The Gambia

Location

• Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
• almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the African mainland

Population

Notable Population Centers

City	Population	Note
Serekunda	340,000
Brikama	97,233
Bununka Kunda	66,449
Sukuta	56,472
Talinding	48,687
Faji Kunda	45,757
Bakau	43,098
Banjul	37,274	Capital
Nema Kunku	34,390
Farafenni	32,883

Size

• 4,363 square miles
• 11,300 square kilometers
• slightly less than twice the size of Delaware

History

In the 10th century, Muslim merchants established some of The Gambia’s earliest large settlements as trans-Saharan trade hubs. These settlements eventually grew into major export centers sending slaves, gold, and ivory across the Sahara. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, European colonial powers began establishing trade with The Gambia. In 1664, the United Kingdom established a colony in The Gambia focused on exporting enslaved people across the Atlantic. During the roughly 300 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the UK and other European powers may have exported as many as 3 million people from The Gambia. The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed the short-lived confederation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1994, Yahya JAMMEH led a military coup overthrowing the president and banning political activity. He subsequently won every presidential election until 2016, when he lost to Adama BARROW, who headed an opposition coalition during free and fair elections. BARROW won reelection in 2021. The Gambia is the only member of the Economic Community of West African States that does not have presidential term limits. Since the 2016 election, The Gambia and the US have enjoyed improved relations. US assistance to the country has supported democracy-strengthening activities, capacity building, economic development, and security sector education and training programs.

Climate

tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)

Terrain

flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills

Languages

English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

Religions

Muslim 96.4%, Christian 3.5%, other or none 0.1% (2019-20 est.)

Government

presidential republic

• Constitution: history: previous 1965 (Independence Act), 1970; latest adopted 8 April 1996, approved by referendum 8 August 1996, effective 16 January 1997amendment process: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the Assembly membership in each of several readings and approval by the president of the republic; a referendum is required for amendments affecting national sovereignty, fundamental rights and freedoms, government structures and authorities, taxation, and public funding; passage by referendum requires participation of at least 50% of eligible voters and approval by at least 75% of votes castnote: in 2024, The Gambian government announced its commitment to adopting a new constitution 
• Political Parties and Leaders: n/a
• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
• Legal System: mixed system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law
• Executive Branch: chief of state: President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2022)head of government: Vice President Mohammed JALLOW (since 23 February 2024)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelection/appointment process: president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); vice president appointed by the presidentmost recent election date: 4 December 2021election results: 2021: Adama BARROW reelected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW (NPP) 53.2%, Ousainou DARBOE (UDP) 27.7%, Mamma KANDEH (GDC) 12.3%, other 6.8%2016: Adama BARROW elected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW (Coalition 2016) 43.3%, Yahya JAMMEH (APRC) 39.6%, Mamma KANDEH (GDC) 17.1%expected date of next election: 2026
• Judicial Branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court of The Gambia (consists of the chief justice and 6 justices; court sessions held with 5 justices)judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, a 6-member independent body of high-level judicial officials, a presidential appointee, and a National Assembly appointee; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement at age 75subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Special Criminal Court; Khadis or Muslim courts; district tribunals; magistrates courts; cadi courts
• Legislative Branch: legislature name: National Assemblylegislative structure: unicameralnumber of seats: 58 (53 directly elected; 5 appointed)electoral system: plurality/majorityscope of elections: full renewalterm in office: 5 yearsmost recent election date: 4/9/2022parties elected and seats per party: National People's Party (NPP) (18); United Democratic Party (UDP) (15); National Reconciliation Party (NRP) (4); Independents (12); Other (4)percentage of women in chamber: 8.6%expected date of next election: April 2027

Demographic Profile

n/a

Economy

• low-income West African economy; agriculture-dominant; high poverty rate; heightened inflation; dependent on foreign assistance and remittances; structural reforms conditioned by IMF Extended Credit Facility program
• Budget: revenues: $308.887 million (2018 est.)expenditures: $221.137 million (2018 est.)note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
• Credit Rating: n/a
• Natural Resources: fish, clay, silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon
• Industries: peanuts, fish, hides, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing
• Agricultural Products: rice, groundnuts, milk, millet, oil palm fruit, maize, vegetables, cassava, fruits, sorghum (2023)note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
• Land Use: agricultural land: 62.6% (2022 est.)arable land: 43.5% (2022 est.)permanent crops: 0.7% (2022 est.)permanent pasture: 18.5% (2022 est.)forest: 22.8% (2022 est.)other: 14.5% (2022 est.)
• Labor Force by Occupation: n/a
• Imports
• Imported Commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cotton fabric, iron alloys, rice (2023)note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
• Import Partners: Kazakhstan 26%, China 18%, Senegal 8%, India 7%, Brazil 4% (2023)note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
• Exports
• Exported Commodities: packaged medicine, cars, harvesting machinery, refined petroleum, trailers (2023)note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
• Export Partners: Kazakhstan 92%, Guinea-Bissau 2%, China 1%, India 1%, Greece 1% (2023)note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports