History Country Brief last updated Sept 2007 
The Republic of The Gambia on the west coast of Africa is located on two banks of the River Gambia. With a population of about 1.5 million people, it is the smallest country on the African continent and ranks 155 of 177 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index. The Gambia became independent in 1965. A military takeover in July 1994 interrupted the country's democratic process, and it was not until early 1997 that, following presidential elections, the country returned to constitutional rule. Economic/political context In September 2006, the incumbent Yahya Jammeh, won the presidential elections. Parliamentary elections took place in January 2007. In November 2006, the Government finalized the second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP II) for 2007-2011. The PRSP II updates the Strategy for Poverty Alleviation II (SPA II) for 2003-2005, The Gambia’s first PRS. Overall, growth has been robust over the past decade. Economic developments are encouraging. The real GDP growth recovered from a drought-induced decline in 2002, to average about 6 percent a year during 2003-2006. Foreign direct investment in 2003-2005 averaged more than 10 percent of GDP. The IMF has approved a new PRGF. Development picture/donor coordination The government has been working with several development partners. Apart from the International Development Association (IDA), the country's largest development partners are the IMF, the European Union, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Kingdom (DFID), and agencies of the United Nations family. The government's PRSP was presented to donors during the Sixth Donor Round Table Conference in Geneva in September 2002, sponsored by UNDP. The next Round Table is planned for November 2007 in Geneva. The decision point under the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative was reached in December 2000. With continued improvements in policy performance, the country could reach the HIPC Completion Point by December 2007. The World Bank Group’s role The World Bank, through the International Development Association (IDA), is helping The Gambia to establish a sound macroeconomic and sectoral environment conducive to economic growth, and to develop the economic and social infrastructure and human resources. A Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for FY03–05 was approved in March 2003 by the Bank's Board of Executive Directors, endorsing the support IDA is providing to the priorities established by The Gambia's PRSP. A new CAS for the period 2008-2011 is being prepared for Board presentation before the end of 2007. The Third Education Project, Phase 2, was approved in June 2006, and the Community-Driven Development project was approved in August 2006. As of September 2007, IDA had approved 31 projects for The Gambia totaling about US$296 million equivalent. The current portfolio consists of five projects totaling US$52.9 million equivalent: (a) Capacity Building for Economic Management, (b) Gateway, (c) Africa Emergency Locust, (d) Third Education, Phase 2, and (e) Community-Driven Development. An additional financing for the Capacity Building for Economic Management is under preparation. Analytical work in FY08-09 includes: (a) Civil service reform and capacity assessment, (b) Poverty assessment, (c) Investment climate assessment, and (d) Country Financial Accountability Assessment. Based on previous poor performance of projects in the Gambia, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) strategy is based on a selective approach focused on (i) enhancing the capacity of local financial institutions to improve the access to finance of their existing and potential SME clients; (ii) supporting capacity building program for SMEs; and (iii) improving investment climate. In this connection, PEP Africa and the Gambian Chamber of Commerce have jointly developed a training program for SME clients of a local start-up microfinance institution and the first round of participants to the training program graduated beginning of September 2007. A potential financing for the concerned microfinance institution is under consideration. In addition, IFC is in the process of implementing an electronic market place to facilitate the access of small and medium size hotels to their clients internationally. A private sector operator has been selected and trained. The project will go live end of October. Participating hotels will benefit from general business capacity building assistance through SME EDI. Upcoming programs/projects in The Gambia consist of the Global Trade Facility Program for two commercial banks and the Africa Micro, Small & Medium size enterprises (Africa MSME) program. As of June 30, 2007, IFC’s portfolio stood at US$ 0.20 Million. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) does not have any exposure in the Gambia and, to date, has not received any requests for investment support in the country. The Gambia is not a World Bank Institute (WBI) focus country and is not an active participant in WBI programs. Contacts Mr. Madani M. Tall
Country Director (based in Dakar, Senegal)
Tel: (221) 849-50-00
Fax: (221) 849 50 27
E-MAIL: Mtall@worldbank.org Mr. Iradj Alikhani
Country Program Coordinator
Tel: (202) 458-0345
Fax: (202) 473-5450
E-MAIL: Ialikhani@worldbank.org Mr. Hoon Sahib Soh
Senior Economist
Tel: (202) 473-2584
Fax: (202) 473-8136
E-MAIL: Hsoh@worldbank.org Ms. Françoise Perrot
Senior Operations Officer
Tel: (202) 473-4465
Fax: (202) 473-5450
E-MAIL: Fperrot@worldbank.org |
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