Gambia infrastructure and economic development

President Adama Barrow has initiated several programs focused on economic empowerment and infrastructure improvements across The Gambia.

In early October, the administration announced financial commitments to support women’s economic empowerment through the Women’s Enterprise Fund. This included the distribution of D1.5 million to 15 women’s groups in the North Bank Region and a pledge of D50 million for farmers and entrepreneurs in the Central River Region North. Concurrently, the government moved to expand electricity access to communities in the Central River Region North and proposed new port and road projects to revive the economy of Kaur.

By late October, the focus shifted toward the inauguration of completed road projects. In the Upper River Region, a 13.9-kilometer concrete road was opened to link Numuyel, Demba Kunda, Manneh Kunda, and Basse, aiming to improve safety and year-round access to essential services. In the Central River Region, a 20.5-kilometer project implemented by the National Roads Authority connected numerous communities, including Choya and Missera, to reduce travel times and vehicle maintenance costs.

On October 26, President Barrow inaugurated over 104 kilometers of new road infrastructure across the Upper River and Lower River Regions. This included a 91-kilometer network in Kiang Kabada that links 29 communities to the national road network and the Trans-Gambia corridor, providing improved access toward the Senegalese border. These projects, built to international standards, feature culverts and solar-powered streetlights. President Barrow stated the infrastructure is intended to ensure development is shared across the country.