Overview of best prospect sectors, major infrastructure projects, significant government procurements and business opportunities.
Last Published: 4/12/2019

Despite its small market size, many sectors still present opportunities for prospective investors.  These opportunities tend to lie outside the framework of the National Development Plan (2018-2021), which lays out a blueprint to stablize the economy and stimulate medium term growth.  One general area that can attract foreign investment is mobile technologies, given the 90 percent mobile phone penetration rate and a steady increase in internet access, with 3G and 4G technologies widely available. The heavy presence of Gambians on social media also presents opportunities for marketing and advertising firms.

In the energy sector, potential investment opportunities in electricity generation are substantial, given projected growth in demand.  An additional 40 megawatt (MW) of electricity is needed just to meet current national demand, which is expected to reach 200 MW by 2025.  The GOTG has introduced a temporary measure to provide this needed 40 megawatt (MW) via a Turkish powership that is docked at the port of Banjul.  Supply side constraints have created a high demand for quality generators and energy storage equipment such as inverters and renewable energy devices.  Once the present gaps in transmission lines are addressed, investment opportunities in electricity generation will be significant, particularly in solar and wind energy.  Biofuels also present another investment opportunity for energy sector investors. 

Within the construction sector, currently a significant portion of building materials are sourced from China and India, but an increasing demand for higher quality materials and equipment provides market opportunities for countries producing better quality materials.

The agricultural sector depends almost exclusively on imports for machinery and irrigation equipment.  Currently, the sector is highly seasonal but could be year-round with expanded irrigation capacity.  Demand for efficient post-harvest storage is increasing, given, among other things, a shift towards perishable horticultural produce. 
The Gambia is becoming increasingly urban. The urbanization rate is 60 per cent, and it is increasing at a rate of approximately seven-tenths of a percentage point annually.  This has led to a high demand for processed food.  Imported U.S. rice is already widely consumed, and the market for other food items such as processed dairy produce, other cereals, and animal produce continues to expand.
 

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