and the Seventh Schedule, Customs and Ex cise Act.  
10 WTO documents G/VAL/N/1/GMB/1, 11 April 2014; and G/VAL/N/4/GMB/1, 1 May 2014.  
11 WTO document G/PSI/N/1/Rev.1/Add.4, 1 May 2014.  
12 WTO document G/RO/N/109, 31 January 2014.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).13 The ETLS covers the following products: agricult ure and livestock 
products; fishery products; mining products; artisanal handicrafts ; and industrial goods.  
3.14.   The ECOWAS rules of origin are expressed as:  
 Wholly produced criterion;  
 A change of HS tariff sub -heading criterion; or  
 Value -added criterion.  
3.15.   Goods are regarded as wholly produced within ECOWAS if at least 60% of the raw materials 
used in their production originate from the ECOWAS region. Regarding the value -added criterion, 
the good s are considered as ECOWAS originat ing if the materials used in  producing the product 
receive a value addition in the production process of at least 30% of the ex -factory price of the 
finished goods. Regional cumulation within the ECOWAS region is allowed under the rules.  
3.16.   A harmonized ECOWAS Certificate of Origin is r equired under the ETLS.14 Products that 
satisfy ECOWAS rules of origin from ETLS -certified enterprises can enter The Gambia duty -free. In 
2002, ECOWAS adopted a new procedure for approval of industrial products, which led to the 
establishment of a National Approvals Committee (NAC) in each member State . The NAC is 
responsible for issuing the enterprise -specific and product -specific ECOWAS certificates, after 
approval by the ECOWAS Commission.15 The ECOWAS Commission maintains a list of approved 
enterprises an d approved products.16  
3.1.3   Tariffs   
3.1.3.1   Applied MFN customs duties  
In overview, The Gambia has implemented the new five -tiered ECOWAS Common External 3.17.   
Tariff without exceptions since 1 January 2017. The tariff reform entails adjustments in the 
customs duty rates f or nearly two -thirds of all tariff lines, taking  the Customs T ariff of 2010  of The 
Gambia as a benchmark.17 Under t he ECOWAS CET , the average level of nominal protection for 
The Gambia is lower than that under the 2010 Customs Tariff of The Gambia, and a wider range of 
products is now classified  as inputs (essential commodities, raw materials, and capital goods), 
which have had their applied rates reduced to 5 %. However, the ECOWAS CET is considered 
problematic in a number of sectors from the point of view  of competitiveness or food security.  
Furthermore , actual applied tariffs differ from the statutory rates because of widespread tariff 
relief (exemptions , remissions ). Tariff relief is one of the key parameters  when assessing the new 
CET in terms of tax re venues and tariff protection.  
The Customs Tariff of 2010 of The Gambia is the benchmark for purposes of this analysis. 3.18.   
The previous  major tariff reform in the Gambia was undertaken in 2010 when it moved towards 
the (then) four-band Common Customs Tariff of  ECOWAS (itself based on the customs tariff 
originally applied by WAEMU/UEOMA).18 Although The Gambia's C ustoms Tariff was then  based on 
the four -tier ECOWAS CET of zero, 5%, 10% and 20%, the rates of thousands of lines differed. 
With the adoption of the new customs tariff in 2010, The Gambia's simple average applied MFN 
tariff rate declined to 14.1% (down from 19%) and the share o f duty -free tariff lines increased to 
15.1% (up from 0.7%). This reform was covered in the previous  TPR of The Gambia.19  
                                                
13 ECOWAS Protocol A/P1/1/03 of 31 January 2003. Viewed at: http://www.etls.ecowas.int/etls/about -
etls/.  
14 No certificate is required for agricultural, livestock products and handicraft goods.  
15 Regulation REG./3/4/02 of 23 April 2002. Viewed at: 
http://www.aidfortra de.ecowas.int/programmes/ecowas -trade-liberalization -scheme -etls. 
16 ECOWAS Commission online information, "Approved Products". Viewed at: 
http://www.etls.ecowas.int/approved -products/ .  
17 The changes affect 3,820 lines at HS12 ten -digit level (65% of the total), when compared with 
The Customs Tariff of 2010.  
18 Decision A/DEC.17/1/06 Adopting the ECOWAS Common External Tariff by the Authority of Heads and 
State and Government, Niamey, 12 Ja nuary 2006. Cited at: 
http://www.ecowas.int/wpcontent/uploads/2015/01/1 -Tariff-and-Statiscal -Nomenclature.pdf . 
19 WTO (2010), Trade Policy Review of The Gambia , Geneva.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 32 - 
 
 Since 2010, a few tariff adjustments have been made . For instance, w ith effect from 1 3.19.   
January 201 3, the applied MFN tariffs were increa sed for rice (to 5%, up from zero); and sugar, 
flour, and cooking oil (to 20%, up from 5%).20 
 On 25 October 2013, the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS adopted a new five - 3.20.   
tiered ECOWAS CET, which took effect on 1 January 2015.21 As of July 2017, it is being applied by 
all ECOWAS members with the exception of Cabo Verde  and Liberia [July 2017] . In The Gambia, 
the ECOWAS CET entered into force – with a two -year delay – on 1 January 2017 .22  
The following are some of the main features of the ECOWAS CET, as  applied by The Gambia.  3.21.   
a. Structure  – The ECOWAS members introduced a fifth tier, at 35%. Previously, the 
maximum tariff was 20%. The tariff classification consists of essential social commodities 
(duty -free); essential commodities, raw materials, and capit al goods ( rate of 5%); 
intermediate products ( rate of 10%); consumer goods ( rate of 20%); specific goods for 
economic development (rate  of 35%). The new maximum tariff applies at 35% to 130 
tariff lines (2.2% out of a total of 5,899 tariff lines at HS12 ten -digit level, Table A3.1). 
It covers selected agricultural products; cotton (HS52), and soap and products (HS34).  
b. Tariff average  – The simple average MFN customs duty rate of the ne w CET (12.3%) is 
lower than The Gambia's  simple average applied MFN tariff in 2010 (14.1%) (Table 3.2). 
Tariffs on agricultural products (WTO definition) average 15.5% (down from 16.5%) and 
the average tariff on non -agricultural products is 11.7% (down fro m 13.7%). The 
highest tariffs apply, on average, to live animals and meat (24.1%, up from 15.2%), and 
clothing (20%). The new common tariff shows a classic pattern of tariff escalation 
providing higher effective than nominal protection to goods classified as consumer goods 
and economic development goods (Table A3.2).  
Table 3.2 Structure of applied MFN tariffs – The Gambia Customs Tariff 2010 and 
ECOWAS CET  
(%) 
  2010  2017  Final bounda 
1.  Bound tariff lines (% of all tariff lines)  n.a. n.a. 14.8 
2. Simple average applied MFN tariff rate  14.1 12.3 103.4  
 Agricultural products (WTO definition)  16.5 15.5 105.1  
 Non-agricultural products (WTO definition)  13.7 11.7 61.3 
 Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing (ISIC 1)  15.5 11.9 106.3  
 Mining and quarrying (ISIC 2)  7.5 5.1 40.0 
 Manufacturing (ISIC 3)  14.1 12.4 102.4  
3. Duty-free tariff lines (% of all tariff lines)  15.1 1.4 0.0 
4. Simple average rate of dutiable lines only  16.6 12.4 103.4  
5. Tariff quotas (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 0.0 0.0 
6. Non-ad valorem  tariffs (% of all tariff lines)  0.0 0.0 0.0 
7. Domestic tariff peaks (% of all tariff lines)b 0.0 0.0 0.0 
8. International tariff peaks (% of all tariff lines)c 57.5 38.9 14.8 
9. Overall standard deviation of applied rates  7.5 7.5 21.0 
10. Coefficient of variation  0.5 0.6 0.2 
11 Nuisance applied rates (% of all tariff lines)d 0.0 0.0 0.0 
n.a. Not applicable.  
a Final bound rates are based on The Gambia's schedule of concessions in HS 20 12 version from the 
Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) Database. Calculations are based on total tariff lines.  
b Domestic tariff peaks are defined as those exceeding three times the overall simple average applied 
rate. 
                                                
20 Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (2016), "Budget Speech 2013", p. 41.  
21 Declaration of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS on the Implementation of the ECOWAS 
Common External Tariff (CET), 15 December 2014, Abuja. Viewed at: http://www.ecowas.int/wp -
content/uploads/2015/01/2 -CET-Implementation.pdf . 
22 It appears that the ECOWAS CET, as of January 2017, is identical with the original EC OWAS CET of 
2015, apart from 43 amendments between 2015 and 2017. These amendments have not been taken into 
account in the Secretariat's tariff analysis.   WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 33 - 
 
 c International tariff peaks are def ined as those exceeding 15%.  
d Nuisance rates are those greater than zero, but less than or equal to 2%.  
Note:  The 2010 tariff is based on HS07 nomenclature consisting of 5,091 tariff lines (at the 8 -digit tariff 
line level). The 2017 tariff is based on HS 12 nomenclature consisting of 5,899 tariff lines (at the 
10-digit tariff line level).  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on tariff information provided by authorities and WTO IDB 
database.  
c. Reclassification – There are some important shifts in the distribution of tariffs owing to 
reclassification of tariff lines. In particular, tariff lines were reattributed to the 5% tier of 
"essential commodities, raw materials, and capital goods" (Chart 3.1). The total number 
of tariff lines that are now classifi ed as "essential commodities/raw materials/capital 
goods" increased almost ten -fold (to 2,146 tariff lines compared with 225 lines in the 
2010 customs tariff). As a result, the share of all tariff lines that are within the second 
band (5% tier) has increas ed to 36.4% of tariff lines (up from 3.8%). The  reattribution 
to the second band has three "origins", as can be seen in Table A3. 3 (providing a break -
down of the tariff shifts from the 2010 customs tariff to the ECOWAS CET):  
i. Products previously classified  as essential social commodities (duty -free) that are 
now subject to a 5% tariff  rate (second band) (see arrow in Chart 3.1). Products 
affected by the tariff increase include, for example, capital goods (HS 84, 85, 86, 88 
and 90) – 412 tariff lines. Live animals (HS 01 all lines) were duty -free in the 2010 
customs tariff, whereas tariffs  in the ECOWAS CET  are set at 5% (13 ta riff lines) or 
10% (25 tariff lines).  
ii. Products previously classified as consumer goods that are now in the second band, 
as indicated by the arrow in Chart 3.1 (with tariffs reduced from 20% to 5%). For 
example, capital goods (HS 84 and 85 – 179 tariff lines); plastics (HS 39 – 65 tariff 
lines); iron and steel (HS 72 – 48 tariff lines) (Table A3. 3).  
iii. Products previously classified as intermediate products that are now in the second 
band (with tariffs reduced from 10% to 5%). For example, iron and steel ( HS 72) – 
71 tariff lines; or organic chemicals (HS 29) – 342 tariff lines (Table A3. 3).  
Table 3.3 and Chart 3.2 show the tariff shifts between bands, when moving from the 2010 3.22.   
customs tariff to the ECOWAS CET. The numbers in bold (Table 3.3) or bars outli ned in bold 
(Chart  3.2) indicate the number of tariff lines remaining unchanged. For example, the 2010 
customs tariff had 836 duty -free tariff lines, of which : 40 remain duty -free; 701 become dutiable 
at 5%; 68 at 10%; 27 at 20%; and no tariff lines are sh ifted into the 35% band.  
For previously duty -free tariff lines (first band) or subject to 5% duty (second band), the 3.23.   
new ECOWAS CET results in more tariff increases than decreases (see orange areas in Table  3.3); 
and for the tariff lines previously in the  third and fourth tier (10% or 20% tariff), the new CET 
result s in more tariff decreases than increases. On balance, with the tariff reclassification, the 
simple average tariff rate is reduced , albeit not significantly (from 14.1% to 12.3% ).  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 34 - 
 
 Chart 3.1 Distribution of applied MFN tariffs – The Gambia Customs Tariff 2010 versus 
ECOWAS CET  
Number of tariff lines  
 
Note:  For the purposes of comparison between applied MFN rates of the 2010 customs tariff and the 
ECOWAS CET ( where the HS nomenclature and the number of tariff lines differ), t he 2010 tariffs 
(HS 2007 nomenclature) are aligned with the ECOWAS CET schedule (HS 2012 nomenclature) using 
the WCO correlation table. This chart is based on a standardized set  of 5,899 tariff lines  (based on 
the ECOWAS CET schedule)  for 2010 and 2017 . Therefore, Table 3.2 and Chart 3.1 do not show 
exactly the same results. See also  the note to Table 3.2.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates, based on tariff information provided by  the authorities and WTO IDB 
database.  
Overall, the reattribution of products to the second tariff band (essential commodities/raw 3.24.   
materials/capital goods) should enhance the competitiveness  of the economy, other factors 
remaining equal.  Moreover, the ave rage level of nominal protection has been slightly reduced. 
However, the new CET raises a number of issues for individual products . First, it considerably 
reduces the scope (number) of essential social commodities (first band) benefitting from duty -free 
treatment. Only 1.4% of lines remain duty -free (down from about 15% in the 2010 customs 
tariff), as 796 previously duty -free tariff lines were moved to the bands with higher tariffs ranging 
from 5% to 35% (Table 3.3). For example, rice is the main staple of the population; the country's 
needs are largely imported, and imports were duty -free, but the new rice tariffs range up to 10% 
(husked rice, semi -milled or wholly -milled rice, and broken rice). The consumers will have to face 
the bill of higher customs dut ies for these products. Second, the new CET may give rise to issues 
of competitiveness for some products, where the total border taxation appears to be high (tariff 
plus VAT and ECOWAS levy and other charges). For instance, the CET tariffs for packaging 
material (HS 48), where The  Gambia relies on imports, range from 5 to 20% under the new CET, 
which including other taxes may result in a total border taxation of up to 40%.  
Table 3.3 The Gambia Customs Tariff 2 010 and ECOWAS CET , by band  
 ECOWAS CET  
  0 5 10 20 35 Total  
The Gambia 
tariff (2010)  0 40  701  68  27  0  836  
5 24  74  51  68  8  225  
10 11  666  249  354  19  1,299  
20 10  705  1,005  1,716  103  3,539  
Total  85  2,146  1,373  2,165  130  5,899  
Note:  1. See the note to Chart 3.1.  
 2. Areas in orange refer to increases in duty rates, areas in green to tariff reduction, and grey to no 
tariff changes in the ECOWAS, compa red with T he Gambia's customs tariff in 2010.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates, based on tariff information provided by the authorities and WTO IDB 
database.  
836
2251,2993,539
852,146
1,3732,165
130
05001,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,000
Duty-free 5% 10% 20% 35%2010 2017
WTO Secretariat estimates, based on tariff information provided by authorities and WTO IDB database. Chart 3.1 Distribution of applied MFN tariffs –ECOWAS CET 2017 vs. Gambian Customs 
Tariff 2010 
Number of tariff lines
Source:WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 35 - 
 
 Chart 3.2 Tariff shifts from The Gambia's customs t ariff (2010) to ECOWAS CET  (2017)  
Number of tariff l ines 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates, based on tariff information provided by the authorities and WTO IDB 
database.  
The ECOWAS customs tariff allows temporary, national exceptions to the CET of up to 3% of 3.25.   
tariff lines  for "sensitive" products . The tr ansitional period for exceptions from the CET expires on 
1 January 2020, i.e. in practice five years after entry into force of the CET. The Gambia has not 
availed itself of this flexibility and is currently implementing the ECOWAS CET without exceptions. 
With less than three years of the transitional period remaining  [July 2017] , the finalization of a 
national list of exclusions for sensitive products  (179 tariff lines) is pending.  In general, The 
Gambia intends  to set rates lower than the CET on certain basic commodities; and rates higher 
than the CET on harmful products, such as tobacco. The exception s list may still be applied in 
2017, according to the authorities.   
Owing to tariff exemptions  (or remissions) , the "actual" customs duties paid may differ from 3.26.   
the statutory rates. In The Gambia, the incidence of tariff exemptions and the resulting revenue 
foregone has been  high (Section 1 .1). Exemptions are like tunnels in the tariff wall; they affect tax 
revenues, and protection and competitiveness. An ass essment of the CET not only depends on the 
statutory tariffs, but also  on the extent to which tariff exemptions will be granted in the future. It 
is an open question whether the new CET will allow the Government to reduce the tariff 
exemptions – while many  tariffs on inputs (raw materials, capital goods) were reduced by shifting 
them into the second band, they still remain dutiable at 5%.  
The ECOWAS CET does not provide for tariff quota access and The Gambia does not 3.27.   
maintain any tariff quotas.  
The 2010 C ustoms and Excise Act (Eleventh Schedule) provides for goods liable to variable 3.28.   
import duty  in case of emergencies . This "safeguard" in exceptional circumstances was last applied 
to rice in 2012, according to the authorities.  
3.1.3.2   Bound duties  
The Gambia has bo und 14.8% of its tariff lines at ad valorem rates ranging from 20% to 3.29.   
110%; the simple average bound rate is 103.4 % (Table 3.2). Most tariffs on agricultural products 
are bound at a ceiling rate of 110% (some 90% of all agricultur e tariff lines); lower bou nd rates 
(20% -85%) apply to a few agricultural products such as essential oils, albumins and raw furskins. 
The binding coverage of non -agricultural tariff lines is low (0.7% of total non -agriculture tariff 
lines); the bindings mainly cover gemstones (HS 7102, 71 03), silver waste and scrap 
40 24 11 10 701 
74 666 705 
68 51 249 1,005 
27 68 354 1,716 
8 19 103 
 - 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,000
0% 5% 10% 20%Essential social commodities (0%)
Essential commodities, raw materials and capital goods (5%)
Intermediate products (10%)
Consumer goods (20%)
Specific goods for economic development (35%)ECOWAS CETChart 3.[GMB] Tariff shifts to ECOWAS CET (2017) from The Gambia's customs tariff (2010) 
Number of tariff lines
The Gambia's  customs tariff (2010)
WTO Secretariat estimates, based on tariff information provided by authorities and WTO IDB database. Source:WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 36 - 
 
 (HS 711299), goldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares (HS 7114), and motor vehicles (HS 8702, 
8703).  
No applied rates exceed the tariff bindings. There is a large gap between the average bound 3.30.   
(103.4 %) and applied MFN rates (12.3 %), and there are no bindings for close to 90% of all tariff 
lines. This reduces the predictability of the tariff regime, although i n practice, the ECOWAS 
common external tariff effectively serves as the bound customs tariff for The Gambia with a 
comm itment to apply these rates on an MFN basis.  
3.1.3.3   Tariff exemptions  
The exemption regime  has remain ed largely unchanged  since The Gambia's previous 3.31.   
review . Customs duties may be waived either under the Customs and Excise Act, 2010 or as part 
of incentive pack ages under the GIEPA Investment and Export Promotion Agency Act, 2015 
(Section 3 .1.2). 
Exemptions from customs duties are listed in the Third Schedule to the Customs and Excise 3.32.   
Act, 2010 . 
a. Part A includes goods for use by the President, the armed forces, Co mmonwealth and 
other governments, certain goods imported under diplomatic privileges or by aid 
agencies, by the African Development Bank for official use, bona fide  gifts to charitable 
institutions, consumables imported for use in religious services, mater ials and equipment 
for use by or for disabled, blind or physically handicapped persons, badges and record 
books for the President's Award Scheme, goods for the Desert Locust and Red Locust 
Control Organizations, goods for military canteen organizations, eq uipment, drugs and 
motor vehicles for the Medical Research Council, passenger cars imported by military 
and police personnel returning from peace -keeping duties outside The Gambia, rewards 
and prizes obtained by Gambian sports -men and -women, and equipment  and parts for 
the rehabilitation of power -generating plant imported before 2003.  
b. Part B (General Exemption) includes operations -related goods for aircraft operations by 
designated airlines, containers and pallets, effects of deceased persons, fish, crusta ceans 
and molluscs landed by Gambian canoes or vessels, life -saving marine apparatus, 
passengers' baggage in general, protective clothing and equipment, samples, ships and 
other vessels, goods for national museums, seeds for sowing, breeding animals, semen  
and fish ova, raw materials for manufacture of medicaments, plastic sheetings for agri -, 
flori- or horticultural use, hatching eggs, power generating equipment, chemical 
fertilizers, medical hygienic bags, and ship -loading equipment.  
c. Part C specifies tha t capital goods, plant and machinery for investment, with written 
approval of the Minister, as well as cold storage equipment and refrigerated goods 
transport vehicles imported by farmers, with the written approval of the Director of 
Agriculture, are impor table duty free.  
The Second Schedule to the 2010 Customs and Excise Act allows the Minister of Finance and 3.33.   
Economic Affairs to suspend import duties on refined petroleum products. Currently  [July 2017],  
the imports carry customs duties  of 20%  (apart from zero-rated aircraft fuels ), which are collected 
at the point of sale rather than importation .  
The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs may also, under Section 190 of the Act, remit 3.34.   
import duties, in whole or in part, if he finds it is in the public interest to do so, on goods imported 
by registered non -profit institutions approved by the Government; raw materials for use in the 
manufacture of insecticides, fungicides, and similar products; component parts used in the 
manufacture of agricultural and h orticultural equipment; capital equipment and machinery 
imported for use in licensed customs bonded factories for export; goods imported by oil 
exploration companies in accordance with the Petroleum Act 2004; and goods for 
official -aid-funded projects.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 3.1.3.4   Tariff preferences  
The Gambia levies the MFN customs duties on imports from all of its trading partners 3.35.   
including other ECOWAS members, except for goods covered by the ECOWAS Trade Liberaliz ation 
Scheme (ETLS), which enter The Gambia duty-free. 
3.1.4   Other charg es affecting imports  
Indirect taxes (import duties, VAT, and excises) are the main source of government 3.36.   
revenues (Table 3. 4), and, g iven The Gambia's small industrial base, most of the indirect taxes are 
sourced from imports ("international trade taxes") ( Table 3. 5). 
Table 3.4 Tax revenues, 2010 -16 
(Dalasi million)  
  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016a 
Tax revenues  3,176  3,799  4,261  4,619  5,517  6,827  7,329 
 Direct tax  1,129  1,222  1,521  1,379  1,590  1,720  1,812  
 of which:         
 Personal income  447 620 758 574 617 730 758 
 Corporate income  535 507 653 685 848 507 945 
 Capital gains  112 45 44 50 51 64 44 
 Payroll tax  32 35 43 49 49 44 43 
 Indirect tax  2,048  2,577  2,740  3,240  3,927  5,107  5,517  
 of which:         
 Sales tax  1,113  1,509  981 26 19 1 n.a. 
 Value -added tax  n.a. n.a. n.a. 1,483  1,804  2,165  2,271  
 Import duties  722 853 870 1,303  1,546  2,128  2,424  
 Export duties  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
 Stamp duties  42 17 21 20 41 97 33 
 Excise duties  159 198 237 369 484 627 733 
n.a. Not applicable.  
a Provisional.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
Table 3.5 Selected indirect tax revenues, by source, 2011 -16 
(Dalasi million)  
  Source  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016a 
Sales tax  Domestic  517 594 26 19 1 n.a. 
 Import  948 981 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 
VAT Domestic  n.a. n.a. 645 724 819 894 
  Import  n.a. n.a. 838 1,081  1,346  1,377  
Excise "duties"  Domestic  n.a. 22 110 165 208 243 
Excise "taxes"  Import  200 214 259 318 419 490 
Environmental tax  Domestic  0.28 0.11 0.10 0.12 0.15 0.41 
 Import  10 12 10 41 57 56 
n.a. Not applicable . 
a provisional . 
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
Value -added tax  
3.37.   A (VAT) was introduced in January 2013, replacing the sales tax. The VAT is applied to 
goods and services (both imported and domestically -produced) at a standard rate of 15%. VAT on 
exports is zero rated. Exemptions from VAT apply to 15 types of goods and services, including 
basic food and drinks, books and printed matter, prescription medicine, agricultural and 
aquaculture supplies and equipment, medical, dental, optical and veterinary services, educational 
materials and services, and gold (in investment f orm). According to the authorities, aviation 
services are also exempted from VAT.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 38 - 
 
 Excises  
Selected products and services are excisable (Table 3.6). The taxation system differs 3.38.   
between imported and domestically -produced goods, although there is no local man ufacturing of 
certain products, such as cigarettes or cars. E xcise "duties" appl y to domestically produced goods ; 
the rates are ad valorem , based on the ex-factory price. Imported goods are subject to excise 
"taxes" ; the rates are specific  for some product s and ad valorem  for other items ( based on the 
c.i.f. price plus the customs import d uty and other charges). Whether or not there is differential 
treatment between imported and locally produced goods depends on the price of the product.  
For onions, potatoe s, and cement, excise taxes were eliminated in 2017. The excise tax 3.39.   
(and the environmental tax) on cigarettes and tobacco have been raised due to public health 
concerns as well as in fulfilment of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FTCT) 
commitme nts. The excise tax for cigarettes in 2 017 is D20/pack (up from D 5/pack in 2013); for 
tobacco, it  is D330/kg in 2017 (up from D 37.5/kg in 2013).  
Table 3.6 Excise tax and excise duty rates, January 2018 
Goods/s ervices  Excise tax  Excise duty  
Cigarettes  D20/pack  20% 
Beer D100/litre  10% 
Wine D150/litre  10% 
Spirits  D175/litre  15% 
Cars 
0-5 years  
5-10 years  
More than 10 years   
5% 
10% 
15%  
0 
0 
0 
Used cars  15% 5% 
Soft drinks  D5/litre  5% 
Juice D5/litre  5% 
Mineral water  D5/litre  5% 
Nails 5% 5% 
Wheel barrows  5% n.a. 
Laundry soap  D7.5/kg  5% 
Sugar confectionary  5% n.a. 
Tobacco  D330/kg  n.a. 
Telecommunication services  n.a. 5% 
n.a. Not applicable.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
Other duties and charges (ODCs)  
The Gambia levies a number of "other duties and charges" (ODCs) at the border ; ODCs are 3.40.   
bound at 10% in its schedule of concessions23:  
a. ECOWAS Community levy  (Section 2.3. 2.1).  
b. African Union levy  – The new tax took effect on 1 Jan uary 2017 and is levied at 0.2% on  
the c.i.f. value of imports from non -African origins.24  
c. Environmental tax on imports . 
The Gambia does not, at present, apply any of the "supplementary protection measures" 3.41.   
allowed under ECOWAS regulations.25 These trade policy instruments allow ECOWAS members, 
transitionally and under certain conditions, to exceed the CET rates and levy additional duties in 
the form of an "import adjustment tax" (which resembles a snap -back tariff to temporarily restore 
the previous  tariff rate) and/or "supplementary protection tax" (which resembles a volume - or 
                                                
23 Schedule CX – The Gambia. Viewed at: 
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/the_gambia_e.htm . 
24 "Budget Speech 2017", p.44.  
25 ECOWAS Commission, Regulation C/REG.1/09/13 on Supplementary Protection Measures (SPM) for 
the Implementation of the ECOWAS Common Extern al Tariff.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 39 - 
 
 price-based safeguard measure). The additional duties apply to imports from third countries and 
application is limited to 3% of the tariff lines for a period of five y ears. ECOWAS members are free 
to determine the supplementary protection tax consistent with their WTO commitments; prior 
authorization by the ECOWAS Commission is required for implementing the tax. The maximum 
aggregate MFN duty (CET plus any import adjust ment tax and supplementary protection tax) 
cannot exceed 70%. These import measures replace the cyclical import tax ( taxe conjoncturelle à 
l'importation ) and the de gressive importation tax ( taxe digressive de protection ), formerly applied 
in the WAEMU regi on. 
3.1.5   Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
3.1.5.1   Import prohibitions  
3.42.   Prohibited imports are listed in the Eighth Schedule (Part A) of the Customs and Excise Act, 
2010. Import prohibitions are imposed on the grounds of, inter alia , public health, public  order and 
safety, public morality, and international obligations.26 Goods subject to import prohibition include 
false or counterfeit money, indecent or obscene articles, matches containing white phosphorous, 
articles deceptively marked with Gambian coats o f arms, advertisements for cures for cancer, 
tuberculosis or venereal/sexual diseases or complaints27, firearms and ammunition etc., any 
organic phosphorous compound, and asbestos in all forms. The Act prohibits importation of goods 
that do not meet Gambian  Standards set by the Gambia Standards Bureau, although all Gambian 
Standards are deemed to be voluntary (Section 3.3.3). In addition, skimmed milk, and 
"exhausted" tea are prohibited from entering the country, pursuant to the Customs and Excise Act , 
2010.  
3.43.   It is difficult to establish an exhaustive list of products subject to import prohibition (or 
restriction ). In 2015, a ban on imports of plastic bags and related plastic materials was introduced. 
In the past, bans were periodically placed on imports of po tatoes and onions to protect local 
producers at the harvest time.  
3.44.   The Gambia is a signatory of the Rotterdam Convention and the Stockholm Convention, 
under which imports are prohibited for DNOC, parathion, dustable powders of benomyl, thiram and 
carbofura m, ethylene dichloride and oxide, and monocrotophos and persistent organic pollutants 
(POPs) listed in Annex A.28 
3.1.5.2   Import restrictions  
3.45.   Importation of some prohibited products may be permitted  if certain conditions are met. 
Such products are listed as "restri cted imports" in Part B of the Eighth Schedule of the Customs 
and Excise Act , 2010. According to the authorities, import restrictions may be implemented for 
reasons of public safety, environment, and revenue management. Import restrictions cover 
products o f, inter alia,  tear gas (and other similar substance s), potable spirits, denatured spirits, 
postal franking machines, game animal traps, used motor vehicles, and live fish (except "live fish 
indigenous to The Gambia"). Most products subject to import restr iction require a n import permit 
granted by the relevant line ministry prior to importation.  
3.1.5.3   Import licensing  
3.46.   While permits are required to import certain products subject to import restriction,  The 
Gambia has notified the WTO that it does not maintain an i mport licensing system.29  
                                                
26 Article 38(1), Customs and Excise Act 2010.  
27 Any medicine, appliance or articles affixed such an advertisement or statement are also prohibited.  
28 Annex A comprises Aldrin, Chlordane, Chlordecone, Dieldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor, Hexabromobiphen yl, 
Hexachlorodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphanyl ether, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Alpha 
hexachlorocyclohexane, Beta hexachlorocyclohexane, Lindane, Mirex, Pentachlorobenzene, Polychlorinated 
biphenyls (PCB), Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodipheny l ether, and Toxaphene.  See Stockholm 
Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants online information, "What are POPs?".  Viewed at: 
http://chm.pops.int/Convention/ ThePOPs/tabid/673/language/fr -CH/Default.aspx .  
29 WTO document, G/LIC/N/3/GMB/4, 20 January 2014.   WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 3.1.6   Anti-dumping, countervailing, and safeguard measures  
3.47.   ECOWAS provides for rules regarding t rade contingency measures (i.e. anti-dumping, 
countervailing and safeguard measures ).30  
3.48.   The Gambia notified the WTO in 2014 that it had not established a competent authority to 
undertake anti -dumping or countervailing investigations, nor did it anticipate taking any actions in 
the foreseeable future.31  
3.49.   The Gambia does not maintain any safeguard measure s.32  
3.1.7   Other measures  affecting imports  
3.50.   The Secretariat is not aware of any trade -related investment measure s (TRIMs).33 
3.2  Measures Directly Affecting Exports  
3.2.1   Customs  procedures and requirements  
In general, procedures applied to exports are similar to those applied to imports. Pre - 3.51.   
departure declara tions for exports must be submitted to GRA. Certain goods for exportation, 
including warehoused goods, goods on which drawback may be claimed, and dutiable goods 
intended for transhipment, may be subject to a deposit payment prior to loading of goods on 
vessels or aircrafts.  
According to the World Bank 's studies, exports from The Gambia are more efficient in terms 3.52.   
of time and money than the regional average for Sub-Sahara n Africa; however, the time spen t by 
exporters on border procedure compliance is greate r than the regional average (Table  3.7). 
Table 3.7 Time and cost for exports from The Gambia, 2017  
  The Gambia  Sub-Saharan Africa average  
Time to export (hours)  Border compliance  109 103 
 Documentary compliance  61 93 
Cost to export (US$)  Border compliance  381 583 
 Documentary compliance  183 230 
Source:  World Bank Group (2017), Doing Business 2017: Equal Opportunity For All, Economy Profile 2017: 
The Gambia . Viewed at: 
http://www.doingbusiness.org/reports/globalreports/~/media/WBG/DoingBusiness/documents/profil
es/country/GMB.pdf . 
3.2.2   Taxes, charges, a nd levies  
3.53.   Goods subject to export taxes  are listed in the Fourth Schedule of the Customs and Excise 
Act. Currently, export taxes  are applied to waste and scrap of precious metal, at a rate of 5%.  
3.54.   There are no other taxes, levies, and charges applied to ex ports, according to the 
authorities.  
3.2.3   Export prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
3.55.   Similar to import prohibitions, goods prohibited from export are listed in the Eighth 
Schedule of the Customs and Excise Act. The Schedule contains a broad definition, i.e. "All goods 
the exportation of which is prohibited under this Act or any law for the time being in force in The 
Gambia". Firearms and ammunition, as well as asbestos , are prohibited from exportation.  
                                                
30 ECOWAS Regulations C/REG.5/6/13, C/REG.6/6/13, and C/REG.4/06/13.  
31 WTO documents G/ADP/N/193/GMB and G/SCM/N/202/GMB, 7 February 2014. See also WTO 
documents G/ADP/N/1/GMB/1 and G/SCM/N/1/GMB/1, 7 February 2014.  
32 See also WTO document, G/SG/N/1/GMB/1, 21 January 2014.  
33 WTO document, G/TRIMS/N/2/Rev.23, 9 September 2013 . WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 41 - 
 
 3.56.   The Act also restricts exports of rough or uncut diamonds, except under licence issued by 
the Minister; goods officially exported by or on behalf of the Armed Forces or the Government; and 
warehoused goods, goods under duty drawback, and goods for transhipment shipped in vessels of 
less than 250 register ed tonnes.  
3.57.   The Gambia imposed a ban on timber exports and re -exports in February 2017, which was 
lifted in May 2017.  
3.58.   The Gambia does not have an export licensing regime, according to the authorities.  
3.2.4   Export support and promotion  
3.59.   The Gambia Investment & Ex port Promotion Agency (GIEPA), established in 2010, is 
responsible, inter alia , for Special Investment Certificates (SICs) (Section 3.3. 1) and export 
processing zones. The Gambia has a National Export Strategy in place, implemented by the GIEPA 
(Section 2 .3.3). GIEPA also offers programme s for participating  in international trade fairs and 
trade missions.  
3.60.   EPZ enterprises are exempted from import duties and excise duties, and corporate income 
tax and municipal taxes.  Enterprises located outside an EPZ exporting at least 30% of their 
products may enjoy a 10% reduction in annual corporate or turnover tax liability for five years.  
3.61.   The Gambia set up the "July 22nd Business Park" in 2001 as its first EPZ under the 
managemen t of GIEPA. The Business Park occupies  168 hectares , and is located  near to the Banjul 
International Airport. The Park offers infrastructure such as  electricity, water, telecommunication s 
and waste management. Business es engaged in manufacturing and proces sing, agribusiness, 
assembling, bulk breaking, labelling, packaging and repackaging, warehousing, information and 
communication technology, and financial and offshore services are invited to operate in the Park. 
Business es operat ing in EPZs must be license d by GIEPA. The licence is valid for ten years and not 
transferable. Licensed business in an EPZ must export at least 80% of their output in order to 
enjoy the incentives granted to EPZ enterprises.  
3.62.   According to the authorities, other standalone EPZs are o perating throughout the country  
(nine, as of July 2017) . These EPZs are approved but not man aged by GIEPA.  
3.2.5   Export finance, insurance, and guarantees  
3.63.   The Gambia does not provide, or participate in, export financing. There is no scheme to 
cover political ris k or other types of insurance guarantees.  
3.3  Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.1   Incentives  
3.64.   The Gambia grants incentives to certain qualifying investments ; in accordance with the 
Gambia Investment & Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) Act  (see also Section  3.2.4), tax  
incentives are provided for investments in priority sectors (Table A3 .4).34 To be eligible, the 
investment must be  of at least US$100,000 (for domestic investors), or US$250,000 (for foreign 
investors). A qualified investment project benefits fr om a tax holiday with respect to corporate 
income tax and depreciation allowance for five years;35 import duties, VAT, and excise taxes are 
exempted for the imported capital goods for the investment project. A Special Investment 
Certificate (SIC) is require d for the qualified investment in order to enjoy the incentives. GIEPA is 
the sole agency responsible for assessing the investment application and issuing an SIC. An SIC is 
valid for five years, and not transferable. An SIC may be extended, subject to meet ing some 
conditions, for another two years.  
                                                
34 Priority areas cover almost the whole territory outside the city of Banjul, i.e. Western Region (Foni, 
Kombo East and Kombo Central except the town of Brikama), Lower River Region, North Bank Region, Central 
River Region, and Upper River Region.  
35 The tax holiday is granted for a period of eight years if the investment project is established in a 
designated priority area.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 42 - 
 
 3.65.   For eligible investment projects of  at least US$5,000,000 in agriculture, fisheries,  energy or 
the technology sector, an "enhanced incentive" may be granted to investors. Enhanced incentives  
include all the incen tives under an SIC, but extended for a n additional period of five years36; in 
addition to zero withholding tax on dividends for ten years from the date of first declaration (if no 
dividend was declared in the first five years since the issuance of the SIC).  
3.66.   For eligible domestic investment s of less than US$100,000, the following incentives  are 
available : exemption from turnover tax for three years, reduced corporate tax rate (i.e. 15%) for 
three years, and import duty waiver  on capital goods. A Domestic Inve stment Certificate from 
GIEPA is required for enjoying these benefits. For micro, small, and medium -sized enterprises in 
the priority sectors, "exemptions for tax and municipal taxes" are granted for five years.  
3.3.2   Standards and other technical requirements  
3.67.   The Gambia has made progress  in the area of standards and technical requirements since 
the last  TPR in 2010. Its standards  regime is subject to ECOWAS rules on standard harmonization 
(ECOSHAM) ; the authorities state that ECOSHAM is  based on WTO and ISO/IEC rules . The Gambia 
Standards Bureau Act 2010 is the main national legislation. The Gambia Standards Bureau (TGSB) 
under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE) became 
operational in 2011. The Bureau is responsible for standardizing methods, processes and products 
in the country , and is the WTO TBT enquiry point; the MOTIE is responsible for WTO 
notifications.37 No specific trade concerns have been raised against The Gambia's TBT measures  in 
the WT O TBT Committee . 
3.68.   Interested parties (public sector, private sector, academia, and the public) may submit 
proposals for national standards to TGSB. National standard technical committees under the TSGB 
prepare draft standards,  and publish them for comments.  The authorities indicated that a 60 -day 
period is usually given for public comments; the TGSB provides written responses to comments 
received. Final texts of standards must be approved by the TGSB Board of Directors38 prior to 
being declared by the Ministe r of Trade and published in the Government Gazette . In 2016, with 
support from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the TGSB began to develop 
a National Standardization Strategy for the period 2017 -2020.  
3.69.   The authorities indicated that the TGSB, in practice, seeks as far  as possible to adopt 
existing international standards when it prepares the Gambian standards; most Gambian 
standards currently in force are directly adopted from international standards except where 
necessary local adapt ation has to be made to reflect Gambia -specific conditions (e.g. climate, 
geographical factors, indigenous products). The TGSB, as a participant in the  process of  
ECOSHAM39, adopts the harmonized regional standards as Gambian standards.40 As of July 2017, 
The Gambia had adopted 33 national Gambian standards, covering, inter alia , wheat flour, 
groundnuts, sugars, rice, edible fats and oil, natural mineral water, bottled water, and pre -
packaged food .  
3.70.   Under the Gambia Standards Bureau Act, all Gambian standards are voluntary except those 
designated as technical regulations in the respective legislation. Technical regulations are 
developed by sectoral regulatory bodies in close consultation with TGSB; al l draft technical 
regulations must be vetted by a Technical Regulation Coordination Committee before submission 
to the legislature . Currently, t here are no technical regulations in force  that are based on 
standards .  
                                                
36 Enhanced incentives for investment in the energy sector: the SIC incentives are extended for a 
further period of up to ten years.  
37 See also WTO document G/TBT/CS/N/183 , 20 January 2014.  
38 The authorities indicated that the Board of Directors represents the stakeholders, whose members 
come from both public and private sectors.  
39 ECOWAS Regulation C/REG.14/12/12 Adopting ECOWAS Standar ds Harmonization Model and 
Procedures.  
40 If a national standard exists, it will be repealed and replaced by the relevant ECOWAS standard.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 43 - 
 
 3.71.   TGSB does not carry out market surveill ance operations41 and does  not have standards 
officers at any border posts. There are no provisions on certification requirements for both imports 
and locally  produced goods. TGSB provides conformity assessment of products, upon request.  
3.72.   TGSB is a member of  the following international organizations: the International 
Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and 
the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC). The Gambia has no mutual 
recognition agreements (MRAs) with any countries, nor is it a member of any international 
accreditation organization such as the International Accreditation Forum, Inc. (IAF).  
3.73.   Telecommunication equipment , including radio communication devices , is subject to type-
approval tests before being  placed in the market. The type -approval tests are carried out by the 
Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA). According to the authorities, technical standards applied 
to telecommunication equipment are based on paramete rs recommended by the International 
Telecommunication Union (ITU).  
3.74.   Labelling requirements42 are enforced by the Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA). The 
FSQA is in the process of preparing a regulation on labelling of pre -packaged food.43  
3.3.3   Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements  
The Gambia has reformed its food safety regime. A new Food Safety and Quality Act, 2011 3.75.   
was enacted , followed by the establishment of the Food Safety and Quality Authority with unified 
responsibilities to ensure the safety of food and feed.  The animal health and plant protection 
regimes, on the other hand, appear to be obsolete and require ( assisted) modernization. ECOWAS 
has adopted a regulation to improve cooperation in the region and harmonize the rules with 
respect to food saf ety, and animal and plant health.44 No specific trade concerns have been raised 
against The Gambia's SPS measures  in the WTO SPS Committee . 
Food safety  
 
The Food Safety and Quality Act , 2011 applies to all food products of plant and animal origin 3.76.   
destined for human consumption45, and animal feed – whether locally produced  or imported . The 
legislation was notified to the SPS Committee in 2010.46 The Act provides that SPS measures must 
be ba sed on the principles of non -discrimination, scientific evidence, effectiveness, equity, 
proportionality, the use of precaution, and transparency (Art. 24 -27). Subject to the constitution of 
The Gambia, the provisions of the Act prevail in the event of con flicting legislation (Art. 60).47  
The new Food Safety and Quality Authority ( FSQA) became operational in  July 2013 and 3.77.   
reports to the Office of the Vice -President.48 The agency is funded from the general bu dget and 
licensing fees; it has a staff of about 50  [July 2017] . The newly -established Food Control Advisory 
Committee has the task of providing advice to the Vice -President on the development of food 
safety legislation, and monitor ing the performance of the FSQA with a view to ensuring compliance 
with int ernational commitments (Art. 15).   
The FSQA's responsibilities comprise overall government surveillance to ensure compliance 3.78.   
with safety and quality requirements for food and feed; inspections, sampling and certification for 
import and export (Art. 4); and  promulgation of regulations (Art. 41). The FSQA also serves as the 
National Codex Alimentarius contact point  and SPS enquiry point . Certain tasks previously 
performed by other Ministries have been transferred to the FSQA : 
                                                
41 The authorities indicated that market surveillance operations are carried out by sectoral regulators 
instead.  
42 Article 8 of the Consumer Protection Act also sets forth principles for labelling requirements.  
43 Currently, th ere is a  Gambian Standard for Labelling of Pre -packaged Foods (see Table A2.1).  
44 Regulation C/REG.21/11/10.  
45 Including water, additives and supplements.  
46 WTO document G/SPS/N/GMB/1, 4 March 2010. The Gambia also notified the Fisheries Act 2007 to 
the SPS Committee, WTO document G/SPS/N/GMB/2, 7 January 2011.  
47 The Food Act 2005 and the Public Health Act were partially repealed (Art. 62): some  provisions of the 
former remain applicable to the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), while the provisions regarding import 
inspections were removed from the latter.  
48 FSQA online information. Viewed at: http://www.fsqa.g m/. WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 a. control, licensing, and inspectio n of poultry establishments  and slaughterhouses ; 
inspection of slaughtered animals ; control of poultry and animal products on farms and 
production sites (transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture);  
b. control of fish and fish products and fish processing establishments (transferred from the 
Ministry of Fisheries);  
c. control of food hygiene in food establishments and markets (transferred from the 
Ministry of Health).  
The general food import requirements provide that the food (or feed) must comply with the 3.79.   
relevant requirements of the Act or equivalent conditions recognized by the FSQA or the 
requirements of any agreement between The Gambia and the exporting country (Art. 30).49  
In addition, the FSQA has issued guidelines for food importers, available on its website. 3.80.   
Accordingly, a ll importers of food and feed must be registered  (small -scale food businesses)  or 
licensed  (large -scale and importers/exporters) , subject to exemptions that may be granted by the 
Vice-President (Art. 32).  The FSQA will inspect p remis es and facilities, including vehicles or 
vessels. Importer permits (licences) are valid for one year, renewable. Licensed importers must 
submit an import declaration at least 21 days before arrival of the consignment; and, upon arrival, 
a certificate of or igin and a certificate issued by the food safety authority of the exporting country.  
Specific guidelines apply to imports of pre -packaged fresh or frozen meat and meat 3.81.   
products (including offal). These are: i mporters require a consignment -specific import permit; the 
products must come from approved export establishments and be accompanied by an inspection 
certificate; and be labelled (name of product, date of slaughter, date of packaging). The same 
requirements apply to imports of frozen poultry products .  
In July 2013, the Government announced a ban on imports of frozen poultry parts. The ban 3.82.   
was lifted in November 2013, followed by a new requirement that imports of poultry products must 
be SGS -certified to be hormone -free. In October 2014, the Government banned the importation of 
beef offal (liver and kidney) regardless of origin, because of concerns over the manner in which it 
had been handled and sold to the public. The ban was lifted in 2014.50 
For potatoes, onions, and edible fat and oils, three (produc t-specific ) food safety regulations 3.83.   
were adopted that provide for standards based on Codex Alimentarius and national minimum 
quality requirements (size etc.). Imports of these products require, inter alia , an import permit 
issued by the FSQA.  
In 2013, The Gambia adopted ten Codex -based food standards (Table A2.1). The Gambia 3.84.   
has implemented the  Codex  Principles of Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification  
(CAC/GL 20 -1995) and the Guidelines for Food Import Control Systems (AC/GL47/2003) . 
There are four official testing laboratories , none of which has international accreditation : the 3.85.   
National Agricultural Research Institute Laboratory , for aflatoxin testing on groundnuts  (for 
exports, lab analysis is outsourced to Dakar -based and European labs) ; the Fisheries Laboratory , 
for microbiology testing of fish; the National Health Laboratory , for chemical testing of food  items ; 
and the Veterinary Laboratory , for microbiology testing of foods of animal origin  and eggs; there is 
no local lab capacity for t esting of honey . According to the Food Safety and Quality Act, official 
testing laboratories must comply with ISO Standard 17025 (Art.  53). The National Food Testing 
Laboratory (once operational) is to perform all food testing and seek international accred itation.  
The authorities  are developing regulati ons on certain matters such as labelling  (Labelling of 3.86.   
Pre-Packaged Foods Regulation ), accreditation of testing laboratories, and the composition of food 
and feed. The Act prohibits false or misleading descri ptions and requires labelling to be at least in 
English. Non -compliance with this provision may entail a fine of up to five hundred thousand 
dalasis, imprisonment not  exceeding five years, or both.  
                                                
49 There are no equivalency lists to date.  
50 U.S. Department of State. Viewed at: https://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2016/af/254201.htm . WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 Veterinary measures  
The Directorate of Veterinary Services  in the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for animal 3.87.   
health and veterinary measures.51 The Gambia has been a member of the World Organisation for 
Animal Health ( OIE) since 2005. It is also a member of the African Union Interafrican Bureau for 
Animal Re sources (AU -IBAR) in Nairobi.  
The animal health regime appears to be obsolete . A modernized legal framework is to be 3.88.   
developed in collaboration with the OIE, according to the authorities.  The Directorate  has adopted 
a "cautious approach " to cattle imports , following an outbreak of Contagious Bovine 
Pleuropneumonia in recent years . 
Phytosanitary measures  
The Directorate of Plant Protection Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, in its capacity as 3.89.   
the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), is respon sible for phytosanitary measures. It 
also participates in the National Disaster Management Agency in the event of disease outbreaks.  
The NPPO  collaborate s with the FSQS, as provided for in the IPPC.  
The Gambia became a party to the International Plant Prot ection Convention (IPPC) on 3.90.   
17 November 2016.52 It is also a member of the Inter -African Phytosanitary Council (a Regional 
Plant Protection Organization) in Yaoundé, Cameroon.  
All imports of plant s and plant products (commodities) require import permits and 3.91.   
phytosanitary certifications issued by the national plant protection service of the country of origin . 
Import permits are issued by the Directorate, using a pest risk compendium (manual), which 
appears  to be outdated, according to the authorities. Import requirements are to be updated, 
based on IPPC standards.  
A Plant Health Protection Bill, 2014 has been drafted (with assistance from FAO) and is 3.92.   
awaiting enactment. The new bill intends to repeal the present legal framework for phytosanitary 
measures (Prevention of Damage by Pests Act of 1962, and the Plant Importation and Regulation 
Act, 1996). Under the new legal framework, the NPPO has the authority, amongst others, to 
implement phytosanitary me asures (based on science, pest risk assessment, and proportionality 
principles, and harmonized with international standards); issue import permits and phytosanitary 
certificates; establish list s of quarantine pests; carry out inspections and surveillance o f growing 
plants; conduct inspections of consignments for internal movement, import, export and transit; 
notify and provide justification to other countries of phytosanitary measures and  where 
phytosanitary import requirements are non -compliant  with IPPC s tandards .53 Under the new Plant 
Health Protection Bill, imports of regulated plants and plant products require a phytosanitary 
export certificate conforming to the IPPC model, and an import permit issued by the NPPO, which 
may waive the import permit upon p est risk analysis. All plants, plant products and regulated 
articles are subject to inspection at the border. The NPPO is also to set up a registry of import and 
export establishments.  
3.3.4   Competition policy and price controls  
3.3.4.1   Competition policy  
3.93.   The main competition legislation in The Gambia is the Competition Act , 2007 , unchanged 
since its previous review . The Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission 
(GCCPC)54 remains the enforcement agency.55 In the utility sector, the Public Utility Regulatory 
Authority (PURA) has the competence to ensure competition in the sector.  
                                                
51 A draft MoU between the FSQA and t he Directorate is pending.  
52 IPPC online information. Viewed at: https://www.ippc.int/es/news/welcome -to-the-republic -of-
gambia -as-the-183rd -contracting -party -to-the-ippc/. 
53 Article 6 of the Plant Health Protection Bill, 2014.  
54 Following the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act in 2014, the Commission is also char ged with 
the responsibility of protecting consumers from unfair and misleading market practices. Therefore, the name of 
the Commission was changed to the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC).  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 3.94.   The Competition Act prohibits two forms of business practices: collusive horizontal 
arrangements (that have the object or effect of preventing, restricting or distorting c ompetition, by 
in any way fixing the selling or purchase price of the goods or services, or sharing markets or 
sources of supply), and bid -rigging agreements (where one of the parties to the agreement agrees 
not to submit a bid or tender in response to a c all or request for bids or tenders; or the parties to 
the agreement agree on the price, terms or conditions of a bid or tender to be submitted in 
response to a call or request for bids or tenders), on the grounds that they are inherently 
anti-competitive.  
3.95.   A monopoly in a market is defined as a situation where a firm or a firm with an 
interconnected enterprise controls more than 30% of the market, and is powerful enough to 
operate in the market without constraints from its competitors; in the case of three or fewer 
enterprises, a benchmark of 70% is applied. The existence of a dominant position is not in itself 
illegal, only its abuse. These criteria are used in any action by the Commission on cases of 
competition enforcement, including merger controls.56 
3.96.   The Competition Act exempts statutory monopolies57; export agreements; any agreement 
or conduct relating to activities within a free zone under the control of GIEPA58; and any 
agreement or conduct related to intellectual property rights protection or under an i nternational 
agreement to which The Gambia is a contracting party.  
3.97.   The Commission may conduct investigations as a response to a complaint, or at its own 
initiative. When the Commission has determined that there are adverse effects on competition, it 
may i ssue directives to an enterprise seeking to remedy, mitigate, or prevent identified adverse 
effects or any detrimental effects on users or consumers. The Competition Act also allows for the 
adoption of interim measures by the Commission, and for enterprise s to offer undertakings or 
commitments relating to their future conduct. The High Court is the last resort to ensure 
compliance with the directives issued by the Commission.  
3.98.   Since its establishment, the Commission has conducted a number of investigations, 
including on the medical insurance market (completed in 2011), and the money transfer market 
(completed in 2012). Regarding the medical insurance case, the Commission found t hat six 
members of the Insurance Association of The Gambia engaged in price fixing and market sharing; 
the Commission took remedy action to annul the price fixing, and imposed fines on each of the 
violators. Regarding the money transfer case, the Commissio n found that the exclusive clause in 
the services agreement serves to consolidate the dominant position in the market, and  is therefore 
anti-competitive; the Commission ordered (through a directive) that such clauses be expunged 
from existing agreements an d should not be included in future ones. As a result of this directive, 
the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) instructed the members of the association of licensed forex 
bureaus (ALFOB) to immediately expunge all such agreements in their contracts with inte rnational 
money transfer operators.  
3.99.   The Commission has also carried out market studies , available on the website of the 
Commission.59 The authorities indicated that competition investigations may be carried out in the 
rice and sugar market s, after  prelimin ary studies found that competition was limited and 
dominated by few enterprises.60 
                                                                                                                                                  
55 The Commission may delegate its work  to a designated Ministry or State agency. See Articles 37 and 
38 of the Competition Act.  
56 Articles 25 -35 of the  Competition Act. At the time of the drafting of this report, the provisions on 
mergers were yet to be enforced.  
57 Statutory monopoly means an activity conducted by an entity, whether or not owned wholly or partly 
by the State, on the basis of statutory provisions that preclude other entities from conducting the same 
activity.  This includes the port operator and the airport operator.  
58 There is currently only one free zone under the control of GIEPA.  
59 The Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission online information, "Studies & 
Investigations". Viewed at: http://gcc.gm/studies -investigations/ .  
60 GCCPC online information, "Rice and Sugar Market Study". Viewed at: http://gcc.gm/wp -
content/uploads/2016/08/Rice -and-Sugar -Market -Study.pdf .  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 3.3.4.2   Price controls  
3.100.   The Price Control Act, 1974 provides that the Minister of Finance  and Economic Affairs , in 
collaboration with the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integra tion and Employment (MOTIE), 
has the power to declare and implement price controls on commodities or classes of commodities. 
The Act established a Price Control Committee, in which price controllers and inspectors are 
appointed. At present, there are no pr ice controls imposed under the Act.  
3.101.   The Essential Commodities Act, 2015 entered into force in January 2016. The Act is to 
ensure that such  commodities are available to Gambians at a fair and reasonable price. The Act 
covers foodstuffs61 and other commoditi es designated by the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional 
Integration and Employment . No person or corporation is allowed to import, distribute or engage 
in "major" retail of any essential commodity without a licence from the Minister. The GCCPC 
administe rs the licences.  
3.3.5   State trading, state -owned enterprises, and privatization  
3.102.   The Divestiture Act was repealed in December 2009  and the divestiture programme for 
public enterprises is no longer implemented.  
3.103.   There are currently 14 state-owned enterprises (Ta ble A3. 6). According to the World Bank, 
the performance of the SOEs steadily declined between 2010 and 2013: whil e total income 
increased from D5.2 billio n in 2010 to D6.4 billion in 2013, total post -tax losses increased from 
D0.3 billion to D1.7 billion.62 Over the same period, the net worth of the sector fell from 
D7.9 billion in 2010 to D5.5 billion in 2013. The decline primarily reflected the large build -up in 
SOE liabilities in recent years.   
3.104.   According to the authorities, The Gambia does not have any  state-trading enterprise 
[July 2017].   
3.3.6   Government procurement  
3.105.   The Gambia amended its Public Procurement Authority Act in 2014. According to the 
authorities, the Public Procurement Authority Act 2014, compared to the predecessor , the 2001 
Act, modernized the procurement regime in line with international best practice. The amended Act 
shifted the focus of the objective of public procurement from compliance to value for money; it 
also established a number of institutions to facilitate achievement of the objectiv e: the 
Procurement Cadre, the Independent Complaints Review Board, and the Major Tender Board63, all 
of which have been fully operational since 2015.  
3.106.   Under the Act, the Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) determines value thresholds for 
procurement ; no proc urement valued above the threshold is allowed unless prior approval has 
been obtained from the Authority.64. The value thresholds have remained unchanged since 2008 
(Table 3 .8). Pursuant to the Act , procurement projects valued at D10 million and above must be 
approved by the Major Tender Board,65 an independent institution from GPPA. The Act is applied to 
all bodies of The Gambia Government, including local government and public enterprises, with the 
exception of the Ministry of Defence.66  
                                                
61 As provided in the Essential Commodities Act 2015, foodstuff includes rice, sugar, flour, edible oil, 
milk, tomato paste, onions, potatoes, whole chicken and chicken parts.  
62 World Bank (2015), State -Owned Enterprises in The Gambia: A Country Policy Note . 
63 The Major Tender Board was abolished by the Public Procurement Authority Act 2001. The amended 
Public Procurement Authority Act 2014 reintroduced the Major Tender Board system.  
64 De-aggregation of procurement to avoid threshold control is prohibited, as per A rticle 21 of the Public 
Procurement Authority Act 2014.  
65 The Major Tender Board is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance. Its 
members include GamWorks, national authorities, and representatives from the private sector. It appears t o 
observers that the composition of the Major Tender Board has a potential conflict of interest, which needs to be 
addressed in the future amendment to the Act.  
66 Articles 2 and 20, Public Procurement Authority Act 2014.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 Table 3.8 Value thresholds for procurement approved by GPPA, 2017  
Procurement methods  Threshold  
Goods and services (single sourcing)  D 10,000  
Works (single sourcing)  D 30,000  
Request for quotation  D 500,000  
Open/restricted tendering  D 500,000  
International tendering  D 10 million  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
3.107.   Public procurement must generally  be conducted by  open tendering. Conditions for using 
other methods are set out in the Act and its implementing regulation. Notably, international 
competitive tendering may only be used if  the goods, works, or services are not available at 
competitive prices and condition s from at least three suppliers in The Gambia.67 GPPA stated that a 
foreign supplier with a local agent is considered as a supplier in The Gambia. GPPA  stated  that no 
local preference s have been accorded in practice. The Act  stipulates that the Authority "s hall", in 
collaboration with procurement entities, establish a programme to facilitate participation by local 
small  and medium -sized enterprises.68  
3.108.   According to the latest available data (up to 2014), public procurement showed  a trend of 
steady decline. Tendering, including open tending and restricted tendering, accounted for the 
majority of procurement. Except for 2011, restricted tendering was the most used procurement 
method; in 2014, about 40% of procurement was carried out thro ugh restricted  tendering 
(Table  3.9).  
Table 3.9 Public procurement, by method, 2011 -14 
(Dalasi '000) 
Methods  2011  2012  2013  2014  
Single sourcing  86,337.7  407,607.6  246,112.5  219,190.6  
Restricted tendering  240,855.6  459,484.1  520,650.0  393,099.1  
Open tendering  800,070.6  82,139.7  197,840.3  331,967.5  
Request for quotation  6,990.3  7,908.0  26,253.4  23,763.3  
Request for proposal  3,450  80,750  300 16,438.9  
Total (D million)  1,137.7  1,037.9  991.3  984.5  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
3.109.   Bidders whose tender or proposal has been rejected may submit a written request for 
reconsideration to the procuring entity concerning pre -qualification or tendering proceedings or 
procurement methods if the procure ment proceedings did not le ad to a contract award. The head 
of the procuring entity must respond to the request for reconsideration within ten working days of 
submission of the request. If not satisfied with the response, the bidder then may request a revi ew 
by the Independent Complaints Review Board. Since the Board  was established in 2015, there has 
been one case  registered for review; in the review, the Board ruled in favour of the complainant .  
3.3.7   Intellectual property rights  
3.3.7.1   Industrial property  
3.110.   During the  period under review, The Gambia has made progress in aligning its industrial 
property regime with international standards. The Industrial Property Act was amended in July 
2015. Compared to the act of 2007, the Industrial Property (Amendment) Act 2015 made  three 
significant changes: it increased the protection period for patents from 15 years to 20 years; it 
introduce d provisions  to ensure  conformity with  the Madrid Protocol relating to the international 
registration of marks; and it increased the penal ty against infringements from  D5,000 to 
D 500,000, as well as imprisonment from six months to three years.  
3.111.   Applications for patents must be filed with the Industrial Property Office under the Ministry 
of Justice for preliminary examination. There are no restr ictions on the nationality of patent 
applicants . Applications for invention patents are required to undergo  substantive examination by 
                                                
67 Article 41(1)(b), Public Procurem ent Authority Act 2014.  
68 Article 36, Public Procurement Authority Act 2014.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 an examination entity appointed by the Gambian authorities. The appointed substantive examiner 
produces substantive exami nation reports on applications. These reports serve as essential 
references for the decision whether to grant patents in The Gambia. Currently, the African 
Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) is the only substantive examiner. Patents 
grante d by another jurisdiction that is a contracting party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty are 
also protected in The Gambia after registration with the Industrial Property Office, on the condition 
that the substantive examination report for the first pa tent ri ght is recognized by The Gambia.  
3.112.   Protection o f utility models is similar to the patent protections, while the registration 
procedures for utility models are less stringent. Utility model applications are also examined by 
ARIPO. Utility models are protected  for seven years from the filing date, and are non -renewable. 
Industrial designs are required to be register ed, and are protected for a period of five years, 
renewable for two further consecutive periods.  
3.113.   There are provisions on compulsory licensing and n on-voluntary licensing in the Industrial 
Property Act. In The Gambia, c ompulsory licensing refer s to a situation where the patent is 
exploited by a government agency or a third party on  the basis of  a ministerial decision without 
the agreement of the paten t right holder, while non -voluntary licensing means that a patent is 
exploited by any other person based on a decision of the Registrar General and approval of the 
Minister. Where the public interest , in particular national security, nutrition, health or t he 
development of other vital sectors of the national economy , so requires, a compulsory licence may 
be granted by the Minister to a government agency or a third person designated by the Minister to 
exploit the patent, subject to the payment of an equitabl e compensation to the owner of the 
patent.  According to the authorities, no compulsory licence s have been  granted since the Act was 
promulgated.  
3.114.   The Gambia joined the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks in 
September 2015.69 As provided in the amended Industrial Property Act 2015, trademarks are now 
protected in line with the Madrid Protocol. Applications for trademark registration must be filed 
with the Industrial Property Office under the Ministry of Justice. Trademark appl ications are subject 
to both formality and substantive examination by the Industrial Property Office, to ensure certain 
conditions set forth in the Act are satisfied70, before being accepted and published in the 
Government Gazette . Trademark protection in T he Gambia covers goods and services. The 
authorities indicated that trademark registrations usually take about four months but not more 
than six months to complete. A registered trademark is valid for ten years, and renewable. During 
the period under revie w, trademarks applications from domestic enterprises gradually increased 
(Table 3.10) . 
Table 3.10 Trademark applications, 2011 -16 
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Domestic  20 23 39 91 45 68 
Foreign  370 417 360 468 357 188 
Total 390 440 399 599 402 256 
Source:  Information provided by the authorities . 
3.115.   A trademark application may be denied if the mark is identical or confusingly similar to, or 
constitutes a translation of a well -known mark in The Gambia.71 The decision to deny an 
application depends on whether such a mark is used for similar goods or services. To protect well -
known trademarks, any interested party may raise an opposition against the relevant application 
for the registration within three  month s of publication of the application. Trademark registration 
may still be annulled if it was granted in breach of the provision related to well -known trademark 
protection. The annulment order is issued by the High Court. During the period under review, no 
annulment order s were  issued.  
                                                
69 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) online information, "News". Viewed at: 
http://www.wipo.int /madrid/en/news/2015/news_0017.html .  
70 These conditions include the mark being: capable of distinguishing the goods and services of one 
enterprise from those of other enterprises, not contrary to public order or morality, not misleading, not 
identical or confusingly similar to, or constituting a translation of a mark or trade name which is well known in 
The Gambia, not identical to a mark belonging to a different proprietor and already on the register or with an 
earlier filing or priority date in respect o f the same goods or services or closely related goods or services.  
71 Article 27(2)(e), the Industrial Property Act 2007.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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 3.116.   Registered trademarks can be revoked if the mark was not registered in "good faith"; or if 
the mark is not seriously used continuously for five years. However, there are special 
circumstances under which non -use trademarks may not be abandoned. "Bad -faith" registrations 
of trademarks are not subject to the five -year exhausti on period.  
3.117.   Geographical indications (GIs) are protected as collective marks. The authorities indicated 
that thus far no registration s for collective marks have been received.  
3.118.   Trade secrets and know -hows are protected under the unfair competition provisio ns of the 
Industrial Property Act 2007.72  
3.3.7.2   Copyrights  
3.119.   The legal and institutional framework concerning copyrights remained unchanged during 
the review period. The main legislation is the Copyright Act 2004.73 The National Centre for Arts 
and Culture (NCAC) i s the competent authority for copyrights and related rights.  
3.120.   The Copyright Act covers all original literary, artistic, musical, sound recording, 
audiovisual, and choreographic works, derivative works, programme -carrying signals, computer 
programs, and fol klore, created by Gambian citizens or corporate bodies. Protection of copyrights 
is granted to works first published in The Gambia or in a country that is a party to a treaty to 
which The Gambia is also a party, or published by the United Nations and its s pecialized agencies, 
the African Union, or ECOWAS.  
3.121.   General works are protected during the life of the author and for 50 years after the death 
of the last surviving author.74 Works whose authors are entities, audiovisual works, programme -
carrying signals, an d photographic works are protected for 50 years from first publication. Works 
of applied art receive 25 -year protection. Folklore is protected in perpetuity.  
3.122.   The Copyright Act 2004 also contains provisions for the protection of related rights such as 
performers' rights and those of broadcasting organizations and producers of recorded material. 
Copyright infringement falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court, which may issue injunctions, 
authorize seizure of articles and order destruction of copies.  
3.123.   The authorities noted that non -published works in respect of which The Gambia has an 
obligation under an international treaty are also protected under the Copyright Act 2004.  
3.124.   Alleged copyright infringements under the Copyright Act are enforced both through civil 
suits and criminal prosecution. According to the authorities, in the case of infringement, NCAC tries 
to resolve the case first by alternative dispute resolution betwee n the right holder and the 
infringer; if either party is not satisfied with the resolution, the case will then be heard in the High 
Court. In 2016, the High Court entered a default judgment against a defendant for copyright 
infringement.  
3.3.7.3   Enforcement  
3.125.   The Mi nistry of Justice , in collaboration with the Gambia Police Force , established Gambia 
Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit at the Police Headquarters in Banjul. The Unit is manned by 
15 police officers. The authorities indicated that future plans to enha nce the capacity of the Unit 
are in the pipeline.  
3.126.   In 2016, the Industrial Property Office , in collaboration with Gambia Police , conducted a 
raid in which four alleged copyright infringers dealing in programme carrying -signals were 
apprehended and are now being tried before the High Court.  
                                                
72 Article 36, the Industrial Property Act 2007.  
73 There are no implementing regulations for the Copyrights Act.  
74 The authorities indicated that the draft amendment to the Copyrights Act extends protection to 
70 years. According to the authorities, drafting of the amendment has been finalized and the amendment 
awaits submission to the legislature.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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 WT/TPR/S/xxx • The Gambia  
 
- 51 - 4  TRADE POLICIES BY SE CTOR  
4.1  Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries   
4.1.1   Main features  
The Gambian economy is primarily agrarian, with subsistence farming and a few cash crops 4.1.  
(mainly groundnuts) being the main source of livelihood for most of the population. Agriculture 
contributed approximately 2 1% of GDP in 2016 (down from about 3 1% in 2010) (Table  1.1), yet 
employs  about  46.4% of the workforce  (2015 -16) – the large gap between output and labour input 
in part being due to non -marketed product ion for subsistence.  
Given The Gambia's location in the semi -arid to arid zone south of the Sahel, the country has 4.2.  
been faced with chronic food deficits. Agricultural production is highly dependent on rainfall, but 
the rainy season ( from June to October) has been erratic and rains have been declining over the 
past few decades.1 Climate change has resulted in extreme weather patterns, increasingly 
affecting agriculture through severe drought (2011 ), late rains ( 2014) and floods (2012, 2013 and 
2016).2 In 20 11, the Government declared a state of food (and seed) emergency due to drought.3  
As a consequence, imports of agricultural products far outstrip exports (Table A4.2). Exports 4.3.  
are small and undiversified, mainly groundnuts and cashew nuts. There is very l ittle further 
processing of the traditional export commodities. Rice is the main import product, followed by 
vegetable oils, sugar and wheat.  
The main field crops, in terms of cultivated land and production, are millets, groundnuts, rice, 4.4.  
maize and sorghu m (Table 4.1). Non -traditional agricultural products include cashew nuts, cow 
peas, and fruit and vegetables. There are a few commercial livestock farms.  
Arable land is estimated at 540,000 hectares (about half of the total land area).4 In 2016 , 4.5.  
about 318 ,000 hectares were put under cultivation for the main field crops (down from 336,000 ha 
on average in 2010 -15), of which about 70% were for cereal production and 30% for cash crops.5 
Less than 2,5 00 hectares, mainly rice, are currently under irrigation.6 The cereal harvests have 
been variable (Chart 4.1). Aggregate cereal production in 2016 was below  average at about 
173,000  tonnes.7 With a normal harvest, cereal production meets approximately half of the 
country's needs.8  
Gambian agriculture suffers from underinvestment. Only about 3% (2013) of commercial 4.6.  
bank loans went to agriculture.9 Most smallholders have less than one hectare, their productivity is 
low (crop yields average less than one ton ne/ha), and they tend to be among the poorest and net  
buyers of food  (as their own production tends to last far less than 12 months) . They are vulnerable 
to increases in food prices (rice, flour, poultry meat etc.). Tariff protection of basic agricultural 
commodities is, on balance, unlikely to help them.  According to the W orld Food Programme , 
almost half of the population lives below the income poverty line (US$1.25/day).10  
The Gambia has a dual land tenure system : statutory (governing the freehold and leasehold 4.7.  
titles under the State Act Land 1991)11 and customary (regulated by the Provinces Land Act 1991). 
                                                
1 The Gambia, PAGE II. Preliminary draft 2017 -2020, p. 20.  
2 FAO (11 May 2017), Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) Country Brief . Viewed at: 
http://www.fao.org/giews/countrybrief/coun try.jsp?code=GMB . 
3 Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (2013), "Budget Speech 2013", p. 21.  
4 The total land area is 10,689 square kilometres.  
5 Government of The Gambia (2015). Report of the National Agricultural Sample Survey (NASS) . 
6 The Gambia, PAGE II. Preliminary draft 2017 -2020, p. 60. Pump, tidal (i.e. using ocean tides to force 
river water onto the fields), sprinkler, and inland valley bottoms (for rice) are the main irrigation technologies 
used.  
7 FAO (2017), Global Information  and Early Warning System (GIEWS) Country Brief , 11 May.  
8 WFP website. Viewed at: http://www1.wfp.org/countries/gambia . 
9 Central Bank of The Gambia, Annual Report 2013 . 
10 World Food Programme online information. Viewed at: http://www1.wfp.org/countries/gambia .  
11 Freehold and leasehold land, established during the colonial period, are most prevalent in the Banjul 
and Kombo St. Mary Region.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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- 52 - The Ministry of Lands and Regional Government has been developing a consolidated framework on 
land tenure (National Land Policy).  
Table 4.1 Agricultural production by main crops, 2010 -16 
(1,000 tonnes; %)  
  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  Average of 
2010 -16 
Total  308.1  269.4  345.3  321.7  257.3  268.5  248.5  288.4  
Cereals  209.7  182.9  222.8  227.4  174.5  181.9  173.4  196.1  
 Early millet  77.5 72.9 96.5 71.5 59.1 56.0 54.7 69.7 
 Late millet  18.9 14.3 19.6 22.3 17.7 18.3 17.8 18.4 
 Sorghum  14.4 20.6 23.1 30.4 20.3 21.6 20.5 21.6 
 Maize  35.8 23.6 28.9 33.1 30.3 32.0 31.0 30.7 
 Rice 62.9 51.1 54.2 69.7 46.7 53.3 0.7 48.4 
 Findo  0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.7 48.8 7.3 
Cash crops  98.5 86.5 122.5  94.4 82.8 86.6 75.1 92.4 
 Groundnuts  97.5 83.9 119.6  93.9 80.7 82.7 71.1 89.9 
 Sesame  1.0 2.7 2.9 0.5 1.8 2.2 2.1 1.9 
 Cowpea  n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.4 1.8 1.9 1.4 
n.a Not applicable.  
Source: Government of The Gambia, Report of the 2015 National Agricultural Sample Survey (NASS) ; and 
data provided by the authorities.  
Chart 4.1 Production trend of crops, 2010 -16 
(1,000 tonnes)  
 
Source:  Government o f The Gambia, Report of the 2015 National Ag ricultural Sample Survey (NASS) ; and 
data provided by the authorities.  
4.1.2   Agricultural policy  
4.8.  The Ministry of Agriculture has no approved agricultural policy at present. The Agriculture and 
Natural Resources Policy (ANR) has expired. The ANR Policy was the agricultural policy framework 
for the period 2009 to 2015, establishing four key strategic objectives: food security; 
commercialization of the agricultural sector; strengthe ning public and private institutions; and 
sustainable management of natural resources.12 In 2013 -14, two major donor -financed agricultural 
                                                
12 The Gambia Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy 2009 -2015.  Viewed at:  
http://www.gafspfund.org/sites/gafspfund.org/files/Documents/Attachment%201%20The%20ANR%20Sector
%20Pol icy%20%202009 -2015.pdf . 
209.7
182.9222.8227.4
174.5181.9
173.4
98.5
86.5122.5
94.4
82.886.6
75.1
050100150200250
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016Cereals Cash cropsChart 4. [GMB]  Production trend of crops, 2010 -16
(1,000 tonnes)
Government of The Gambia, Report of 2015 National Agricultural Sample Survey (NASS); and 
data provided by the authorities of The Gambia.Source:WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
- 53 - 
 
 WT/TPR/S/xxx • The Gambia  
 
- 53 - development projects were launched – the National Agricultural Land and Water Management 
Development Project (NEMA) an d the Food Agricultural Security Development Project (FASDEP).13  
4.9.  The Gambia National Agricultural Investment Programme (GNAIP) 2010 -2015 has also 
expired. GNAIP was elaborated within the framework of the New Partnership for Africa's 
Development (NEPAD), sp ecifically its agricultural component, the Comprehensive Africa 
Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP); and was aligned with the ECOWAS Agricultural 
Policy (ECOWAP) and its Regional Agricultural Investment Programme (RAIP)14, as well as with the 
National  Development S trategy Vision 2020  (Section 2.2) .15 The GNAIP investment plan had six 
main programmes to attract investment of close to US$300 million.16 A second generation of the 
ECOWAP RAIP (2016 -2020), including a revised GNAIP, is to be implemented in Th e Gambia.17  
4.10.   n January 2014, The Gambia  submitted a domestic support notification to the Committee on 
Agriculture, listing its programmes implemented during the 1999-2013 period.18 Budgetary 
expenditures totalled D206.125 million in 2013. The notified measures fall into the Green Box, 
mainly infrastructure services (55% of expenditures), followed by extension services (25%).19 The 
notification indicates that the programmes do not involve direct payments to producers and were 
implemented by service units under the Ministry of Agriculture (Table A4 .1). The Gambia also 
notified the Committee on Agriculture that it did not provide agricultural export subsidies from 
2005 to 2010.20 
4.11.   In the period 2011 -16, the annual budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Agric ulture 
ranged from D227.7 million to 386.0 million, equivalent to about 6% -8% of the central 
government budget (albeit with an actual budget execution for agriculture averaging around 
80%).21 In the national budget  for 2016 , D292.9 million were allocated to  agriculture (Chart 4.2 
and Table  A4.1).22  
4.12.   The Government provides, on a limited scale, input subsidies to farmers as an emergency 
measure.  In the 2016 budget, funds were set aside for the provision of seeds, fertilizers, 
pesticides, and farm tools, of typically less than D1 million per project/activity.23 According to an 
FAO study, the G overnment has donated on a very limited scale, for example, a few bags of 
fertilizer to women , and fertilizer was sold at less than market prices.24 The National Food Secu rity 
Processing and Marketing Corporation has also been involved in selling fertilizer to farmers  at 
subsidized prices .25 Furthermore, t he G overnment organizes pest control campaigns 
(grasshoppers, locusts, etc.) with the support of donors.  
4.13.   Imports of fert ilizers, though an essential input, are not entirely duty -free under the 
ECOWAS CET. While imports of certain fertilizers (15 tariff lines under HS 32) are classified as 
"essential social commodities" (duty -free), eight (HS 32) tariff lines are subject to 5% import duty 
                                                
13 The funding for NEMA is US$64.9 million (2013 -19) and for FASDEP US$26.6 million (2013 -18).  
14 Online information. Viewed at: http://www.aidfortrade.ecowas.int/programmes/raip . 
15 See also ECOWAS (2015), "Agriculture and Food in We st Africa - Trends, Performances and 
Agricultural Policies". Viewed at: http://ecowas -agriculture.org/sites/default/files/LivretEcowap2014 -eng-
light.pdf .  
16 The GNAIP comprised the following programmes: improvement of agricultural land and water 
management; improved management of other shared resources; development of agricultural chains and 
market promotion, national food and nutrition security, sustainable far m development, and GNAIP 
coordination, monitoring and evaluation.  
17 The ECOWAP RAIP (2016 -2020) is the first phase of the ECOWAP Strategic Policy Framework 2025, a 
NEPAD CAADP commitment following the Malabo Declaration of June 2014. Viewed at: 
http://www.hubrural.org/IMG/pdf/final_report_minsiter_stmc -aewr_dec_2017.pdf . 
18 WTO document, WTO/G/AG/N/GMB/5, 10 January 2014.  
19 The notificat ion lists for 2013: r esearch (D 725,000), extension services (D 52.2 million), pest and 
disease contro l (D31.6 million), training (D 7.3 million),  and infrastructure services (D 114.3  million).  
20 WTO/G/AG/N/GMB/4, 12 January 2011.  
21 This has been below the 10% commitment within th e framework of the NEPAD -Comprehensive Africa 
Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). See Maputo Declaration, 2003 at: 
http://www.nepad.org/resource/caadp -practice -highlighting -successes . 
22 Apart from the Government's support, the agricultural sector relies on technical assistance from 
development partners, and loans, grants and investments from international organizations.  
23 See also Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (2017), "Budget Speech 2017", p. 19.  
24 FAO (2016), The Gambia Case Study , p. 17  
25 World Bank (2015), State -Owned Enterprises in The Gambia: A Country Policy Note . WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
- 54 - 
 
 WT/TPR/S/xxx • The Gambia  
 
- 54 - (Table A3. 3). ECOWAS has adopted a regulation on fertilizer s to harmonize the rules on fertilizer 
production, trade and quality control in its member States .26 
Chart 4.2 Ministry of Agriculture budgetary expenditures, 2011 -16 
(Dalasi million)  
 
Note:    No data for actual budgetary execution in 2015 and 2016 are available.  
Source:  Government  of The Gambia.  
4.1.3   Key commodities  
Rice 
4.14.   Rice is the main staple food.  Rice production is in the range of approximately 50,000 to 
60,000 tonnes in a normal year , while imports ranged from  90,000 to 140,000 tonnes in 2010 -14 
(Table A4.2). The area under rice cultivation has gradually increased from 62,000 ha in 2011 to 
69,000 ha i n 2016 . Cultivation of rice (mainly by women) takes place mostly in uplands (where 
rice competes with other cereals and groundnuts) and in the lowlands in depressions with 
accumulated rainwater ( inland valley bottoms).  
4.15.   A National Rice Development Strategy  is being implemented by t he Ministry of Agriculture, 
assisted by the National Rice Development Steering Committee, with the objective of achieving 
self-sufficiency in rice production by the year 2024.  A lowland area of about 220,000 ha has been 
identified  as suitable for rice production. The import substitution plan 's target  for milled rice is 
approximately 32 3,000 tonnes by 2025 – equivalent to about six times  the current production 
levels .27 
4.16.   The retail price of rice is a sensitive social matter.28 In 2010, the sales tax on rice was 
restored to 5%, which had been zero -rated since 2008 as a policy response to minimize  the impact 
of the 2007 -08 global food crisis.  With effect from 1  January  2013, rice was zero -rated for VAT, 
while the import tariff wa s raised from zero to 5%.29 With the entry into force of the ECOWAS CET 
on 1 January 2017, the new rice tariffs range from 5% (paddy) to 10% (husked rice, semi -milled 
or wholly milled rice, and broken rice). The consumers will have to pay the bill of higher  customs 
duties for these products.   
                                                
26 Regulation C/Reg.13/12/12 Relating to Fe rtilizer Quality Control in the ECOWAS Region.  
27 National Agricultural Land and Water Management Development Project (NEMA) of the MoA. National 
Rice Development Strategy (NRDS). Viewed at: https://riceforafrica.net/images/stories/PDF/gambia_en.pdf . 
28 The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has undertaken a market study on the 
importation and sale of rice (and sugar). Viewed at: http://gcc.gm/wp -content/uploads/2016/08/Rice -and-
Sugar -Market -Study.pdf . 
29 Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (2013), "Budget Speech 2013", p. 41.  
 - 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016Approved budgetary
Actual budgetary executionChart 4. [GMB]  Agricultural sector's expenditure, 2011 -16
(Dalasi million)
Government of The Gambia. Source:No data for actual budgetary execution are available in 2015 and 2016. Note:WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
- 55 - 
 
 WT/TPR/S/xxx • The Gambia  
 
- 55 - Groundnuts  
4.17.   Groundnuts play an important role in rural areas, providing cash, food and animal feed.30 
Groundnuts remain the leading crop in terms of the area under cultivation (accounting for about 
one-third of the total). The groundnut area  was 85,000 ha in 201 6 (compared with 110,000 ha on 
average in 2011 -13). The sector's performance has remained  below  expectations, according to the 
DTIS study, and 70 -80% of farmers are classified as poor.31  
4.18.   Groundnuts account for the bulk of agricultural exports and made up nearly  half of the 
Gambia's merchandise exports in 2015 (Chart 1.4) . In the European Union , the main export 
market, Gambian groundnuts have been downgraded to the bird -feed market segment due to 
rising SPS standards (aflatoxin).32 The DTIS study lists among the challenges facing the sector, 
inadequate financing, processing factories, and transport fac ilities.  
4.19.   In 2015, The Gambia Groundnut Corporation (GGC ) was renamed  the National Food 
Security Processing and Marketing Corporation with an extended mandate  (Table A3. 5).33 Under 
the previous Government, t he groundnut regime included  measures such the compulsory crop 
delivery by farmers at designated buying points established by the Government, at fixed purchase 
prices  (single buyer system ). According to the authorities, the National Food Security Processing 
and Marketing Cooperation in its current stat us does not legally have the exclusive right to import 
and export groundnuts. Other private sectors or middlemen are also permitted by law to export 
and import groundnuts . 
4.20.   Under the ECOWAS CET, groundnuts benefit from tariff protection of 5% (in shell or shelled, 
for oil manufacturing) or 10% (in shell or shelled, for other purposes); groundnut seeds (for 
planting) carry a 5% import duty.  
Cashew nuts  
4.21.   Cashew nut production i s promoted as an alternative ("premium") cash crop for export.34 
The cashew nut sector was developed in the late 1980s, with production increasing from 
200 tonnes in 1998 to 2,000 tonnes in 2007. The processing capacity reached about 
10,000  tonnes in 2013.35 Some of the challenges for the future are an  over-reliance on a single 
market (India), concerns over quality,36 and that the fact that The Gambia only exports raw (in 
shell) cashew nuts.37 Under the ECOWAS CET, cashew nuts (in shell or shelled) b enefit from  tariff 
protection at a rate of  20%.  
Horticulture  
4.22.   The horticultural sector is regarded  as a growth sector to cater for the domestic market 
(tourism sector) and export.  Challenges for export include SPS and TBT requirements, high freight 
costs, and limited  air cargo capacity.38 There are three commercial enterprises at present. Gambia 
Horticulture Enterprises39 produces and exports fresh fruit and vegetables.  Radville Farms 
produces and exports fresh fruit (mainly mangoes) to the European Union . Kharafi Farms  produces 
onions and Irish potatoes for the local and regional markets and has benefited from special tariff 
protection. Prior to the entry into force of the ECOWAS CET in The Gambia, onions and potatoes 
were subject to 20% import duty plus 15% excise tax (Section 3.3.1 ).40 Furthermore, The Gambia 
has adopted regulations on potatoes and onions that require notification of imports to the F ood 
                                                
30 DTIS, The Gambia DTIS, 2013, p. 110.  
31 DTIS, The Gambia  DTIS, 2013, p. 110 -111. 
32 DTIS, The Gambia DTIS, 2013, p. 110 -111. 
33 World Bank (2015), State -Owned Enterprises in The Gambia: A Country Policy Note . 
34 ITC (June 2014), The Gambia Cashew Sector Development and Export Strategy 2014 -2019.  
35 ITC (June 2014), The Gambia Cashew Sector Development and Export Strategy 2014 -2019, p. 1.  
36 DTIS, The Gambia DTIS, 2013, p. 110 -112. 
37 ITC, The Gambia Cashew Sector Development and Export Strategy 2014 -2019, p. 1.  
38 The Gambia National Development Plan 2 017-2020 PAGE II, preliminary draft, p. 65.  
39 Online information. Viewed at: http://www.gamhort.gm/ . 
40 Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (2013), "Budget Speech 2013", p. 41.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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- 56 - Safety and Quality Authority  and compliance with the Gambian national standards regarding 
minimum quality requirements  (Section 3.3.3).41 
Livestock  
4.23.   Investment in the commercial livestock sector has been mainly in poultry production, 
despite the high cost of imported feeds and veterinary drugs.42 The sector has benefited from 
special tariff protection in the past (35% import  duty). There have also been SPS -related import 
restrictions on poultr y meat (Section 3.3.3 ). Imports of poultry meat remain subject to import 
duty at a rate of 35%  under the ECOWAS CET.  
4.24.   The Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA) was establishe d in 2010 to promote the 
commercialization  of the sector. The GLMA has established a price determination mechanism for 
live animals and meat.43 As part of its mandate, t he GLMA regulates the marketing of livestock and 
meat through a broad -based consultative  approach.  Due to the fact that the old concept of 
keeping livestock as a store of wealth still lingers in the minds of many  farmers, the GLMA 
periodically holds sensitization meetings with the producers and livestock dealers operating at the 
primary marke ts ("lumos ") and secondary markets on livestock marketing and pricing. The 
determination of the retail price of meat is done countrywide through the holding of consultative 
forums organized by GLMA, in partnership with the office of the regional governor, other local 
government authorities,  key livestock stakeholders and consumers. At the end of the process, 
each region comes up with a fair retail price for meat that best suits the particular region, taking 
into consideration the availability of slaughter s tock, the purchasing power of the local population , 
transportation cost s, and other overheads.  This culminates in the establishment of a national tariff 
that is endorsed, published and monitored by the GLMA.  This approach meets the GLMA 's 
regulatory mandat e since both the consumer s and butcher s participate in the price determination 
exercise and therefore agreements are more binding and need less monitoring at the local level to 
ensure compliance.  
4.1.4   Fisheries   
4.25.   The fisheries sector's contribution to GDP is small  (about 2.1% of GDP in 201 6) (Table 1.1) . 
Nevertheless, the sectoral GDP grew by 4.4% annually in the period 2010 to 2015. Annual fish 
consumption is estimated at 29 kg per capita, higher than the world average of 20  kg.44  
4.26.   The Gambia's  fisheries resou rces comprise The Gambia River, a continental shelf of about 
4,000 km2, and a 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).  The total catch ranged from  
about 47,000  tonnes to 58,000 ton nes in the period 2010-16, almost 90% of which came from the 
artisanal fisheries  (Chart 4.3 ).45 Species caught in that sector are generally locally or regionally 
consumed fish (e.g. bonga, round and flat sardinella, and small pelagics) and high -value demersal 
fish species (e.g. sole fish, snappers, and cephalopods) for fish processing establishments for 
exports or markets in the tourism sector. The small export -oriented i ndustrial sector primar ily 
targets high value, bottom -feeding demersal fish (sole, shrimp, snappers, cuttlefish, and octopus).  
4.27.   A morat orium on industrial fish ing was put in place from July 2015 to May 2017 through 
Executive Directives issued by the previous g overnment , to await the outcome of a study in order 
to align The Gambia's low licensing fees with those prevailing in the region.  The issuing of 
industrial fishing licences was resumed  on 31 May 2017.   
4.28.   Fisheries management is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Fisheries  and Water 
Resources, with the Department of Fisheries as the technical  authority. There are fisheries 
                                                
41 Gambian Standard on fresh potato tubers (Gams 4 -2016) and African Standar d on fresh onions 
(ARS 921:2012).  
42 See also FAO (2017), Review of the Livestock/Meat and Milk Value Chains and Policy Influencing them 
in West Africa . Viewed at: http://www.fao.org/3/a -i5275e.pdf . 
43 DTIS, The Gambia DTIS, 2013, p.  114. 
44 Republic of The Gambia (2015), Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Water Resources, Parks  
and Wildlife, National Water Resources Assessment And Management Strategy , March; and FAO (2016), The 
State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2016 – Contributing to Food Security and Nutrition for All . 
45 According to the information provided by the authorities, there are 1,230 head fishermen operating in 
all fish landing sites in The Gambia, of which 833 are Gambian nationals and  397 foreigners.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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 WT/TPR/S/xxx • The Gambia  
 
- 57 - management plans for sole, oyster s, and cockle s.46 The Gambia is a member of the Sub -Regional 
Fisheries Commissions (SRFC). Its objective is to reinforce cooperation and coordination of 
management of the fisheries resources among the 7 member States ( Cabo V erde, The Gambia,  
Guinea, Guinea -Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal , and Sierra Leone).  
4.29.   The legal framework  for fisheries comprises the Fisheries Act , 2007  and the Fisheries 
Regulations , 2008 . The Act authori zes the Minister of Fisheries to regulate the fisheries , including 
by declaring special management areas for community -based fisheries (artisanal or subsistence 
fishing operations); and specifying measures such as establishment of open or closed seasons for 
specific areas and fish stocks, fish size regulation,  gear and fish method restrictions, and the total 
allowable catch. Draft amendment regulations were prepared by the previous government, but this 
has been put  on hold by the new fisheries administration. Enforcement is under the responsibility  
of the Fisheries Department in collaboration with The Gambia Navy and the Community Fisheries 
Centres.  
4.30.   Industrial fishing is mainly carried out by foreign vessels in Gambian waters. There are 
currently [July 2017] 15 vessels (trawlers)  licensed to operat e in Gambian waters, of which 6 are 
Gambian registered but not owned by Gambians. The nine foreign fishing vessels fishing in the 
Gambian waters obtained fishing licences through a reciprocal agreement with Senegal, but are 
not necessarily owned by Senegal ese nationals . The fisheries agreement with Senegal (1982)  has 
been renewed regularly, most recently in March 2017 .47 According to the authorities, The Gambia  
has been negotiating bilateral agreements with Turkey and the European Union (the fishing 
protocol  expired in 1986 ).  
4.31.   All local and foreign vessels require (non-transferable) licences, valid for  1 year for artisanal 
fisheries; for industrial fishing vessels , the Minister of Fisheries and Water Resources decides the 
validity period of the fishing licence (currently 3 months) . Licensing  is subject to conditions such as 
the type and method of fishing, authorized areas, use of minimum mesh size, employment of 
Gambian nationals, and landings, among others.  
4.32.   Due to the absence of infrastructure faciliti es, almost all of the industrial catch  has been 
landed in foreign ports; the fish is processed, packaged and labelled as originating from those 
countries.48 The new Banjul Fisheries Jetty and its ancillary facilities (fish handling and 
refrigeration ) are not yet fully operational . The industrial processing plants (four) exclusively 
depend on raw material from the artisanal subsector; all are certified to process and export fresh 
and frozen fish products to the European Union  and other countries; three plants  are certified to 
export smoked fish products to the European Union  (Mahoney, International Pelican Seafood, and 
Atlantic Seafood).  The European Union remains the biggest market for the Gambia's fish exports, 
followed by countries in Asia and Africa . 
4.33.   The fisheries sector enjoys relatively high tariff protection of 15.4% (with a range of 5 -20%) 
compared with the overall CET average of 12.3% in 2017 (Section 3.1.4).49 In the WTO, none of 
The Gambia's tariffs on fish and fish products are bound, except for two tariff lines (cora ls – 
HS 05080000; and fish products unfit for human consumption – HS 05119100) with a bound rate 
of 110%.50 On the other hand, certain equipment and inputs for fishery activities face relatively 
low tariff rates. Items such as fishing nets (HS 5608110000 and HS 5 608901000), fishing vessels 
(HS 890200), fishing rods, hooks, and nets (HS 9507) are subject to 5% CET customs duties. 
Furthermore, The Cu stoms and Excise Act, 2010 allows for duty exemptions on fishing vessels and 
                                                
46 A "Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector Strategy and Action Plan 2017 -2021", as well as management 
plans for cat fish and bonga, are under preparation.  
47 The Standard , "Gambia, Senegal sign fisheries pact", 28 March 2017. Viewed at: 
http://standard.gm/site/2017/03/28/gambia -senegal -sign-fisheries -pact/. 
48 The DTIS Update (2013) notes that The Gambia's exports are underestimated since most fish caught 
in Gambian waters is landed in foreign countries and not recorded in the Gambian trade statistics. See 
Enhanced Integrated Framework (2013), Diagnostic Trade Integration Study Update for The Gambia : 
Harnessing Trade for Growth and Employment , 20 April.  
49 Fish and fish products refer to HS codes under Chapter 03, HS 0508, HS 051191, HS 150410, 
HS 150420, HS 1603 -05, and HS 230120.  
50 In the original schedule of c oncessions, two tariff lines (HS 05080000 and HS 05119100) were 
classified as agriculture. However, during the course of NAMA negotiations, these tariff codes were reclassified 
as fish and fish products. WTO document TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3/Add.1, 21 April 2011.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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 WT/TPR/S/xxx • The Gambia  
 
- 58 - equipment, if approved by the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment  
(Section 3.1.4).  
Chart 4.3 Fish production in The Gambia, 2010 -16 
(1,000 tonnes)  
 
Note:  A moratorium on industrial fisheries was imposed in 2015 and 2016.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities of The Gambia.  
4.2  Mining and Energy  
4.34.   In 2016, mining and quarrying accounted for 2 .9% of GDP (compared with 2.8% in 2010), 
and electricity, gas, and water supply accounted for 1.3% (1.3% in 2010). During the period under 
review, there were no major developments in trade policies concerning mining,  except for those 
described in S ection 3 .  
4.35.   The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy is the competent authority overseeing the energy 
sector and is responsible for setting sectoral policy.51 The sector has undergone  some reforms 
during the period under review: the national energy policy 2014 -2018 was formulated; an 
electricity masterplan was developed; and a new Petroleum Act entered into force in 2016. The 
authorities indicated that the Petroleum Products Act, 2016 aims at liberalization of the sector.   
4.36.   The electricity sector is regulated by the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA). The 
electricity supply is insufficient and unstable , and  the equipment and the lines are aging. The 
authorities noted that interna tional assistance and capacity building are essential to the 
development of this sector. Currently the national grid is not connected with any of its 
neighbouring countries. The authorities indicated that works to connect the grid with Guinea and 
Senegal a re under way.  
4.37.   There are no restrictions on market entry to power generation. The electricity is provided by 
the state -owned National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) as well as by independent 
power producers. The authorities indicated that foreign inv estment in power generation, in 
particular renewable energy (e.g. solar power plants), is encouraged. NAWEC is the sole 
transmitter and distributor of electricity in the country. The authorities indicated that there is no 
plan to unbundle transmission and distribution in the near future. Electricity tariffs are regulated 
by PURA.  
4.3  Manufacturing  
4.38.   The share of manufacturing in The Gambia's GDP has been declining since 2013; it 
accounted for 4.8% of GDP in 2016, compared with 6.0% in 2012. There have been no maj or 
                                                
51 The Ministry of Petroleum and the Ministry of Energy were merged i n January 2016 . 
34.938.0
29.236.240.142.747.19.05.7
6.99.911.411.011.1
3.35.6
3.86.74.8
010203040506070
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016Artisanal fishing in the Atlantic Ocean Artisanal fishing in inland waters Industrial fishingChart 3.[GMB] Fish production in The Gambia, 2010 -16
(1,000 tonnes)
Information provided by the authorities of The Gambia. Source:A moratorium on industrial fisheries was imposed in 2015 and 2016. Note:WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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- 59 - trade policy developments concerning The Gambia's manufacturing sector since its previous 
review , except for those described in S ection 3 . 
4.4  Services  
4.4.1   Financial services  
4.4.1.1   Banking  
4.39.   During the period under review, the legal and institutional framework for the banking sector 
in The Gambia remained unchanged, comprising the Central Bank Act 1992, the Financial 
Institutions Act 2003, the Money Laundering Act 2003, and the Banking Act 2009. The Central 
Bank of The Gambia is the regulator, responsible for licensing operators and prudential 
supervision.  
4.40.   The country's payments system, as well as the clearing and settlement infrastructure was 
modernized through technical improvements during the review period. These include the 
establishment of the Real Time Gross Settle ment System (RTGS), Automated Cheque Processing 
(ACP), Automated Cheque Clearing (ACH), Securities Settlement System (SSS), and an electronic 
National Switch (GAMSWITCH) for retail payment.52 Furthermore, a Collateral Registry and 
Registration System has be en established pursuant to the Securities Interests in Movable 
Properties Act 2014. The Collateral Registry provides an efficient and cost effective credit rating 
service to create an enabling environment for access to credit.  
4.41.   All financial institutions a re required to obtain a licence from the Central Bank prior to 
commencement of operations. No fees are charged for licences. The authorities noted that no 
special conditions are attached to the establishment of foreign banks. Foreign banks must be 
locally incorporated in The Gambia, i.e. they must be subsidiaries but not direct branches of 
international banks. The minimum capital requirement for banks was raised to D 200  million in 
2012, compared to D 150 million in 2011.  
4.42.   Currently there are 12 commercial banks (including one Islamic Bank)53 operating in 
The Gambia54, of which 2 are domestically  owned and 10 are foreign -owned. Banking services are 
expanding in many region s of the country: a s of end -2016, there were 85 branches, and the 
availability of POS and  ATMs has increased. The authorities indicated that The Gambia's banking 
system is liquid and most banks are profitable.  
4.43.   There is no deposit threshold for customers to  open a current account. Some banks still 
require  a deposit of D 500 for customers opening other types of bank accounts such as saving 
accounts ; a commercial decision made by the bank s to recover the administrative cost of opening 
and maintaining accounts , according to the authorities . There are no restriction s on Gambian 
residents openi ng an account overseas.  
4.44.   The Central Bank 's policy rate serves as the signalling rate for the economy. The market 
interest rates are not regulated, and are determined in the Gambian inter -bank market. The inter -
bank rates are close to the 9 1-day Treasury Bills. Despite the rapid growth of the sector, lending 
rates remain high; therefore, lending to individuals and businesses is not high. Banks depend 
disproportionately on government assets (treasury bills) as their main avenue of investment; the 
Central Bank is of the view that the over -reliance on government borrowing is not sustainable and 
probably increases the solvency risk in the long run.  
4.45.   Non-bank financial institutions are subject to the Central Bank's supervision pursuant to the 
Non-Bank Financial Institutional Act 2016. Non-banking financial institutions are mainly engaged in 
the business of microfinance, in the forms of village savings and credit associations (VISACAs) and 
finance companies (FCs). They must be locally incorporated in The Gambia.  A minimum capital of 
                                                
52 From mid -2012, banks started online rendition of reports and data through the platform VRegCoss. 
Due to technical issues, the system is not yet fully operational, accord ing to the authorities.  
53 There is no specific regulatory framework for an Islamic Bank, however the bank's board has a Sharia 
Supervisory Board assessing all products for Sharia compliance.  
54 A list of banks operating in The Gambia is published on the Ce ntral Bank of The Gambia's website. 
Viewed at: http://www.cbg.gm/finance_systems/banking.html .  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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- 60 - D50 million is required to establish a non -bank financial institution. In addition, microfinance 
institutions (MFIs) must keep 15% of their deposits as reserves.  
4.46.   VISACAs experienced market concentration during the period u nder review. As of end -2016, 
only 14 out of the 65 VISACAs that the Central Bank inspected were active in the market . 
However , the stock of total saving s reached D14.9 million in December 2016, compared to 
D11.1  million one year before ; total loans stood a t D13.1 million in December  2016, a sharp 
increase from D 8.6 million in December 2015.  Similarly, FCs have recorded strong growth in 
deposit s, total assets, and capital. In December 2016, total depos its in FCs reached a level of 
D536.7 million, total assets D852.3  million, and capital D164.5 million, growing by 14.4%, 15.3%, 
and 4.8% respectively  in 2016 . Credit union deposits and loans also grew 12.6% and 28.8%. 
Despite the growth, as of end -2016, credit extended by MFIs accounted for only 3.1% of total 
domestic credit against the share of 15.3% by commercial banks.  
4.47.   Mobile money services are regulated by the Financial Supervision Department of the Central 
Bank. According to the authorities, mobile money services have developed rapid ly. In early 2016, 
the Central Bank granted licences to two mobile money -service providers, Afrimoney, and Qoodoo 
Money; both are subsidiaries of their parent mobile telecommunications companies.  
4.48.   Foreign exchange bureaux (BDCs) must be licensed by the Cent ral Bank. There are 
75 licensed BDCs in the country.55 The BDCs are free to set their spot rates of exchange.  The 
country does not yet have a centralized trading platform for foreign exchange.  Each BDC is 
required to submit their daily report to the Central  Bank56, and keep all transaction records. All 
BDCs must be a member of the Association of Licensed Foreign Exchange Bureaux. BDCs are not 
allowed to take deposit s or engage in lending business.  
4.49.   As indicated in the previous Review, The Gambia had serious ca pacity and resource 
constraints in implementing the Money Laundering Act 2003. The Gambia has since established a 
national coordinating committee  to fight against money laundering , comprising, inter alia , the 
Ministry of Finance  and Economic Affairs , the C entral Bank, and Customs. The authorities indicated 
that the Anti -Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing Act 2012 provides for the 
establishment of an autonomous body with the necessary governance structure to address the 
issue; a Financial Intelligence Unit has been established . 
4.4.1.2   Insurance  
4.50.   The Gambia's legal and institutional framework for the insurance sector has remained 
largely unchanged  since its previous review . The Insurance Act 2003 (amended in 2006) is the 
basic legislation and t he Ce ntral Bank remains the regulator for the sector. In 2015, the Central 
Bank issued three supervisory guidelines, which aim to enhance prudential management in the 
sector.  
4.51.   There are 11 insurance companies operating in the country57 with a network of 32 branch  
offices, of which five are 100% locally private -owned, two are 100% foreign -owned, and four are 
foreign joint  ventures with Gambian partners. There is also one Islamic insurer. Two insurers offer 
life insurance products, and nine insurers operate in non -life insurance. Insurance companies 
operating in The Gambia must be a member of the Insurance Association of The Gambia (IAG).  
4.52.   According to the authorities, there are no restrictions on foreign investment to establish 
insurance companies. The criteria for establishing an insurance company are generally the same as 
those for banks and other financial institutions. The premiums of third -party insurance are set and 
regulated by the Central Bank ; the pr emiums of other insurance products are market -determined.  
4.53.   There are nine brokerage firms in the insurance sector. Insurance brokers must register 
with the Commissioner of Insurance under the Central Bank. They are required to maintain capital 
of D 100,000 and to deposit D  25,000 in government securities with the C entral Bank. Foreigners 
                                                
55 The Central Bank of The Gambia online information, "List of Registered Forex Bureaux". Viewed a t: 
http://www.cbg.gm/finance_systems/bureau%20register.xls .  
56 Article 7(e), Revised Regulations for the Licensing and Operation of Foreign Exchange Bureaux.  
57 A list of insurers opera ting in The Gambia is published on the Central Bank of The Gambia's website. 
Viewed at: http://www.cbg.gm/finance_systems/insurance.html .  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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- 61 - who are residents in The Gambia may operate as insurance agents; foreigners may operate as 
insurance brokers regardless of their residency. Banks (including branches) and non -banking 
institution s may not operate as insurance broker s. The  insurance penetration rate in The Gambia 
was 0.62% in 2016.  
4.54.   Cross -border provision of insurance services is allowed: Gambian residents may freely  
purchase insurance abroad. Motor insurance under the "Brown Card" system for ECOWAS provides 
Gambian residents with cover in other member States, and vice versa .  
4.4.2   Communications  
4.4.2.1   Telecommunications  
4.55.   The legal and institutional framework of the telecommunica tions sector has not changed 
since the last TPR. The Information and Communications Act 2009 ( hereafter  the IC Act) is the 
main law governing the sector. The Ministry of Information and Communications is responsible for 
formulating sectoral policy as well as licensing operators,58 while the Public Utility Regulatory 
Authority (PURA) remains the sector regulator, responsible for assessing licence applications and 
making recommendations to the Minister on licensing decisions.59 Licences must be granted in an 
open and non -discriminatory manner.60 According to the authorities, there are no restrictions on 
foreign applicants for telecommunications licences , but foreign -owned applicants must be locally 
incorporated in order to provide telecommunications services.  
4.56.   The Gambia has completed the implementation of the National Information and 
Communication Infrastructure Policy 2004 -2015 (NICI -I). The authorities carried out a review of 
NICI-I in 2015, which asserted that NICI -I had successfully met over 80% of its objecti ves. The 
authorities are of the view that the success was a result of infrastructure improvement, and that 
the NICI -I fell short in service deployment (e.g. electronic applications) over the infrastructure due 
to scarcity of resources including IT -skilled personnel. A new national policy, the National 
Information and Communication Infrastructure Policy 2017 -2025 (NICI -II), has been formulated .61 
According to the authorities, NICI -II is focused on not only using information and communication 
technologies (ICT s), but also creating services based on ICTs (e.g. cloud services). NICI -II aims at 
promoting open access, universal access services and cyber security measures, and in particular 
more affordable and secured broadband access. The new policy intends to prom ote private 
investment in the sector through an improved regulatory environment. In this regard, the new 
policy pursues a "technology -neutral regulatory environment", and a "fair and reasonable pricing 
structure".  
4.57.   The telecommunications market has experien ced rapid growth since 2011, in particular 
mobile telecommunications. The mobile penetration rate was about 13 9% in 2016, up from 8 0% in 
2011; mobile subscriptions increase d by 103% in the same period, reaching 2.8 million in 2016. 
However, subscription to  fixed-line services remained low, despite a spike in subscriptions in 
2012-13 (Table 4.2).  
Table 4.2 Selected telecom indicators, 2011 –16 
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Fixed telephone subscriptions ('000)  50.5 64.2 64.2 55.8 45 40 
Fixed telephone subscriptions per 100 
inhabitants  2.9 3.6 3.5 2.9 2.3 1.9 
Mobile -cellular telephone subscriptions ('000)  1,401.2  1,526.2  1,848.9  2,597.0  2,715.6  2,838.1  
Mobile -cellular telephone s per 100 inhabitants  80.2 84.7 99.4 119.1 137.3 139.2  
Internet users (%) 10.9 12.5 14 15.6 16.5 18.5 
Fixed -broadband subscriptions  437 500 438 2,743  3,573  3,750 
Fixed -broadband subscriptions per 100 
inhabitants  0.03 0.03 0.02 0.14 0.18 0.18 
                                                
58 Article 10, Information and Communications Act.  
59 The Public Utility Regulatory Authority also has the purview to ensure competition in the sector. See 
Part IV of the Information and Communications Act.  
60 Article 17, Information and Communications Act.  
61 The administrative process for Cabinet adopting the National Information and Communication 
Infrastructure Policy 2017 -2025 (NICI -II) was still not completed at the time when this Trade Policy Review 
report was finalized.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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- 62 -  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Wireless broadband total subscriptions ('000)  .. 22.2 38.9 153.5  197.5  432.1  
Wireless broadband total subscriptions per 100 
inhabitants  .. 1.31 2.06 7.89 10 21.2 
.. Not available.  
Source:  ITU online information. Viewed at: www.itu.int/en/ITU -D/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx ; and 
information provided by the authorities.  
4.58.   There are four mobile carriers operating in The Gambia;62 three of them have p rovided 
mobile data services on a 3G platform since 2015,63 compared to two carriers offering data 
services in 2010. Among the four mobile carriers, two are foreign -owned, and one is Gambian 
privately -owned. The Gambia Telecommunications Company Limited (Ga mtel) is the sole operator 
providing fixed -line services in the country.64  
4.59.   The telecommunications infrastructure has improved significantly since 2010. According to 
the authorities, 94% of the country was covered with at least two mobile operators in 2015,  up 
from 57% in 2010. All mobile carriers have their own micro -wave radio relay networks for 
long-distance signal transmission. Gamtel completed its project of laying out a nationwide fibre -
optic backbone network in 2015. In addition, the African Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable 
landing station was established in 2012; this submarine cable provides The Gambia with 
broadband connection to Europe with a 100 -GB capacity.65 Since 2016, Gamtel has operated an 
"Open Access Regime" that allows any carrier to access to this backbone network, either through 
exclusive capacity leasing or sharing of Gamtel's traffic stream. The price for accessing the 
backbone network is set by Gamtel in consultation with stakeholders, and under PURA supervision.  
4.60.   The Open Access Re gime is in line with the IC Act 's network neutrality. Gamtel acts as an 
infrastructure manager for the national communications network to provide non -discriminatory 
access to all users; Gamcell (a subsidiary of Gamtel) does not enjoy preferential access to  the 
backbone network. According to the authorities, the charges for accessing the ACE cable are also 
applied to all ACE consortium members  on a non -discriminatory basis.66 The IC Act encourages 
telecommunications operators to share properties, facilities, and infrastructure among themselves 
by agreements.67 As an introduction to the Open Access Regime, mobile carriers began migrating 
their long -distance transmission to the national backbone network in September 2016, but the 
"last mile" connection to end -users is still under  the control of the operator, and therefore fully 
competitive. The authorities indicated that the IC Act encourages co -location, and that the 
necessary regulatory instruments for co -location and access have been developed.  
4.61.   In general, car riers have a duty to interconnect with each other, either directly or through 
other carriers' facilities.68 Interconnections must be provided on a non -discriminatory basis in 
terms of charges and connection quality, among others. The authorities expect that  the national 
fibre-optic backbone network will improve the service quality of interconnection. PURA regulates 
the rates of interconnection and resolves any disputes related to interconnection. The current 
interconnection charges are at D0.50 per minute (u nchanged from 2010) .  
4.62.   Spectrum allocation is based on the National Spectrum Allocation Plan and its associated 
regulations. PURA is the competent authority to allocate frequency bands of spectrum. According 
to the authorities, frequency bands are not aucti oned but assigned to applicants subject to an 
annual fee. The authorities stated that the frequency allocations are based on technical 
assessments and the applicant's needs, which is dependent on their stage of technology 
development . If the band is in hig h demand, the allocation is conducted on a first -come -first-
                                                
62 The four mobile carriers are Afr icell (foreign -owned), Comium Mobile (foreign -owned), Gamcel 
(subsidiary of Gamtel), and Qcell (privately domestically owned).  
63 Currently, 3G services are provided for the Greater Banjul Area, Basse, Farafenni, and Kanilai. The 
rest of the country is cove red by GPRS and EDGE platforms.  
64 Gamtel was partially privatized in 2007. Currently, the Government owns 99% of Gamtel's shares.  
65 The ACE submarine cable landing station is managed by The Gambia Submarine Cable Company; 
49% of its shares are owned by th e Government and 51% by private investors.  
66 Currently, the local components of ACE consortium members are Gamtel, Gamcel, Netpage, Unique 
Solutions, Qcell, Africell, Comium, and the Government of The Gambia.  
67 Articles 38, 54, and 79, Information and Comm unications Act.  
68 Article 59, Information and Communications Act.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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- 63 - serve d basis; however, when allocating frequency, PURA, in practice, will reserve some bandwidth 
for potential new entries so as to ensure competition in the market. The IC Act provides the 
Minister with the power to limit the number of licences issued to operat ors.69 According to the 
authoriti es, the Minister has not exercised  this power so far.  
4.63.   There are several internet service providers (ISPs), including Netpage, Qcell, Gamcel, 
Africell, Gamtel, Insist Net, and Unique Solutions. In 2015, Netpage launched The Gambia's first 
commercial LTE -based broadband service. Most broadband services are provided by mobile 
carriers.70 Fixed -broadband penetration has remained low (less than 1%) due to low fixed -line 
penetration, whilst wireless broadband penetration experience d strong  growth from 1.3% in 2012 
to 21.2% in 2016 (Table 4.2).  
4.64.   PURA has the authority to ensure competition in the sector.71 PURA conducted its first 
market assessment and competition study in 2015.72 The study segmented the markets into 
various wholesale and retail markets where Gamtel is deemed to have dominance in the provision 
of National High Transmission Capacity; the authorities note d that regulatory safeguards have 
been applied to Gamtel to ensure fair, reasonable and non -discriminatory pricing. In the study, 
Africell was also designated as having significant market power status in the retail mobile market. 
The tariff structure for telecommunications services is subject to price caps. Operators must notify 
PURA of the prices of their service products  prior to launch.73 PURA is also working on fair billing to 
consumers, for example, unifying the billing unit from one minute to per second billing.  
4.65.   Although roaming is not regulated, PURA must "ensure the widest possible compatibility 
between mobile syste ms in terms of roaming" and "identify operators engaged in applying 
prohibitive prices".74 Roaming tariffs must be approved by PURA in consultation with stakeholders.  
4.66.   In addition to traditional telecommunications services, mobile carriers provide other ser vices 
such as mobile money and electricity payment. Partnered with the National Water & Electricity 
Company (NAWEC), Qcell and Africell compete in the market of electricity recharge tokens. Qcell 
and Africell, through their subsidiaries, also offer mobile money services.  
4.4.2.2   Postal services  
4.67.   During the period under review, there were no changes to the regulatory framework on 
postal services in The Gambia. The Gambia Postal Services Corporation (GAMPOST) is a semi -
autonomous entity under the Ministry of Informat ion and Communications, providing universal 
postal services for the country. Express courier services are fully open to private competition. 
Currently, DHL and UPS operate in courier services in the country through their locally 
incorporated subsidiaries. According to the authorities, prices for postal services , except for 
universal services , are not regulated.  
4.4.3   Transport  
4.4.3.1   Air transport  
4.68.   The legal and institutional framework for air transport remained largely unchanged during 
the period under review. The Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure is responsible for 
formulating policy in the area.75 The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is the regulator of 
operational and safety issues, including authorizing business operations, licensing aircrafts  and 
                                                
69 Article 23, Information and Communications Act.  
70 Netpage has its own network but is not licensed as a mobile service carrier.  
71 There is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the C ompetition and Consumer Protection 
Commission (CCPC) and the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA). As per the MoU, PURA has the 
responsibility for competition and consumer protection enforcement in the utility sector including 
telecommunications.  
72 This study was conducted in partnership with the International Telecommunications Union.  
73 Retail tariffs are market competitive, and do not require PURA approval.  
74 Article 56, Information and Communications Act.  
75 The Gambia is in the process of formulating a new national transport policy, including a policy for 
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- 64 - personnel, and monitoring air carriers operating in The Gambia's territory.76 GCAA also provides 
air navigation services in the Gambian airspace.  
4.69.   The Gambia pursues an open -skies policy. According to the authorities, The Gambia is open 
up to the sixth freedom of aviation rights without reservations : there are no restrictions on, inter 
alia, designation, capacity, and ticket pricing. Cabotage is allowed . Currently, The Gambia has 
27 bilateral air service s agreements. It is a signatory to the Yamoussoukro  Declaration on the 
creation of a single African air space, and the Banjul Accord for the accelerated implementation of 
the Yamoussoukro Declaration.77  
4.70.   Since June 2017, The Gambia once again  has a flag carrier – Fly Mid Africa, a privately  
owned company  incorporated in The Gambia, which operates regional routes. Gambia International 
Airlines (GIA) is the national carrier but its flight operations were discontinued in 2005;78 GIA's 
current business is focused on ground and cargo handling operations, as wel l as travel agency 
business.  
4.71.   Banjul International Airport (BIA) is the only airport in the country, and is 100% owned by 
the Government. As of July 2017, there were 16 airlines operating routes to Banjul, ten of which 
were for scheduled air services and s ix for non -scheduled air services. In 2016, close to  
327,000  passengers and 1.7 million tonnes of cargo were transported through BIA (Table 4.3).  
Table 4.3 Air traffic in The Gambia , 2011 -16 
  2011  2012  2013  2014 2015  2016  
Passenger s ('000)  Arrivals  157.3  157.6  174.6  155.1  131.8  160.4  
Departures  159.0  159.3  176.4  166.2  131.4  166.3  
Total  316.3  316.9  351.0  321.3  263.2  326.8  
Cargo ('000 tonnes)  Export  280.8  499.8  808.1  1,159.3  973.5  1,133.1  
Import  699.5  591.5  579.2  632.2  728.1  611 
Total  980.3  1,091.3  1,387.3  1,791.6  1,701.7  1,744.1  
Aircraft movement  Regional  3,819 2,743 3,222 2,031 1,510 1,407 
European  909 1,086 1,513 1,409 1,179 1,487 
Others  389 911 563 358 291 275 
Total  5,117 4,740 5,298 3,798 2,980 3,169 
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
4.72.   GCAA is responsible for the operation and management of the airport (BIA). Under a 
concession contract, ground and cargo handling at the airport is carried out by GIA. There are two 
passenger processing service providers competing in the market: GIA and Ai r Rep Services. The 
authorities indicated that GCAA will no longer function as airport manager once other regulatory 
interventions have been  completed (e.g. establishing an airport authority).79 The authorities 
further indicated that privatization of the ai rport is under consideration, and that all airport 
operation and management services are open to private sector participation, including foreign 
investment.  
4.73.   The capacity at BIA is optimally utilized only during the tourist season from November to 
April eac h year. The Gambia seeks to  promote BIA as a sub -regional hub for air transport, so as to 
utilize its capacity during the off season. In this regard, GCAA provides a waiver of la nding and 
parking fees as incentives to stimulate traffic during the off -peak season.  GCAA completed Phase 1 
of the BIA project  to improve  the infrastructure and facilities in 2012; these improvements 
included completion of the overlay of the runway, and upgrade of the airfield ground lighting 
                                                
76 The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority online information. Viewed at: http://www.gcaa.aero/ .  
77 The Banjul A ccord is among seven West African States (Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, 
Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone). It aims to establish a platform for negotiating traffic rights and market 
access, as well as for harmonizing air transport regulations; th e Banjul Accord group of States have allocated 
traffic rights to each member under the agreement. According to the authorities, the declaration has not been 
implemented.  
78 Gambia International Airlines (GIA) had a code -share agreement with Mauritania Airl ines in 2014, 
which was discontinued in 2015.  
79 African Development Bank (2013), The Gambia: Transport Sector Diagnostic Study . Viewed at: 
https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Publications/AfDB_ -_Gambia_ -
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- 65 - system.80 Phase 2 of the project is ongoing , including expansion of the apron (completed), 
improving two taxi ways (completed), improving the terminal buildings, and installing an 
Instrument Landing System (ILS).  
4.74.   An air transport tax was introduced in January 2014. The tax is applicable to all airlines and 
travel agencies for ticket sales of flights originating from The Gambia. The air transport tax is 
applied at a rate of 15% of the ticket price.  
4.4.3.2   Maritime  transport   
4.75.   The legal and institutional framework for maritime and river transport rem ained largely 
unchanged during the period under review. The Port Act 1972 is the basic legislation for the 
sector. The Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure is responsible for formulating  maritime  
policy  and t he Gambia Maritime Administration (GM A) under the Ministry is the regulator of ports 
and waterways, responsible for safety issues , and the registration and  licensing of vessels , and the 
certification of seafarers . The Gambia does not have its own national fleet.  
4.76.   The Gambia Ports Authority (GP A) remains the sole provider for all port services (including 
pilotage). The GPA  is responsible for the construction, maintenance, administration and operation 
of port infrastructure and facilities, and is also responsible for the river ports, ferries and 
associated infrastructure for inland waterways transport on the River Gambia. Cabotage is allowed.  
4.77.   The Port of Banjul is the only maritime port of the country, and is the gateway for the 
export/import trade. The quay length is 623 metres  (of which 300 mete rs for container ships) , and 
there is no restriction on the maximum length of vessels at wharves. Banjul Port has improved its 
capacity: in 2016, a new cargo terminal was built; the Port offers approximately 63,500  m2 of 
uncovered storage area, 2,300 m2 of covered storage area and about 9,000 m2 of covered storage 
for bonded goods.  
4.78.   As provided in the Port Act, GPA determines berthing, mooring and anchoring locations, and 
approaches to the port, and sets ships' dues relating to these operations; it also set s and collects 
harbour dues, based on the number of passengers and freight volume. Charges are applied to 
imports and exports at different rates as per Port Tariff, which was revised in 2013.81 GPA 
continues investing to improve capacity and efficiency in Banjul Port. Currently, performance for 
cargo handling is 17 moves per hour for containers, 48 tonnes per gang hour for general cargo, 
and 1,000 tonnes per 24 hours for bulk cargo. GPA is consi dering a number of projects for future 
development including construction of a new container terminal.82 
4.79.   Cargo throughput has increased  significantly between 2011 and 2016 , mainly due to growth 
of import s through Banjul Port (Table 4. 4). Banjul Port also ha ndles transit trade for neighbouring 
countries including Guinea -Bissau, Guinea, Mali, and Senegal. Transit cargo to Guinea -Bissau and 
to Senegal has increased significantly  (Table 4.5).  
Table 4.4 Cargo throughput  at the Port of Banjul , 2011 -16 
(tonnes)  
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Imports  1,227,569  1,295,282  1,327,959  1,552,056  1,547,160  1,669,479  
Exports  450,604  337,873  295,658  369,722  300,394  393,820  
Total  1,678,173  1,633,155  1,623,617  1,921,778  1,847,554  2,063,299  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
4.80.   Regarding river transport, there is no legal restriction on participation by the private sector, 
including foreign investment. Currently, river transport is only for freight; no services for 
                                                
80 African Development Bank (2013), The Gambia: Transport Sector Diagnostic Study . Viewed at: 
https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Publications/AfDB_ -_Gambia_ -
_Transport_sector_diagnostic_study.pdf .  
81 The authoritie s indicated that rates have not increased in revised Port Tariff ; the revision was a 
reflection of change s in international trade practice.  
82 Ministry of Transport, Works & Infrastructure presentation on the 5th Meeting of the COMCEC 
Transport and Communi cations Working Group. Viewed at: http://www.comcec.org/wp -
content/uploads/2015/03/GAMBIA.pdf .  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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- 66 - passenger transport along the river (except tourist boating) are provided due to a lack of 
investment, according to the authorities. There is one private -sector operator with two barges, 
while the National Food Security Processing and Marketing Corporation has its own transport 
system. The Gambia Ferry Services Company Ltd83 remains the sole operator of cross -river 
ferries.84 Ferries operate in eight river crossings along the river. The ferries are managed as an 
integral part of the road network to connect the north and south banks of the Gambia River along 
with the primar y North -South road network.  
Table 4.5 Transit shipments  through the Port of Banjul, 2010 -16 
(tonnes)  
 2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
Guinea - Bissau  410 1,080 1,166 1,311 1,605 1,658 
Guinea  1,306 1,285 1,396 1,289 997 930 
Mali 39 201 227 228 1,336 249 
Senegal  736 883 1,812 2,711 3,220 3,118 
Total  2,491 3,449 4,601 5,539 7,158 5,955 
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
4.4.3.3   Road  transport  
4.81.   Road transport is the main mode for the movement of persons and goods in The Gambia. 
During the review period, the legal and institutional framework for road transport remained 
unchanged. The Ministry of Transport, Works & Infrastructure is the competent policy authority  
and the regulator of the sector. The National Roads Authority (NRA) is responsible for construction, 
maintenance and management of the road network. According to the authorities, although more 
than half of the country's road network is in p oor condition, 80% of the primary road network is in 
good condition and funds have been mobilized to improve the remaining 20%.  
4.82.   Road transport, including urban transport, for passengers and freight is fully liberalized in 
The Gambia. The private sector is the sole services provider, as the Gambia Public Transport 
Corporation went bankrupt and discontinued its services in 2003.85 There is no restriction on entry 
and exit into public transportation services. No route allocations are applied through the 
authori ties. However, services providers must join either of the two umbrella associations: the 
National Transport Controllers Association (NTCA) or the National Transporters Association. The 
NTCA has 27,000 members countrywide and vehicle/truck ownership  per mem ber ranges from 
1 to 30. Prices for road transport are not regulated. Cabotage is allowed.  
4.83.   Operators seeking to transport freight or passengers on routes between The Gambia and 
Senegal are required to obtain a permit, under a bilateral Road Transport Agree ment. These 
permits are delivered by the Minister responsible for transport in either country. The cost of 
issuance in The Gambia is D 500. Cross -border road transport is "delegated" to NTCA.86 NTCA's 
main complaint is with respect to the several stops alon g the routes and  a lack of trade and 
transport facilitation instruments across frontiers. The authorities indicated that the issues will 
have to be addressed at the ECOWAS -level so as to implement the One Stop Border Posts on the 
regional road network to e nsure harmonization of customs and immigration procedures.  
4.84.   There are no regular and periodic traffic surveys on the road network in The Gambia. The 
most recent comprehensive traffic survey was conducted in 2009. Traffic levels on the main 
network are highe st on the south bank and in the west of the country: they ranged from an 
Average Daily Traffic (ADT) of 7,415 vehicles on the Banjul –Mandina Ba section to 206 ADT on the 
Basse –Fatoto section. On the north bank, the heaviest traffic is around  the Barra –Farafenni section 
with an ADT of 2 ,312, decreasing to an ADT of just over 50 at the eastern end of the north bank. 
                                                
83 The Gambia Ferry Services Company Ltd is a state -owned enterprise.  
84 The Gambia had an unsuccessful attempt to upgrade its ferry services through a public -private -
partnership with a Greek private investor.  
85 The Gambia Public Transport (repeal) Act, passed in 2012, dissolved the Gambia Public Transport 
Corporation (GPTC). The Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC) was established in 2013, as a private 
company, inheriting all the assets from GPTC.  
86 African Development Bank (2013), The Gambia: Transport Sector Diagnostic Study . Viewed at: 
https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Publications/AfDB_ -_Gambia_ -
_Transport_sector_diagnostic_study.pdf . WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
- 67 - 
 
 WT/TPR/S/xxx • The Gambia  
 
- 67 - On the longitudinal axis, the heaviest traffic is on the Trans -Gambia highway from Farafenni to 
Soma recording an ADT of about 1,000 vehicles. The 2009 traffic survey also found that over 36% 
of all trucks (including transit traffic) exceeded the axle loads limit of 11.5 tonnes; this situation of 
excessive axle loads has led to the rapid deterioration of the primary road network.  
4.4.4   Tourism  
4.85.   The tour ism industry is a major contributor to the economy. The authorities estimated that 
tourism contributed about 16 -20% to GDP in 2016.87 The Ebola outbreak in the region in 2014 had 
a significant adverse impact on The Gambia, even though no case s were reported  in The Gambia .  
4.86.   The main tourism season in The Gambia is from October to April, with a peak in December 
and January. Besides its Atlantic -coast beach resorts, The Gambia's main advantages are its 
culture (e.g. "Roots" tourism), and its variety of wildlife  and ecosystems, including abundant 
birdlife and natural reserves. Most tourists arrive through scheduled and charter flights at Banjul 
Airport. In order to develop the off -season, as well as to fully utilize the capacity of Banjul Airport, 
The Gambia offe rs seasonal incentives such as a 25%  discount on aircraft handling charges for all 
flights, a 25%  discount on landing and parking fees for all tourist flights, and a 50%  reduction in 
tax for hotels and ground handlers; these incentives are applicable for t he period from May to 
October each year.  
4.87.   The policy framework for the tourism subsector is provided by the National Tourism Master 
Plan. The Master Plan initiated a number of projects to add local value to the tourism sector, 
including the "Gambia is Good " (GiG) initiative, eco -tourism, river voyages, and birdwatching trips. 
The Gambia Tourism Board carried out a need s assessment for the sector, and the assessment 
report was released in June 2017.  
4.88.   According to the authorities, traditional cultural activit ies, including handicraft s, are the 
leading contributor to the output of the tourism sector; they also employ (directly and indirectly) 
two thirds of the working population. The National Centre for Art and Culture (NCAC) is carrying 
out an assessment of  the contribution of handicraft s and culinary art to the economy; the NCAC 
called for better policy support and technical assistance such as capacity building. NCAC is of the 
view that traditional culture will boost the country's tourism exports as well as ce rtain goods 
exports.  
4.89.   There are no restrictions on foreign investment in the tourism sector. Project proposals for 
foreign investment must be submit ted to  the Ministry of Tourism and Culture for approval. The 
authorities indicated that this approval proced ure will help investors to lease land at a concessional 
rate.  
4.90.   The authorities considered that the shortage of high -end hotel facilities is the main 
bottleneck hindering further development of the tourism sector. One issue is the star rating 
applied to hot els in The Gambia. Currently, the Quality and Licensing Unit under the Gambia 
Tourism Board employs its domestic standard to classify hotels. According to the authorities, this 
domestic standard is not aligned with international standards. The Ministry is to take action to 
ensure that the Gambian hotel star rating is comparable  with international standards.  
4.91.   Tourist guides must be registered with the Tourist Guid e Association, and licensed by t he 
Gambia Tourism Board.  
                                                
87 The Gambia does not yet have a tourism satellite account.   
  WT/TPR/S/365 • The Gambia  
 
- 68 - 5  APPENDIX TABLES  
Table A1. 1 Cumulative revenu e loss due to exemptions , 2016  
(in dalasi '000) 
 Type of tax  Total  Share  
of total 
exemptions  Type of exemptions  Import 
duty  
oil Import 
duty  
non-oil Import 
VAT  
oil Import 
VAT  
non-oil Import/  
export 
processing 
fees Environment 
tax on 
imports  Excise 
tax on  
imports  ECOWAS 
import 
levy 
Total revenue loss due to 
exemptions   23,979   791,202    21,581   481,903     41,720      4,156    61,628    61,553   1,487,722  100.0%  
   Of which:  
   NAWEC, GPA, Ballast & others   12,953   176,940    11,658   192,505     16,676        10    17,051    13,000    440,794  29.6%  
   Duties waived from MOFEA    4,068   296,474     3,661   102,083         n.a.        14     3,959  n.a.     410,259  27.6%  
   Diplomats    6,304   192,854     5,673    43,499     18,068      4,108     8,768    11,657    290,931  19.6%  
   Government     654   35,558      589    49,708      5,833         9    10,189     3,763    106,303  7.1%  
    ECOWAS External Trade 
Liberalization Scheme (ETLS)  n.a.  15,841  n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.   32,442     48,283  3.2%  
   REF n.a.  12,808  n.a.   14,422       993  n.a.   19,293      594     48,109  3.2%  
   New GIEPA SIC's holders  n.a. n.a. n.a.   45,463  n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.    45,463  3.1%  
   ID GAMBEGA  n.a.  37,660  n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.    37,660  2.5%  
   Medical research council  n.a.  10,868  n.a.   24,867  n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.    35,735  2.4%  
n.a. Not applicable.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities of The Gambia.  
 
  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
- 69 - 
 
 Table A1. 2 Merchandise exports by product group, excluding re -exports, 2010 -15  
(US$ million and %)  
 2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
Total (US$ million)   33.3    11.1    18.4    11.5    16.2    19.1  
  (% of total)  
I. Live animals & products  17.8 26.7 5.8 13.7 12.1 10.7 
   HS 03 Fish and crustaceans  17.8 26.6 5.8 13.7 12.0 10.7 
     HS 0306 Crustaceans  0.2 0 0.2 0.3 0.6 1.4 
     HS 0305 Fish, dried, salted or in brine  1.3 8.3 1.2 2.2 0.6 4.5 
     HS 0302 Fish, fresh or chilled  4.0 2.3 1.4 0.3 4.3 0.3 
     HS 0304 Fish fillets and other fish meat  0.3 0.2 0.7 3.4 0.1 0.4 
     HS 0307 Molluscs  0.9 0.6 0.4 2.1 1.0 2.2 
     HS 0303 Fish, frozen  11.1 15.3 1.1 4.7 5.4 1.9 
     HS 0301 Live fish  0 0.0 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.0 
II. Vegetable products  33.4 37.3 25.2 75.9 36.1 38.1 
   HS 12 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits  23.1 17.4 8.9 28.8 3.2 23.4 
     HS 1202 Ground -nuts 23.1 17.4 8.9 22.4 3.1 23.4 
   HS 08 Edible fruit and nuts  10.2 19.8 16.3 46.9 31.7 16.3 
     HS 0801 Coconuts, Brazil nuts and   
cashew nuts  10.1 19.2 16.3 46.3 30.2 14.3 
III. Fats & oils  25.7 13.4 17.0 0.4 0.0 24.8 
   HS 15 Animal or vegetable fats and oils  25.7 13.4 17.0 0.4 0.0 24.8 
     HS 1508 Ground -nut oil and its fractions  25.7 13.4 17.0 0 0 24.8 
IV. Prepared food etc.  12.0 5.7 7.1 1.9 1.3 0.2 
V. Minerals  8.1 7.6 0.0 0.0 0 0 
VI. Chemical & allied industries  0.2 0.1 0.7 0.0 0.5 0 
VII. Plastics & rubber  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 
VIII.  Hides & skins  0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0 0 
IX. Wood & articles  0.0 4.6 42.0 4.7 46.4 16.6 
   HS 44 Wood and articles of wood; wood  
             charcoal  0.0 4.6 42.0 4.7 46.4 16.6 
     HS 4401 Fuel wood, in logs, in billets,  
                   in twigs, in faggots or in similar  
                  forms  0 0.2 2.3 0.6 46.3 16.5 
     HS 4408 Sheets for veneering  0 0.8 29.2 3.1 0.1 0 
X. Pulp, paper etc.  0.3 1.3 1.1 1.4 0.6 0.2 
XI. Textile & articles  0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 
XII. Footwear, headgear  0 0 0 0.0 0 0 
XIII.  Articles of stone  0 0 0 0 0.0 0 
XIV. Precious stones, etc.  0 0 0 0 0 0 
XV. Base metals & articles of base metal  2.1 2.1 0.5 1.2 2.6 0.2 
XVI. Machinery  0.0 1.0 0.2 0.5 0.0 0 
XVII.  Transport equipment  0.0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 
XVIII.  Precision equipment  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 
XX. Miscellaneous manufacturing  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 
XXI. Works of art, etc.  0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.1 0 
Other  0.1 0 0 0 0 9.2 
Note:  0.0 refers to >0 and <0.05.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on UNSD Comtrade database; and trade data provided by the 
authorities of The Gambia.  
  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
- 70 - 
 
  Table A1. 3 Merchandise exports by destination, excluding re -exports, 2010 -15 
(US$ million and %)  
 2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
Total (US$ million)  33.3 11.1 18.4 11.5 16.2 19.1 
 (% of total)  
Americas  9.9 4.2 0.9 0.8 0.3 0.1 
 United States  8.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1 
 Other America  1.8 4.1 0.8 0.6 0.0 0 
Europe  55.5 45.4 30.3 18.0 11.8 42.6 
 EU(28)  55.3 45.2 29.8 17.2 11.7 42.5 
     France  19.9 13.4 0.0 0.7 0.1 20.1 
     United Kingdom  28.0 19.3 23.6 7.6 4.3 16.8 
     Netherlands  2.1 6.7 3.4 3.3 2.8 2.1 
     Spain  2.0 4.1 1.1 4.7 2.8 1.7 
     Italy 0.0 0.0 0 0.4 1.4 1.5 
     Sweden  0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.2 
     Portugal  0.2 0 0 0 0 0.1 
     Belgium  0.4 1.3 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 
 EFTA 0.2 0.1 0.6 0 0.0 0 
 Other Europe  0.1 0.0 0 0.8 0.1 0.0 
Commonwealth of independent states (CIS)  0.0 0.0 3.6 0.1 0 0 
Africa  12.0 6.3 4.5 5.0 6.5 5.0 
     Senegal  9.5 4.5 2.1 1.6 3.1 3.8 
     South Africa  0.4 0.1 0.7 2.6 2.8 0.5 
     Guinea  0.1 0.2 0.0 0 0 0.4 
     Nigeria  0.0 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2 
Middle East  0.6 1.6 0.0 0.7 2.0 1.7 
     Israel  0 0.1 0 0.0 0.4 1.3 
     United Arab Emirates  0.6 0.8 0.0 0.6 1.6 0.4 
Asia 21.9 42.4 60.6 75.3 79.4 50.7 
 China  0.6 13.4 41.9 5.9 46.6 12.3 
 Japan  0 0 0 0.0 0 0 
 Other Asia  21.3 29.1 18.7 69.4 32.8 38.4 
     Viet Nam  0.0 0.3 1.1 23.1 3.8 19.0 
     India 9.7 21.8 15.8 40.2 27.5 12.7 
     Singapore  1.1 3.1 0.4 2.8 0.5 6.0 
     Korea, Republic of  0.1 0 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 
     Hong Kong, China  8.2 1.2 0.4 0.2 0 0.2 
     Thailand  0.2 0 0.2 0 0.6 0.2 
Other  0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 
Memo:        
ECOWAS  11.5 5.9 2.8 2.4 3.7 4.4 
Note:  0.0 refers to >0 and <0.05.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on UNSD Comtrade database; and data provided by the 
authorities of The Gambia.  
 
  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 71 - 
 
  Table A1.4 Merchandise imports by product group, 2010 -15 
(US$ million and %)  
 2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
Total (US$ million)  283.7  340.7  380.0  350.2  387.2  393.0  
 (% of total)  
I. Live animals & products  2.8 2.5 2.2 1.9 2.5 3.1 
II. Vegetable products  15.5 16.2 17.4 18.5 20.8 18.1 
 HS 10 Cereals  8.5 10.5 11.6 10.5 18.6 13.7 
 HS 11 Products of the milling industry  4.2 3.5 4.1 6.3 0.5 2.7 
 HS 07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers  1.4 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.9 0.9 
III. Fats & oils  6.6 5.1 5.0 5.0 7.3 5.4 
 HS 15 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their 
  cleavage products  6.6 5.1 5.0 5.0 7.3 5.4 
IV. Prepared food etc.  11.3 9.1 8.5 11.9 10.3 11.0 
 HS 17 Sugars and sugar confectionery  5.8 4.5 4.5 7.9 7.0 7.6 
V. Minerals  24.5 25.7 30.9 27.2 24.9 31.2 
 HS 27 Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their 
  distillation  20.5 22.2 27.0 23.8 21.3 18.7 
 HS 25 Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering 
 materials, lime and cement  4.0 3.5 3.8 3.5 3.7 12.5 
VI. Chemical & allied industries  4.2 6.0 5.2 4.2 3.7 3.7 
VII. Plastics & rubber  1.8 2.1 2.6 1.8 1.7 1.5 
VIII. Hides & skins  0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 
IX. Wood & articles  0.9 0.8 0.6 0.5 1.4 0.7 
X. Pulp, paper etc.  2.2 1.5 1.4 1.7 1.6 2.5 
XI. Textile & articles  5.5 4.7 3.4 4.7 3.9 3.4 
 HS 54 Man - made filaments  2.9 2.6 2.0 2.1 2.0 2.0 
XII. Footwear, headgear  0.7 0.6 0.5 0.8 0.6 0.6 
XIII. Articles of stone  1.3 1.4 1.2 1.4 1.3 2.0 
XIV. Precious stones, etc.  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
XV. Base metals & articles of base metal  3.1 4.5 2.7 1.8 2.2 2.2 
XVI. Machinery  9.4 10.6 8.4 6.9 9.7 5.4 
 HS 85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts  
  thereof  5.4 7.0 4.5 3.4 5.6 3.0 
 HS 84 Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts 
  thereof  4.0 3.6 4.0 3.5 4.1 2.4 
XVII. Transport equipment  7.8 7.0 7.5 9.9 5.7 7.4 
 HS 87 Vehicles  7.7 6.8 7.3 9.8 5.6 6.2 
XVIII. Precision equipment  0.8 1.2 1.1 0.7 1.1 0.8 
XIX. Arms & ammunition  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
XX. Miscellaneous manufacturing  1.2 1.1 1.2 0.9 1.0 1.0 
XXI. Works of art, etc.  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on UNSD Comtrade database; and trade data provided by the 
authorities of The Gambia.  
  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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  Table A1. 5 Merchandise imports by origin, 2010 -15 
(US$ million and %)  
 2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
Total (US$ million)  283.7  340.7  380.0  350.2  387.2  393.0  
 (% of total)  
Americas  14.2 14.9 11.3 14.5 14.0 14.7 
 United States  3.4 1.7 1.6 2.6 1.6 4.6 
 Other America  10.8 13.2 9.6 11.9 12.4 10.1 
   Brazil  10.0 11.6 6.9 11.0 11.0 9.5 
Europe  30.6 28.4 25.4 28.2 27.1 24.6 
 EU(28)  27.5 24.0 19.3 22.2 24.6 23.5 
   United Kingdom  5.3 4.6 3.6 4.1 3.8 4.8 
   Spain  3.4 1.0 1.2 2.0 2.2 3.4 
   France  2.2 2.4 2.1 3.6 5.2 3.2 
   Germany  3.7 3.3 2.7 2.6 1.9 2.8 
   Netherlands  5.1 3.6 2.5 2.3 2.8 2.7 
   Belgium  2.6 4.4 4.4 4.8 5.2 2.4 
   Denmark  0.6 1.2 0.7 0.7 0.4 1.3 
   Poland  0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.9 
   Latvia  0 0.0 0 0 1.0 0.7 
 EFTA 0.8 0.5 1.6 1.4 1.4 0.3 
 Other Europe  2.3 3.9 4.5 4.7 1.1 0.9 
   Turkey  2.3 3.9 4.5 4.6 1.1 0.9 
Commonwealth of independent states 
(CIS)  0.0 0.2 0.3 0.0 1.6 1.8 
 Russian Federation  0.0 0 0.0 0.0 1.6 1.7 
Africa  27.1 29.9 35.9 31.0 27.6 35.1 
 Côte d'Ivoire  19.4 21.3 26.6 22.9 20.6 17.8 
 Senegal  2.5 4.7 6.0 5.8 4.8 15.3 
Middle East  4.3 3.2 1.9 4.3 2.0 2.5 
 United Arab Emirates  3.1 2.2 1.5 3.9 1.6 2.1 
Asia 23.7 23.4 25.3 22.0 27.6 21.3 
 China  8.7 8.4 8.5 6.9 8.3 7.0 
 Japan  0.9 1.1 3.6 0.3 0.1 0.3 
 Other Asia  14.2 13.9 13.1 14.8 19.2 14.0 
   Pakistan  2.0 0.7 1.2 2.3 1.8 3.6 
   Malaysia  2.3 3.6 1.4 1.6 4.6 3.1 
   India 4.4 2.8 3.5 4.2 6.5 3.0 
   Indonesia  0.3 1.1 3.7 3.1 2.4 1.5 
   Thailand  2.5 0.8 0.6 0.6 2.4 1.4 
Other  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 
Memo:        
ECOWAS  23.3 26.7 33.0 29.3 26.0 33.5 
Note:  0.0 refers to >0 and <0.05.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on UNSD Comtrade database; and data provided by the 
authorities of The Gambia.  
  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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  Table A1. 6 Main re -exported products by HS 2 -digit level and destination in 2014  
 Destinations  Value  
in US$ 
1,000  % of total 
re-exports  
Total re -exports  World  87,769  100.0  
  Mali 39,329  44.8 
  Guinea  25,702  29.3 
  Senegal  16,091  18.3 
 Memo:  
  ECOWAS  87,451  99.6 
  Other countries  317 0.4 
 Re-exports as a share of 
total exports (%)  84.4 
By main product groups  
HS 54 Man -made filaments; strip and the like of man -
 made textile materials  World  62,856  71.6 
  Mali 35,463  40.4 
  Guinea  24,717  28.2 
  Guinea -Bissau  1,242  1.4 
HS 84 Machinery and mechanical appliances; parts 
 thereof  World  5,608  6.4 
  Senegal  5,329  6.1 
  Guinea -Bissau  123 0.1 
  Sierra Leone  99 0.1 
HS 16 Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans, 
 molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates  World  4,838  5.5 
  Senegal  4,462  5.1 
  Mali 210 0.2 
  Guinea  89 0.1 
HS 87 Vehicles  World  2,559  2.9 
  Senegal  2,158  2.5 
  Guinea -Bissau  226 0.3 
  Burkina Faso  64 0.1 
HS 04 Dairy produce  World  1,745  2.0 
  Mali 1,078  1.2 
  Guinea  268 0.3 
  Senegal  252 0.3 
HS 63 Other made -up textile articles; sets; worn 
 clothing and worn textile articles; rags  World  1,315  1.5 
  Guinea -Bissau  940 1.1 
  Senegal  150 0.2 
  Guinea  95 0.1 
HS 09 Coffee, tea, maté and spices  World  1,141  1.3 
  Mali 776 0.9 
  Guinea -Bissau  149 0.2 
  Senegal  144 0.2 
HS 17 Sugars and sugar confectionery  World  1,123  1.3 
  Senegal  782 0.9 
  Guinea -Bissau  328 0.4 
  Guinea  7 0.0 
HS 72 Iron and steel  World  1,030  1.2 
  Senegal  963 1.1 
  Guinea  47 0.1 
  Guinea -Bissau  20 0.0 
HS 19 Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; 
 pastry cooks' products  World  885 1.0 
  Mali 538 0.6 
  Guinea -Bissau  196 0.2 
  Guinea  71 0.1 
HS 27 Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their 
 distillation; bituminous substances; mineral 
 waxes  World  862 1.0 
  Guinea -Bissau  861 1.0 
  Senegal  1 0.0 
HS 85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts 
 thereof  World  716 0.8 
  Guinea -Bissau  277 0.3 
  Senegal  216 0.2 
  EU-28 85 0.1 WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
- 74 - 
 
   Destinations  Value  
in US$ 
1,000  % of total 
re-exports  
HS 15 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their 
 cleavage products  World  684 0.8 
  Senegal  330 0.4 
  Mali 172 0.2 
  Guinea -Bissau  93 0.1 
HS 20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other 
 parts of plants  World  506 0.6 
  Mali 299 0.3 
  Guinea  97 0.1 
  Senegal  64 0.1 
HS 39 Plastics and articles thereof  World  358 0.4 
  Guinea -Bissau  179 0.2 
  Senegal  142 0.2 
  Mali 37 0.0 
Source:  UNSD Comtrade.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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  Table A2. 1 Acts of the National Assembly and selected legal notices, 2010 -16  
No. Acts of the National Assembly  
2010  
1. Appropriation Act, 2010  
2. Cabinet Members Payment of Gratuities (Amendment) Act , 2010  
3. The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Act, 2010 
4. Social Security Corporation Act , 2010  
5. Housing Finance and Development Corporation Act , 2010  
6. Local Government (Amendment) Act , 2010  
7. Rent Tribunal (Establishment) Act, 2010  
8. National Centre for Art and Culture (Amendment) Act , 2010  
9. Income and Sales Tax (Amendment) Act , 2010  
10. Gambia Revenue Authority (Amendment) Act , 2010  
11. The Customs and Excise Act , 2010  
12. Women's Act , 2010  
13. The National Planning Commission (Repeal) Act , 2010  
14. Supplementary Appropriation Act , 2010  
15. The Gambia Standards Bureau Act , 2010  
16. Drug Control (Amendment) Act , 2010  
17. Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Act , 2010  
18. Criminal Code (Amendment) Act , 2010  
2011  
1.  Appropriation Act , 2011   
2.  Drug Control (Amendment) Act, 2011  
3.  Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Act, 2011  
4.  Criminal Code Amendment Act, 2011  
5.  Private Security Guard Companies Act, 2011  
6.  The Gambia Tourism Board Act, 2011  
7. Food Safety and Quality Act, 2011  
8.  The Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute Act, 2011  
2012  
1.  Appropriation Act, 2012  
2.  Women's (Amendment) Act, 2012  
3.  Income and Value Added Tax Act, 2012  
4.  Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorist Financing Act, 2012  
5.  The Gambia Anti -Corruption Commission Act, 2012  
6.  Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2012  
7.  The Gambia Public Transport (Repeal) Act, 2012  
2013  
1.  Appropriation Act, 2013  
2.  Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2013  
3.  National Enterprise Development Initiative Act, 2013  
4.  Merchant Shipping Act, 2013  
5.  Marine Pollution Act, 2013  
6.  Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2013  
7.  Financial Reporting Act, 2013  
8.  Information and Communications (Amendment) Act, 2013  
9. Companies Act, 2013  
10.  Single Window Business Registration Act, 2013  
11.  Renewable Energy Act, 2013  
12.  Motor Trafficking (Amendment) Act, 2013  
13.  Bicycles (Amendment) Act, 2013  
14.  Domestic Violence Act, 2013  
15.  Sexual Offences Act, 2013  
2014  
1. Appropriation Act, 2014  
2.  Tourism Offences (Amendment) Act, 2014  
3.  The Gambia Consumer Protection Act, 2014  
4.  Competition (Amendment) Act, 2014  
5.  Public Finance Act, 2014  
6.  Security Interests in Moveable Property Act, 2014  
7.  The Gambia Public Procurement Authority Act, 2014  
8.  The Gambia National Petroleum Corporation Act, 2014  
9.  Drug Control (Amendment) Act, 2014  
10.  Rent Act, 2014  
11.  Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 2014  
12.  Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2014  
13.  Seed Quality and Marketing Act, 2014  
14.  Medicines and Related Products Act, 2014  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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  No. Acts of the National Assembly  
15.  Pharmacy Council Act, 2014  
2015  
1.  Appropriation Act, 2015  
2.  National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority Act, 2015  
3.  National Aids Council and Secretariat Act, 2015  
4.  HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Act, 2015  
5.  Industrial Property (Amendment) Act, 2015  
6.  Elections (Amendment) Act, 2015  
7.  Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2015  
8.  President International Award Act, 2015  
9.  National Youth Service Scheme Act, 2015  
10.  National Audit Office Act, 2015  
11.  Women's (Amendment) Act, 2015  
12.  Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation Act, 2015  
13.  Children's (Amendment) Act, 2015  
14.  State Lands (Amendment) Act, 2015  
15.  Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2015  
16.  Legal Practitioners Act, 2015  
17.  The Gambia Law School Act, 2015  
18.  Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2015  
19.  Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 2015  
20.  The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency Act, 2015 
21.  Essential Commodities Act, 2015  
2016  
1.  Appropriation Act, 2016  
2.  West Africa Livestock Innovation Centre Act, 2016  
3.  Financial Institutions Act, 2016  
4.  Payment Systems Act, 2016  
5.  Legal Practitioners Act, 2016  
6.  The Gambia Law School Act, 2016  
7.  Children's (Amendment) Act, 2016  
8.  Tertiary and Higher Education Act, 2016  
9.  The Gambia Tourism Board (Amendment) Act, 2016  
10.  Tobacco Control Act, 2016  
11.  Public and Environmental Health Officers Act, 2016  
12.  Petroleum Products Act, 2016  
 
No. Selected l egal notices  
2010  
3.  Licences Act (Amendment of Second Schedule) Order, 2010  
6.  Tariff Increase for V -SAT Class B and Spectrum fee for all classes of V -SAT Licenses fee Regulations, 
2010  
10. Licences Act (Amendment of Second Schedule) Order, 2010  
14.  The Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory, Enforcement Regulations, 2010  
15.  Commission of Inquiry into Land Allocation in The Gambia  
16.  Customs and Excise Act, Appointment and Fixing of Limits of Ports, Customs Areas, etc. Notice, 2010  
2011  
2.  Housing Finance and Development Corporation Act, 2010  
6.  Companies Act (Alteration of Eleventh Schedule) Regulations, 2011  
7. Business Registration (Amendment) Regulations, 2011  
8. The Industrial Property Regulations, 2010  
9.  Fish and Fishery Products Regulations, 2011  
10.  Licence Act (Amendment of Second Schedule) Order, 2011  
16.  The Gambia Bureau of Standards Act (Commencement) Order, 2011  
17.  Code of Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2011  
18.  Licences Act (Amendmen t of Second Schedule) Order, 2011  
20.  Industrial Property (Amendment) Regulations, 2011  
21.  Licences Act Regulations 2011  
22.  Tourism Regulations, 2011  
23.  Commission of Inquiry into Fertilizer Procurement and Distribution in The Gambia  
27.  Commission of Inquiry into Tax Evasion and Other Corrupt Practices in The Gambia from 1999 to date  
30.  Licence Act (Amendment) of Second Schedule Order 2012  
2012  
5.  The Gambia Investment of Export Promotion Agency Reg., 2012  
6.  The Civil Aviation Security Quality Control Reg., 2012  
10.  Food Safety and Quality Act (Commencement) Order, 2012  
11.  Biodiversity and Wildlife Act, 2012  
12.  The Gambia Public Utilities Reg. Authority Act, 2012  
14.  Income and Sales Tax Act  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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  No. Selected l egal notices  
15.  Income and Sales Tax Act (Notification of Secretary's Address Order, 2012  
18.  Licences Act (Amendment of Second Schedule) Order, 2012  
19.  Licences Act (Amendment of Second Schedule) Order, 2012  
2013  
6.  Wild Life Act (Reservation of Protected  Area) Notice, 2013  
7.  The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency Act, 2013  
8.  Guidelines for the Implementation of the ECOWAS Interstate Road transit  
9.  Customs and Excise Act, 2010  – Variation of Rate of Duty Order, 2013  
10.  The Gambian Standard for Wheat Flour  
11.  The Gambian Standard for Peanuts/Groundnuts  
12.  The Gambian Standard for Sugar  
13.  The Gambian Standard for General Princip les of Food Hygiene  
14.  The Gambian Standard for Labelling of Pre -packaged foods  
15.  The Gambian Standard for Rice  
16.  The Gambian Standard for Edible Fats and Oils  
17.  The Gambian Standard for Natural Mineral Waters  
18.  The Gambian Standard for Bottled/Packaged Drink ing Waters  
19.  The Gambian Standard for Processed Tomato Concentrates  
22.  White Paper (Government) (Tax revision and other corrupt practices)  
2014  
1.  Legal Practitioners (Recognized Jurisdictions) Rules, 2013  
2.  Companies Act (Commencement) Order, 2014  
3.  Single Window Business Registration Act (Commencement) Order, 2014  
4.  Single Window Business Registration Fee Schedule Order, 2014  
6.  Business Registration Regulations, 2014  
8.  Government White Paper on Fertilizer Procurement and Distribution in The Gambia, 2014  
9.  Notice of Imposition of Flat Rate Order, 2014  
11.  Reliance  Oil Mills Free Zones Declaration  
12.  Traditional Medicines Regulations, 2014  
13.  The Gambia Consumer Protection Act (Commencement) Order, 2014  
39.  Financial Reporting Act (Commencement) Order, 2014  
40.  Amendment of the Fourth Schedule Order, 2014 (Companies Act)  
41.  Merchant Shipping Act (Commencement) Order, 2014  
42.  Marin e Pollution Act (Commencement) Order, 2014  
43.  Combating the International Financing of Terrorism (Tracing, Freezing, Seizure, Confiscation and other 
Related Measures, Regulations, 2014  
49.  The Gambia Public Procurement Act (Commencement) Order, 2014  
50.  Public Finance Act (Commencement) Order, 2014  
2015  
15.  Ban on Plastic Bags Order, 2015  
24.  International Insurance Company - Insurance (Cancellation of Registration of Insurer) Notice  
33.  Income Tax (Rates for Informal Sector) Regulations, 2015  – Income and VAT Act, 2015  
34. Consumer Protection Tribunal Rules, 2015  
2016  
2. Forest Regulations, 2016  
6. Golden Lead Import and Export Trade Company Limited Free Zone Declaration  
7. "A" Plus Fishing Enterprise Limited Free Zone Declaration  
8. Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations,  2017 
16.  Financial Regulations, 2016  
.. Not available.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
 WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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  Table A2. 2 WTO notifications by The Gambia, 2010 -17  
Products 
covered/ 
Subject  Description of notification  Document title  Date  
Agreement on Agriculture  
Notifications under Articles 10 and 18.2  
Export subsidies  No export subsidies from 2005 to 2010  G/AG/N/GMB/4  
 12/01/2011  
Domestic support  
 Biennial notifications from 1999 to 2013. 
Green Box measures: research; extension 
services; pest and disease control; 
training; and infrastructure  G/AG/N/GMB/5  
  10/04/2014  
Agreement on Antidumping  
Notifications under Articles 16.4 and 16.5  
 No AD authority established  G/ADP/N/193/GMB  07/02/2014  
Notifications under Article 18.5  
 No AD legislation enacted  G/ADP/N/1/GMB/1  07/02/2014  
Agreement on Customs Valuation  
Notifications under Articles 20.1 and 22  
 Application of the agreement since 2010 
(delayed since 1996)  G/VAL/N/4/GMB/1  
 11/04/2014  
 
Notifications under Article 22  
Implementation 
of GATT Article 
VII  Customs and Excise Act 2010  G/VAL/N/1/GMB/1  
 01/05/2014  
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures  
Notifications under Article 7.3  
Medicinal 
products  Licensing of medicinal products  
 G/LIC/N/3/GMB/3  
 15/12/2010  
 No import licensing regime in place  G/LIC/N/3/GMB/4  
 20/01/2014  
Agreement on Pre -shipment Inspection  
Notifications under Article 5  
 No PSI legislation enacted  G/PSI/N/1/Add.14  11/01/2011  
 No PSI legislation enacted  G/PSI/N/1/ Rev. 1/ Add.4  01/05/2014  
Agreement on Rules Of Origin  
Notifications under Article 5  
Non-preferential 
rules of origin  None enacted  G/RO/N/109  
 31/01/2014  
Agreement on Safeguards  
Notifications under Article 12.6  
 No safeguard legislation enacted  G/SG/N/1/GMB/1  21/04/2014  
Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
Notifications under Article 6.2  
Fish and fishery 
products  Fisheries Act 2007  
 G/SPS/N/GMB/2  
 07/01/2011  
Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  
Notifications under Articles 25.11 and 25.12  
 No SCV authority in place  G/SCM/N/202/GMB  07/02/ 2014  
Notifications under Article 32.6  
 No SCV legislation in force  G/SCM/N/1/GMB/1  07/02/2014  
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade  
Notifications under Paragraph C of Code of Good Practice  
Standards 
contained in 
Annex 3  Acceptance of some international 
standards  G/TBT/CS/N/183  20/01/2014  
Notifications under Articles 2.9.2; 2.10.1; 5.6.2; and 5.7.1  
All businesses  Single Window Registration Act 2013  G/TBT/N/GMB/1  22/01/2014  
All goods and 
services  Consumer Protection Bill   
 G/TBT/N/GMB/2  22/01/2014  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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  Products 
covered/ 
Subject  Description of notification  Document title  Date  
Agreement on Trade -Related Investment Measures  
Notifications under Article 6.2  
 None notified  G/TRIMS/N/2/Rev. 23/Add.2  21/01/2014  
Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement  
Notifications under Article 63.2  
 Copyright Act 2004 (including text)  IP/N/1/GMB/1  
IP/N/1/GMB/C/1  29/01/2014  
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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  Table A3. 1 Structure of the ECOWAS CET  
 No. of 
TLsa % of 
each 
band  Share (%) 
of each 
HS-2 digit 
levelb 
Essential social commodities (0%) [Total: 85 tariff lines]  83 97.6 n.a. 
HS 30 Pharmaceutical products  34 40.0 100.0  
HS 31 Fertili zers 15 17.6 65.2 
HS 49 Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing 
 industry  13 15.3 59.1 
HS 90 Optical, photographic, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus  8 9.4 5.4 
HS 87 Vehicles  3 3.5 1.9 
HS 27 Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation  3 3.5 4.9 
HS 85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof  2 2.4 0.7 
HS 40 Rubber and articles thereof  2 2.4 2.2 
HS 38 Miscellaneous chemical products  2 2.4 1.9 
HS 63 Other made -up textile articles  1 1.2 1.9 
Essential commodities, raw materials and capital goods (5%)  
[Total: 2,146 tariff lines]  1,487  69.3 n.a. 
HS 84 Boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances  436 20.3 80.1 
HS 29 Organic chemicals  342 15.9 99.7 
HS 28 Inorganic chemicals  165 7.7 98.8 
HS 72  Iron and steel  119 5.5 66.9 
HS 85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof  108 5.0 37.1 
HS 90 Optical, photographic, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus  80 3.7 53.7 
HS 39 Plastics and articles thereof  65 3.0 45.8 
HS 87 Vehicles  64 3.0 40.5 
HS 25 Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and 
 cement  59 2.7 83.1 
HS 12 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit  49 2.3 90.7 
Intermediate products (10%) [Total: 1,373 tariff lines]  632 46.0 n.a. 
HS 03 Fish and crustaceans  93 6.8 47.0 
HS 38 Miscellaneous chemical products  76 5.5 71.7 
HS 85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof  74 5.4 25.4 
HS 84 Boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances  67 4.9 12.3 
HS 52 Cotton  63 4.6 46.3 
HS 55 Man -made staple fibres  62 4.5 56.4 
HS 87 Vehicles  62 4.5 39.2 
HS 48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of 
 paperboard  52 3.8 40.9 
HS 54 Man -made filaments; strip and the like of man -made textile materials  44 3.2 60.3 
HS 90 Optical, photographic, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus  39 2.8 26.2 
Consumer goods (20%) [Total: 2,165 tariff lines]  815 37.6 n.a. 
HS 62 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted  112 5.2 100.0  
HS 85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof  107 4.9 36.8 
HS 61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted  106 4.9 100.0  
HS 73 Articles of iron or steel  105 4.8 66.0 
HS 03 Fish and crustaceans  99 4.6 50.0 
HS 08 Edible fruit and nuts  68 3.1 97.1 
HS 07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers  64 3.0 82.1 
HS 63 Other made -up textile articles  52 2.4 96.3 
HS 20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants  52 2.4 65.8 
HS 70 Glass and glassware  50 2.3 64.9 
Specific goods for economic development (35%) [Total: 130 tariff 
lines]  124 95.4 n.a. 
HS 02 Meat and edible meat offal  50 38.5 75.8 
 HS 0207 Meat and edible offal, of the poultry, fresh, chilled or frozen  19 14.6  
 HS 0204 Meat of sheep or goats, fresh, chilled or frozen  9 6.9  
 HS 0206 Edible offal of bovine animals, etc. fresh, chilled or frozen  9 6.9  
 HS 0203 Meat of swine, fresh, chilled or frozen  6 4.6  
 HS 0201 Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled  3 2.3  
 HS 0202 Meat of bovine animals, frozen  3 2.3  
 HS 0210 Meat and edible meat offal, salted, in brine, dried or smoked  1 0.8  
HS 52 Cotton  17 13.1 12.5 
 HS 5208 Woven fabrics of cotton  5 3.8  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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   No. of 
TLsa % of 
each 
band  Share (%) 
of each 
HS-2 digit 
levelb 
 HS 5209 Woven fabrics of cotton  4 3.1  
 HS 5211 Woven fabrics of cotton  4 3.1  
 HS 5210 Woven fabrics of cotton  3 2.3  
 HS 5212 Other woven fabrics of cotton  1 0.8  
HS 16 Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans  12 9.2 27.3 
 HS 1602 Other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal or blood  10 7.7  
 HS 1601 Sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal or blood  2 1.5  
HS 34 Soap, organic surface -active agents, washing preparations  11 8.5 36.7 
 HS 3401 Soap; organic surface -active products and preparations for 
use as soap  6 4.6  
 HS 3402 Organic surface -active agents (other than soap)  5 3.8  
HS 18 Cocoa and cocoa preparations  9 6.9 45.0 
 HS 1806 Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa  7 5.4  
 HS 1805 Cocoa powder, not containing added sugar  2 1.5  
HS 04 Dairy produce  7 5.4 15.2 
 HS 0403 Buttermilk, curdled milk and cream, yogurt  4 3.1  
 HS 0407 Birds' eggs, in shell, fresh, preserved or cooked  3 2.3  
HS 15 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products  6 4.6 10.2 
 HS 1508 Groundnut oil and its fractions  2 1.5  
 HS 1511 Palm oil and its fractions  2 1.5  
 HS 1512 Sunflower -seed, safflower or cotton -seed oil and fractions  1 0.8  
 HS 1513 Coconut (copra), palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions  1 0.8  
HS 20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants  5 3.8 6.3 
 HS 2002 Tomatoes prepared or preserved  3 2.3  
 HS 2004 Other vegetables prepared or preserved, frozen  1 0.8  
 HS 2005 Other vegetables prepared or preserved, not frozen  1 0.8  
HS 19 Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastry cooks' products  4 3.1 16.0 
 HS 1905 Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers' wares  4 3.1  
HS 07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers  3 2.3 3.8 
 HS 0701 Potatoes, fresh or chilled  1 0.8  
 HS 0703 Onions, shallots, garlic, leeks and other alliaceous  1 0.8  
 HS 0710 Vegetables, frozen  1 0.8   
n.a. Not applicable.  
a The product groups (at the HS 2 -digit level) are ranked by (in descending order) by the number of 
tariff lines at 8 -digit level.   
b The Table presents product groups at an aggregated level (HS 2 -digit level) to illustrate the 
structure of the ECOWAS CET for each of the five bands. The column is an indicator, representing 
how many tariff lines at the 8 -digit level are allocate d to each band. For instance, some tariff lines at 
the 8-digit level under Chapter 31 (fertilizers) are allocated to "essential social commodities" (duty -
free), representing 65.2% of the tariff lines of Chapter 31. This implies that 34.8% of the chapter 31  
tariff lines (8 -digit level) are assigned to other bands.   
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on WTO IDB database.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
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  Table A3. 2 The Gambia's applied MFN tariff summary, 2010 and 201 6 
 2010  2016 
Simple 
average 
(%) Tariff 
range  
(%) Share of 
duty-
free 
lines  
(%)a Simple 
average 
(%) Tariff 
range  
(%) Share 
of 
duty-
free 
lines  
(%)a 
Total  14.1 0-20 15.1 12.3 0-35 1.4 
HS 01 -24 17.3 0-20 7.0 16.1 5-35 0.0 
HS 25 -97 13.5 0-20 16.4 11.4 0-35 1.8 
By WTO category        
WTO agricultural products  16.5 0-20 9.0 15.5 5-35 0.0 
Animals and products thereof  15.2 0-20 24.2 24.1 5-35 0.0 
Dairy products  12.5 5-20 0.0 16.0 5-35 0.0 
Fruit, vegetables, and plants  18.8 0-20 2.7 17.6 5-35 0.0 
Coffee, tea, and cocoa and cocoa 
preparations  19.2 10-20 0.0 14.2 5-35 0.0 
Cereals and preparations  17.9 0-20 6.4 13.6 5-35 0.0 
Oils seeds, fats, oil and their products  13.2 0-20 12.3 11.8 5-35 0.0 
Sugars and confectionary  15.6 5-20 0.0 13.5 5-35 0.0 
Beverages, spirits and tobacco  20.0 20.0 0.0 17.0 5-35 0.0 
Cotton  18.0 10-20 0.0 5.0 5.0 0.0 
Other agricultural products, n.e.s.  14.2 0-20 15.2 9.5 5-20 0.0 
WTO non -agricultural products  13.7 0-20 16.0 11.7 0-35 1.7 
Fish and fishery products  19.8 10-20 0.0 15.4 5-20 0.0 
Minerals and metals  12.9 0-20 8.4 11.7 0-20 1.7 
Chemicals and photographic supplies  10.3 0-20 22.2 8.0 0-35 3.8 
Wood, pulp, paper and furniture  17.5 0-20 2.4 11.5 0-20 4.8 
Textiles  15.9 0-20 0.3 16.3 0-35 0.3 
Clothing  20.0 20.0 0.0 20.0 20.0 0.0 
Leather, rubber, footwear and travel 
goods  18.6 5-20 0.0 12.8 0-20 1.0 
Non-electric machinery  6.3 0-20 64.9 7.1 5-20 0.0 
Electric machinery  17.4 0-20 4.1 11.2 0-20 0.7 
Transport equipment  14.0 0-20 24.8 8.6 0-20 1.4 
Non-agricultural products, n.e.s.  16.6 0-20 13.1 14.2 0-20 1.8 
Petroleum  18.3 0-20 8.7 7.9 0-10 8.3 
By ISIC sector        
ISIC 1 - Agriculture, hunting and 
fishing  15.5 0-20 17.2 11.9 5-35 0.0 
ISIC 2 - Mining and quarrying  7.5 0-20 8.2 5.1 0-10 1.0 
ISIC 3 - Manufacturing  14.1 0-20 15.1 12.4 0-35 1.6 
By stage of processing        
First stage of processing  14.3 0-20 12.4 10.4 0-35 0.2 
Semi-processed products  12.4 0-20 13.1 10.1 0-35 1.0 
Fully processed products  15.0 0-20 16.9 13.9 0-35 2.0 
a Share of duty -free lines in the total number of tariff lines of the product group.  
Note:  The 2010 tariff schedule is based on HS07 nomenclature consisting of 5,091  tariff lines (at the 8 -
digit tariff line level). T he 2017  tariff schedule is based on HS12 nomenclature consisting of 5,899 
tariff lines (at the 10 -digit tariff line level).  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on tariff information provided by authorities and WTO IDB 
database.  
  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
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  Table A3. 3 Tariff changes comparing the ECOWAS CET with the 2010 customs tariff  
 HS code and product description  ECOWAS CET (2017)  The 
Gambia 
tariff 
(2010)  0% 5% 10%  20%  35%  No. 
of 
TLsa Share 
(%) of 
each 
HS-2 
digit 
levelb Duty rate = 0%     40 701 68 27  836  
01 Live animals   13 25   38 100 
07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and 
tubers     4  4 5 
10 Cereals   2 4   6 21 
12 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits   31    31 57 
19 Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or 
milk  1    1 4 
27 Mineral fuels 1 28 2   31 51 
28 Inorganic chemicals   164 1 1  166 99 
30 Pharmaceutical products  9     9 26 
31 Fertilizers  15 8    23 100 
32 Tanning or dyeing extracts   6 4 1  11 19 
38 Miscellaneous chemical products   9 5 8  22 21 
41 Raw hides and skins  and leather   9    9 24 
48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper 
pulp, of paper or of paperboard  1     1 1 
49 Printed books, newspapers, other 
products of the printing industry  6     6 27 
69 Ceramic products   1    1 3 
73 Articles of iron or steel     1  1 1 
74 Copper and articles thereof   11    11 21 
76 Aluminium and articles thereof    1 4  5 11 
81 Other base metals; cermets; articles 
thereof   6  2  8 16 
83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal    4   4 10 
84 Machinery and mechanical appliances; 
parts thereof   329 19 6  354 65 
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and 
parts thereof   5 3   8 3 
86 Railway or tramway locomotives   23    23 100 
88 Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof   15    15 100 
90 Optical, photographic, medical or 
surgical instruments and apparatus  8 40    48 32 Duty rate = 5%    24 74 51 68 8 225  
04 Dairy produce   8 5 7 4 24 52 
07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and 
tubers     1  1 1 
11 Products of the milling industry; malt; 
starches; inulin; wheat gluten     4  4 11 
12 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits   4    4 7 
15 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and 
their cleavage products    2 8 4 14 24 
17 Sugars and sugar confectionery   1 2 6  9 45 
25 Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; 
plastering materials, lime and cement   45 3   48 68 
30 Pharmaceutical products  16     16 47 
32 Tanning or dyeing extracts    3   3 5 
33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, 
cosmetic or toilet preparations     1  1 3 
34 Soap, organic surface -active agents, 
washing preparations, etc .    1  1 3 
38 Miscellaneous chemical products    13   13 12 
39 Plastics and articles thereof    1 8  9 6 
40 Rubber and articles thereof   1    1 1 
48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper 
pulp, of paper or of paperboard    1 6  7 6 
49 Printed books, newspapers, other 
products of the printing industry  6   5  11 50 
56 Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special 
yarns   2  2  4 13 
69 Ceramic products   3    3 10 
70 Glass and glassware     3  3 4 
75 Nickel and articles thereof   6 5 7  18 100 
82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and   6 5  11 15 WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
- 84 - 
 
   HS code and product description  ECOWAS CET (2017)  The 
Gambia 
tariff 
(2010)  0% 5% 10%  20%  35%  No. 
of 
TLsa Share 
(%) of 
each 
HS-2 
digit 
levelb 
forks, of base metal  
84 Machinery and mechanical appliances; 
parts thereof   3 4   7 1 
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and 
parts thereof   1 6 3  10 3 
87 Vehicles  2   1  3 2 Duty rate = 10%    11 666 249 354 19 1,299   
09 Coffee, tea, maté and spices    2   2 3 
13 Lac; gums, resins and other vegetable 
saps and extracts   10    10 100 
15 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and 
their cleavage products    6 3  9 15 
16 Preparations of meat, of fish or of 
crustaceans     2  2 5 
20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts 
or other parts of plants    2  2 4 5 
23 Residues and waste from the food 
industries   1 22 1  24 100 
25 Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; 
plastering materials, lime and cement   14 3 6  23 32 
26 Ores, slag and ash   41    41 100 
27 Mineral fuels   7    7 11 
29 Organic chemicals   342 1   343 100 
30 Pharmaceutical products  9     9 26 
32 Tanning or dyeing extracts   12 1   13 22 
36 Explosives; pyrotechnic products; 
matches, etc.    1  1 11 
37 Photographic or cinematographic goods   4 1 29  34 100 
38 Miscellaneous chemical products    6   6 6 
40 Rubber and articles thereof   20    20 22 
44 Wood and articles of wood; wood 
charcoal   1 15 6  22 28 
45 Cork and articles of cork   3    3 38 
49 Printed books, newspapers, other 
products of the printing industry  1  2   3 14 
51 Wool, fine or coarse animal hair   18 7 13  38 100 
52 Cotton   3 63 48 17 131 96 
53 Other vegetable textile  fibres   4 3 4  11 46 
54 Man-made filaments    3 17  20 27 
55 Man-made staple fibres    14 45  59 54 
58 Special woven fabrics     4  4 10 
64 Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of 
such articles    1 2  3 6 
68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, etc.  2 3 30  35 67 
69 Ceramic products     6  6 20 
70 Glass and glassware    5 16  21 27 
72 Iron and steel   71 9 6  86 48 
73 Articles of iron or steel   18 17 49  84 53 
74 Copper and articles thereof   9 12 8  29 56 
76 Aluminium and articles thereof   12 12 10  34 72 
78 Lead and articles thereof   5 2   7 70 
79 Zinc and articles thereof   6 1 1  8 80 
80 Tin and articles thereof   3  1  4 80 
81 Other base metals; cermets; articles 
thereof   24 4 13  41 84 
84 Machinery and mechanical appliances; 
parts thereof   10 14   24 4 
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and 
parts thereof   17 6 14  37 13 
87 Vehicles  1 9 8 1  19 12 
90 Optical, photographic, medical or 
surgical instruments and apparatus    4 11  15 10 
97 Works of art, collectors' pieces and 
antiques     7  7 100 WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 85 - 
 
   HS code and product description  ECOWAS CET (2017)  The 
Gambia 
tariff 
(2010)  0% 5% 10%  20%  35%  No. 
of 
TLsa Share 
(%) of 
each 
HS-2 
digit 
levelb Duty rate = 20%    10 705 1,005  1,716  103 3,539   
02 Meat and edible meat offal     16 50 66 100 
03 Fish and crustaceans   6 93 99  198 100 
04 Dairy produce   4  15 3 22 48 
05 Products of animal origin, n .e.s.  16    16 100 
06 Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots 
and the like   7  9  16 100 
07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and 
tubers   11  59 3 73 94 
08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit 
or melons   2  68  70 100 
09 Coffee, tea, maté and spices    35 35  70 97 
10 Cereals   22    22 79 
11 Products of the milling industry; malt; 
starches; inulin; wheat gluten   3 23 8  34 89 
12 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits   14 5   19 35 
14 Vegetable plaiting materials   6    6 100 
15 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and 
their cleavage products   5 23 6 2 36 61 
16 Preparations of meat, of fish or of 
crustaceans     30 12 42 95 
17 Sugars and sugar confectionery   7 2  2 11 55 
18 Cocoa and cocoa preparations   5 6  9 20 100 
19 Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or 
milk  3 2 15 4 24 96 
20 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts 
or other parts of plants    20 52 3 75 95 
21 Miscellaneous edible preparations   5 5 16 1 27 100 
22 Beverages, spirits and vinegar    2 26 3 31 100 
24 Tobacco and manufactured tobacco 
substitutes   3 2 6  11 100 
27 Mineral fuels  2 7 14   23 38 
28 Inorganic chemicals   1    1 1 
32 Tanning or dyeing extracts   8 8 15  31 53 
33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, 
cosmetic or toilet preparations    12 20  32 97 
34 Soap, organic surface -active agents, 
washing preparations, etc.   7 11 11 29 97 
35 Albuminoidal substances; modified 
starches; glues; enzymes   2 12 1  15 100 
36 Explosives; pyrotechnic products; 
matches, etc.  4  4  8 89 
38 Miscellaneous chemical products  2 11 52   65 61 
39 Plastics and articles thereof   65 32 36  133 94 
40 Rubber and articles thereof  2 10 31 28  71 77 
41 Raw hides and skins and leather    28   28 76 
42 Articles of leather    9 24  33 100 
43 Furskins and artificial  fur; manufactures 
thereof   5 5 2  12 100 
44 Wood and articles of wood; wood 
charcoal   16 24 16  56 72 
45 Cork and articles of cork   1 2 2  5 63 
46 Manufactures of straw, of esparto or of 
other plaiting materials     12  12 100 
47 Pulp of wood or of  other fibrous 
cellulosic material   21    21 100 
48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper 
pulp, of paper or of paperboard   37 51 31  119 94 
49 Printed books, newspapers, other 
products of the printing industry     2  2 9 
50 Silk  3 2 4  9 100 
52 Cotton   5    5 4 
53 Other vegetable textile fibres   5 8   13 54 
54 Man-made filaments   1 41 11  53 73 
55 Man-made staple fibres   1 48 2  51 46 
56 Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special 
yarns    10 17  27 87 WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
- 86 - 
 
   HS code and product description  ECOWAS CET (2017)  The 
Gambia 
tariff 
(2010)  0% 5% 10%  20%  35%  No. 
of 
TLsa Share 
(%) of 
each 
HS-2 
digit 
levelb 
57 Carpets and other textile floor 
coverings     21  21 100 
58 Special woven fabrics     35  35 90 
59 Impregnated, coated, covered or 
laminated textile fabrics    10 14  24 100 
60 Knitted or crocheted fabrics     43  43 100 
61 Articles of apparel and clothing 
accessories, knitted or crocheted     106  106 100 
62 Articles of apparel and clothing 
accessories, not knitted or crocheted     112  112 100 
63 Other made -up textile articles  1 1  52  54 100 
64 Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of 
such articles    24 23  47 94 
65 Headgear and parts thereof    4 5  9 100 
66 Umbrellas, sun umbrellas, walking 
sticks, etc.    2 4  6 100 
67 Prepared feathers and down and 
articles made of feathers or of down     8  8 100 
68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, etc.    11 6  17 33 
69 Ceramic products     20  20 67 
70 Glass and glassware   4 18 31  53 69 
71 Natural or cultured pearls, precious or 
semi-precious stones  1 19 20 14  54 100 
72 Iron and steel   48 15 29  92 52 
73 Articles of iron or steel   9 10 55  74 47 
74 Copper and articles thereof     12  12 23 
76 Aluminium and articles thereof     8  8 17 
78 Lead and articles thereof   1  2  3 30 
79 Zinc and articles thereof     2  2 20 
80 Tin and articles thereof     1  1 20 
82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and 
forks, of  base metal    33 29  62 85 
83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal    4 31  35 90 
84 Machinery and mechanical appliances; 
parts thereof   94 30 35  159 29 
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and 
parts thereof  2 85 59 90  236 81 
87 Vehicles   55 54 27  136 86 
89 Ships, boats and floating structures   20 3 4  27 100 
90 Optical, photographic, medical or 
surgical instruments and apparatus   40 35 11  86 58 
91 Clocks and watches and parts thereof    3 46  49 100 
92 Musical instruments; parts and 
accessories of such articles    17   17 100 
93 Arms and ammunition; parts and 
accessories thereof    31 29  60 100 
94 Furniture; bedding, mattresses, 
mattress supports, etc.   2 6 36  44 100 
95 Toys, games and sports requisites; 
parts and accessories thereof   4  27  31 100 
96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles   1 2 50  53 100 
a The number of tariff lines at the 8 -digit level by each HS -2 digit level.  
b Table A3.3  presents product groups at a very aggregated level (i.e. the 2 -digit level) in order to 
illustrate tariff changes comparing the ECOWAS CET with the 2010 customs tariff by each five -band 
category. The column is an indicator, representing how many tariff lines at the 8 -digit level are 
allocated in each five -band category. For instance, 4 tariff lines at the 8 -digit level under Chapter 07 
are shifted from a duty-free rate to 20%, representing 5% as a share in the total number of tariff 
lines of the Chapter 07. This implies that other tariff lines at the 8 -digit tariff line level under Chapter 
07 are assigned in other categories.   
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates, based on tariff information provided by the authorities and WTO IDB 
database.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 87 - 
 
  Table A3. 4 Priority sectors for investment, 2017   
Sector   
Agriculture   all crops;  
 dairy production, poultry, and meat processing;  
 floriculture and horticulture;  
 agri-processing and agri -business (production and marketing of agricultural 
inputs);  
 forestry  
Fishery   aquaculture;  
 fish and shrimp farming;  
 fishing and industrial scale fish processing  
Tourism   eco-tourism;  
 national heritage;  
 up-country tourism (motels, tourist camps, sport fishing, river sports or 
cruising); development of four and five star hotels, integrated resorts, and 
marinas  
Forestry   development of private or community forest parks or agri -forestry plantations;  
 forestry production and transformation, and wild fruit preservation  
Manufacturing   assembly and packaging;  
 processing;  
 foundry and forging;  
 light pharmaceuticals and cosmetics  
Energy   electricity generation, transmission, and distribution;  
 renewable energy resources (solar, wind, hydro, and biochemical);  
 liquefied petroleum gases  
Mineral exploration 
and exploitation   petroleum exploration as defined in the Petroleum Act;  
 mining of precious stones and others as defined in the Mines and Quarries Act  
Financial services   investment banks;  
 housing finance institutions  
Other services   health and veterinary clinics;  
 river and air transportation and cargo services;  
 information communication technology except GSM  
Source:  Schedule II, the Gambia Investment & Export Promotion Agency Act.  
  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
- 88 - 
 
  Table A3. 5 State -owned enterprises, 2017  
Sector  Enterprise  
Transport  Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)  
 Gambia Ports Authority & Ferry Services (GPA)     
 Gambia International Airlines (GIA)  
Communications  Gambia Telecommunications Company (GAMTEL)  
 Gambia Telecommunications Cellular Company (GAMCEL)  
 The Gambia Submarine Cable Company (49% owned by the State ) 
 Gambia Postal Services (GAMPOST)  
 Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS)  
 Gambia Printing and Publishing Corporation (GPPC)  
Agriculture  National Food Security Processing and Marketing Corporation (NFSPMC)  
Energy and utility  National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC)  
 Gambia National  Petroleum Company (GNPC)  
Services  Assets Management and Recovery Corporation (AMRC)  
 Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC)  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  WT/TPR/S/ 365/Rev.1  • The Gambia  
 
- 89 - 
 
  Table A4. 1 Budget allocations for service units under the Ministry of Agriculture, 2016  
Service unit  Annual budget  
(D '000) % share  
Director General's office  18,010  6.1 
Department of livestock services  57,068  19.5 
Technical service units  
Agri-business  3,108  1.1 
Planning services  6,712  2.3 
Communication extension education  920 0.0 
Agriculture engineering  5,850  2.0 
Plant protection  5,525  1.9 
Horticulture services  26,717  9.1 
Food technology  4,569  1.6 
Soil water management  3,348  1.1 
The Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency  18,559  6.3 
National Agriculture Research Institute  9,828  3.4 
Urban and Regional Agricultural Directorates (RAD)  
RAD-Urban Agriculture  7,768  2.7 
RAD-West Coast region  9,343  3.2 
RAD-Central River region South  11,706  4.0 
RAD-Lower River region  24,847  8.5 
RAD-Central River region North  11,123  3.8 
RAD-North Bank region  8,758  3.0 
RAD-UPPER River region  60,044  20.5 
Global budget  292,883  100 
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.   
  WT/TPR/S/365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
- 90 - Table A4. 2 The Gambia's main traded agricultural products (excluding re -exports) by HS 4 -digit level, 2010 -15 
 Value (US$ in million)  Volume (1,000 tonnes)  
  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
Exports (excluding re-exports)  22.2 5.6 7.8 8.9 6.0 12.0 47.6 29.7 43.0 73.7 84.4 .. 
HS 0801 Brazil nuts and cashew nuts               
  World  3.4 2.1 3.0 5.3 4.9 2.7 21.4 25.8 38.9 66.0 78.4 186.0  
  1. India  3.0 2.0 2.8 4.4 4.3 2.3 18.2 24.5 36.7 55.5 71.3 180.8  
  2. Viet Nam  0 0.0 0.1 0.7 0.2 0.3 0 0.1 1.3 7.9 3.3 3.0 
HS 1202 Groundnuts, not roasted or otherwise cooked               
  World  7.7 1.9 1.6 2.6 0.5 4.3 9.9 2.4 1.4 4.5 0.7 983.6  
  1. Viet Nam  0 0.0 0 1.2 0 1.8 0 0.0 0 2.2 0 779.8  
  2. EU -28 7.5 1.9 1.0 0.6 0.5 1.2 9.6 2.1 1.0 0.4 0.7 2.1 
HS 1508 Groundnut oil and its fractions               
  World  8.6 1.5 3.1 0 0 4.7 7.7 0.0 2.5 0 0 5.4 
  1. EU -28 6.7 1.5 3.1 0 0 4.6 6.2 0.0 2.2 0 0 4.9 
Imports  102.3  111.7  126.2  130.7  158.5  147.0  354.7  413.6  368.0  327.5  459.1  .. 
HS 1006 Rice               
  World  24.0 35.9 44.2 31.7 46.4 41.1 88.2 143.8  91.3 73.0 139.9  .. 
  1. India  0.5 0.8 3.4 7.9 9.7 3.5 2.0 2.7 12.2 29.4 38.4 80.0 
  2. Viet Nam  0.0 0.0 0.2 0 0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.9 0 0 0.3 
HS 1515 Other fixed  vegetable fats and oils and their 
fractions; linseed (other than crude)               
  World  17.8 16.7 18.0 16.6 27.3 19.9 30.9 36.8 41.5 37.6 53.6 37.1 
  1. Malaysia  5.5 10.9 2.3 3.8 15.8 10.3 10.0 24.3 5.1 7.7 30.8 20.0 
  2. Indonesia  0.4 3.2 13.5 10.3 8.8 5.4 0.8 6.9 31.1 23.8 17.1 9.5 
  3. India  5.4 0.5 0.4 0.9 1.2 0.6 9.4 1.2 1.2 2.7 3.1 1.0 
HS 1701 Cane or beet sugar               
  World  16.0 14.7 16.6 27.2 26.2 28.8 85.5 71.7 65.0 70.1 119.8  113.3  
  1. Brazil  13.3 13.8 14.3 26.6 25.6 27.9 73.9 67.4 56.5 68.5 118.2  110.5  
HS 1001 Wheat and meslin               
  World  0.0 0.0 0.0 5.2 22.6 12.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.3 30.7 46.1 
  1. EU -28 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.7 14.9 6.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 20.0 26.0 
  2. Russian Federation  0 0 0 0 6.2 6.6 0 0 0 0 9.3 20.1 
HS 0207 Meat and edible offal, of the poultry, fresh, chilled or 
frozen               
  World  1.4 1.8 1.6 0.8 2.4 4.9 4.9 6.5 8.1 3.9 9.5 12.7 
  1. United States  0.6 1.2 1.0 0.3 1.0 3.0 2.4 4.0 5.4 1.4 4.2 8.0 
  2. Brazil  0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 1.0 1.0 1.2 2.1 1.4 2.0 3.5 2.3 
HS 0401 Milk and cream, not containing added sugar               
  World  1.4 1.5 1.9 2.4 2.4 3.5 4.4 5.4 7.9 10.9 11.3 15.3 
  1. Malaysia  0.1 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.4 1.1 0.3 0.6 2.0 2.9 2.6 5.4 
  2. United Arab Emirates  0.1 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.2 2.0 2.0 1.8 
  3. EU -28 0.4 0.3 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.3 1.0 0.9 2.2 2.1 3.0 1.1  
  WT/TPR/S/365/Rev.1 • The Gambia  
 
- 91 -  Value (US$ in million)  Volume (1,000 tonnes)  
  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  
HS 0402 Milk and cream, containing added sugar               
  World  3.6 3.6 3.8 1.9 3.3 2.3 9.9 11.2 12.4 6.0 10.7 6.9 
  1. EU -28 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.1 1.7 0.6 2.6 3.5 3.3 2.8 4.7 1.2 
  2. Malaysia  0.3 0.5 0.9 0.3 0.5 0.3 1.2 2.3 4.1 1.6 2.7 1.4 
  3. United Arab Emirates  0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.8 0.2 1.0 0.4 
HS 1101 Wheat or meslin flour               
  World  11.1 11.2 14.1 18.7 1.5 9.6 64.4 64.4 65.0 46.0 4.9 12.3 
  1. EU -28 2.7 2.3 1.8 3.0 1.5 6.7 14.5 13.4 8.1 2.1 4.9 12.3 
.. Not available.  
Note:  0.0 refers to >0 and <0.05.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on UNSD Comtrade database; and data provided by the authorities of The Gambia.  
 
__________