Invest in Agribusiness in The Gambia
The Gambia boasts highly fertile lands, a variety of available sites, cost effective labor and attractive sectoral opportunities for the production of field crops, horticultural crops, poultry and livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, and variety of agriculture inputs. A wide variety of incentives are also available for projects in the agribusiness sector.
Recent Announcement of USD 40 million GIRAV Agribusiness Project funded by the World Bank
In February 2022 the World Bank approved a USD 40 million project to support the Agribusiness sector in The Gambia. The Inclusive and Resilient of Agricultural Value Chain Development (GIRAV) project will have a duration of 5 years and seeks to promote private investment throughout the Agribusiness value chain to improve the business climate. The overall objective of the project is to promote the development of inclusive, resilient, and competitive agricultural value chains, focusing on smallholder farmers and agribusinesses in The Gambia.
Top 6 Reasons: Why Investors Should Choose The Gambia for Agribusiness
Strong Demand Outlook
With a steady growing population (3% p.a.), rapid urbanization, growing middle class and increasing tourism – The Gambia presents itself as a compelling destination for agricultural investments with over 550,000 hectares of arable land and plentiful rainfall.
Attractive Sectoral Opportunities
The Gambia has promising sectoral opportunities for investors across the
agricultural value chain.
The top sectoral opportunities for investments include field crops, horticultural crops, poultry & livestock, fisheries and agricultural inputs.
Stable Business & Agribusiness Policy Climate
The Gambia has strong macro-economic fundamentals and a liberal market-based economy.
The Gambia also offers a variety of incentives for investors in the Agribusiness sector.
Preferential Market Access
The Gambia continues to benefit from sub-regional re-export trade as industries profit from the country’s liberal trade policies and strategic port location.
The country enjoys preferential market access to key markets such as the European Union, USA, ECOWAS, AGOA, AfCFTA and OIC.
Skilled & Cost Effective Labor
The Gambian workforce is one of the country’s strongest assets, spurring considerable enthusiasm among businesspeople, both foreign and domestic.
The Gambia has an estimated labor force of 774,000 people.
Available Land & Infrastructure
The Government of The Gambia has already made significant investments to improve infrastructure and is committed to continue doing so, as detailed in the National Export Strategy.
Over the past decade, the total length of road has increased considerably coupled with investments in the energy arena and a $14m investment to renovate the country’s airport.
The Gambia also has a variety of fertile land well suited for agricultural production.
Snapshot of the Agribusiness Sector in The Gambia
79%
of Gambians are employed by the agribusiness sector
30%
contribution of the agribusinessl sector towards GDP
$400m
value added by the agribusiness sector1
550k ha
of arable land mass
1096mm
of average annual precipitation
85%
of export earnings is derived from agricultural exports
50%
of food needs are met by current agricultural production
Source: Knoema, World Bank, GIEPA
Note: 1. Includes forestry & fishing
