Gambia - ConstructionGambia - Construction

Overview

The construction sector accounts for 6.1 percent of GDP.  The construction sector comprises infrastructure, residential, and business structures.  Given the small size of the manufacturing sector, virtually all construction materials are imported.  These materials include (but are not limited to) cement, steel, tiles, plumping materials, electrical materials, and major household appliances.  The market for materials for small-scale construction projects is dominated by imports from China and India.  The GOTG is currently considering the drafting of a National Public Buildings and Facilities Policy.

Table 3. The Gambia Construction Sector Trade Data 2014 – 2017, value (US $)

	2014	2015	2016	2017 (Estimated)
Total Local Production	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Total Exports	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Total Imports	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Imports from the US	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Total Market Size	45,320	49,115	48,730	46,035
Exchange Rates: 1USD	40	42	44	45

(total market size = (total local production + imports) - exports)
Source: The World Bank
Source (exchange rate data): Central Bank of The Gambia

Leading Sub-Sectors

The best opportunities for U.S. exports involve major infrastructure projects funded by multilateral and bilateral development agencies. 
Airport facilities: The NDP seeks to increase the operational capacity of air transport facilities from 326,757 to 500,000 persons.
Road Construction: The NDP also seeks to increase the percentage of the nationwide primary road network that is in paved condition from 80 percent to 100 percent.

Opportunities

Beyond supplying materials for major construction projects in the short term, other opportunities include technical studies and architectural and feasibility studies for major construction projects, which fall in the medium term. Investment in construction grew 13% from 2016 to 2017.  In the National Development Plan (NDP) the GOTG has specified that it targets the construction of 514 km of feeder roads in the rural areas; the expansion of the Port of Banjul, and the building of a dry port in the Basse region.

Web Resources

The Ministry of Transport Works and Infrastructure
Gamworks (Gambia Construction Agency)
 

 

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