The World Bank has approved a US$45 million IDA grant to help Gambia strengthen domestic revenue collection, support private sector growth and build resilience to climate shocks, the Bank said has said.
Ephrem Niyongabo, the Bank’s economist and task team leader, said the country was “on a good growth trajectory” despite recent external shocks, but warned that “growth remains fragile” due to structural weaknesses and climate vulnerability.
The grant marks the Bank’s first development policy operation for Gambia, built around three reform pillars. The first aims to broaden the tax base and curb tax exemptions to boost government revenues. The second targets private-sector-led growth by easing bottlenecks in sectors such as energy, telecoms and the business environment while expanding human capital opportunities, especially for women and youth.
The third focuses on strengthening climate governance through a clearer legal and institutional framework for climate action and coastal zone management.
Franklin Mutahakana, the Bank’s resident representative in Banjul, said the financing will help the government “build fiscal space, facilitate the development of key sectors” and improve access to essential services while supporting youth and women employment and environmental sustainability.
The program aligns with the government’s 2023–27 Recovery-Focused National Development Plan and is aimed at advancing a greener, more resilient and inclusive economy.
