Gambia reports trade gains but potential untapped
The Gambia and LDC Group saw export earnings rise, but primary products still dominate.
The global trading system has delivered measurable gains for The Gambia, including market access, export earnings, economic activity, and jobs, according to Ambassador Muhammadou M.O. Kah. Speaking in Geneva on October 29, 2026, on behalf of Trade Minister Mod Ceesay, Kah stated that trade is a foreign-exchange lifeline for The Gambia, with merchandise exports reaching USD 407 million and commercial services exports USD 479 million in 2025.
Tourism and travel alone accounted for 91.6 per cent of The Gambia's services exports in 2024, highlighting the need for diversification and value addition. Ambassador Kah also noted that regional integration, through the OMVG interconnection, has provided The Gambia with lower-cost electricity from Guinea, saving its utility, NAWEC, an estimated 42 per cent and helping it return to profitability. For the wider LDC Group, merchandise exports rose to USD 313 billion in 2025, and commercial services exports reached USD 53.1 billion.
Despite these gains, primary products still accounted for 53 per cent of LDC merchandise exports in 2025, with 10 exporters generating 71 per cent of the total. Ambassador Kah stressed that market access alone is insufficient, and productive capacity, infrastructure, standards, and competitiveness are crucial. He outlined priorities for The Gambia and other LDCs, including value addition in agro-processing and fisheries, climate-resilient sectors, and green and digital industries.
Why it mattersThe Gambia's economy and job creation are directly impacted by its trade performance and efforts to diversify beyond primary products.