The Gambia National Development Plan

(2018-2021)

Delivering good governance and accountability, social

cohesion, and national reconciliation and a revitalized and
transformed economy for the wellbeing of all Gambians

An abridged version

Know and take ownership of your

National Development Plan
(NDP)!!!

January 2018
 Contents

Foreword by His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the

Republic of The Gambia 2

Where are we coming from? – The Context 4

What is our Vision and Goal? 7

What are our priorities? 8

How will the Plan be implemented? 22

How do we know we are making progress? 24

What does the plan cost and how will we resource it? 27

What is your role in realizing the plan, and what does it mean
for you? 29

Annex1: Outcomes and Results of the Eight Strategic Priorities of

The Gambia National Development Plan (2018-2021) 31

Annex 2: Outcomes and Results of the Seven Critical Enablers of

The Gambia National Development Plan (2018-2021) 38

1
 Foreword by His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the
Republic of The Gambia
On 2nd December 2016, Gambians with great
courage, determination and dignity decided
to take back their country following 22 years
of dictatorship. During this period, the abuse
of power and total disregard for our
constitution, the rule of law and respect for
fundamental human rights of citizens reigned
supreme. This historic decision that ushered
in the “new Gambia” has created a seismic
shift in our country’s trajectory since gaining
independence in 1965. It heralds a new
chapter in our history and offers a renewed
opportunity to build a modern accountable
state based on the foundations of democracy,
good governance, respect for human rights
and security and prosperity for all. However, it
also presents new challenges that need to be urgently addressed.

My government inherited an extremely challenging legacy manifested in a broken

economy, gross abuse and plunder of our meagre state resources, social
regression, poor and dilapidated infrastructure, and wide-ranging societal
challenges, among the most urgent of which is the frustrations and lack of
opportunities for our young people. The latter has propelled thousands of our
young people to undertake the risky journey, often with tragic consequences,
across the Mediterranean Sea in search of a better future. Similarly, many of our
able and distinguished sons and daughters in the Diaspora, were forced to live in
exile due to the repressive environment that prevailed thus, depriving the country
of vital human capital and resources needed to fuel the growth and economic and
social transformation of our society.

Since coming to power, we have undertaken many measures to stabilize the

economy, restore public confidence and strengthen democratic institutions.
However, we are also aware that more must be done, and urgently. That is why I
tasked government to draw up a new National Development Plan (NDP) to provide
greater clarity and focus for government action, citizens’ engagement and also for
our development partners who are eager and stand ready to assist us.

2
The National Development Plan 2018-2021 presented in this document is the
fruit of these endeavours. Through its eight strategic priorities and their critical
enablers, my government aspires not only to lay the foundations for a modern
democratic state, but also to address the most pressing economic and social
ills besetting our society. The plan through its robust accountability framework,
responds to my concern to ensure a strong focus on results, sound monitoring and
evaluation processes, as well as strengthened engagement between government
and the country’s citizens, including those in the Diaspora. As you will see, the
plan also provides for the setting up of a Presidential Monitoring and Evaluation
(PM&E) system that will allow me to personally follow plan implementation in
certain critical areas. This will complement and enhance the sector level
Monitoring and Evaluation processes provided for in the plan.

If we are to realize the vision and goal of this plan, creating a secure and stable
environment, nurturing strong social cohesion and safety and peace are critical.
My government, with the assistance of the UN, EU, ECOWAS and other partners
has therefore also embarked upon a robust security sector reform process, aimed
at bringing the security services fully under civilian democratic control, ensuring
that the force’s structures and manpower are appropriate for our national security
needs, and that the men and women in our armed and uniformed services can
play a meaningful and positive role in national development.

I call upon all Gambians to make this NDP their plan, to seriously interrogate
themselves on how best they might contribute to its realization and most
importantly to hold us to account when we fall short, in a constructive and
positive spirit of nation building. I am convinced that the courage and
determination shown by Gambians in defeating tyranny and oppression can be
successfully harnessed to also help us overcome our challenges and ensure that
together we fully realize the vision and goal of this National Development Plan.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank all friends of The Gambia – bilateral
friendly governments and multilateral institutions, who have stood by us during
trying times, and continue to do so. I look forward to strengthened collaboration
and partnership as we move from plan formulation to full implementation.

……………………………………………
His Excellency Adama Barrow
President of the Republic of The Gambia

3
 Where are we coming from? – The Context

The Gambia is at the cusp of a historic transition brought on by a ground breaking

development on 2nd December 2016, when the Gambian people voted out of
office the former President Yaya Jammeh who ruled the country for 22 years.

During that period, The Gambia’s governance landscape was characterized by a

system of arbitrary one-person rule, which subjugated the population to gross
human rights violations, terror and serious abuses of office. Similarly, on the
security front, the armed services did not play their part in upholding the
constitution and defending the sovereign will of Gambians. Consequently,
government with the support of partners (United Nations, European Union and
Economic Community of West African States) has embarked upon a security
sector reform aimed at bringing the security services under full democratic
civilian control.

There is a direct correlation between the denial of fundamental freedoms and the
bad governance that existed under the previous regime on the one hand, and the
dire economic and social situation inherited by the new government on the other.

Thankfully, with the help of providence, the determination of the country’s

citizens, the efforts of the new government, as well as the assistance of the
international community that dark chapter in Gambia’s history is now a thing
of the past.

However, despite the new democratic dispensation, the country is faced with a
difficult economic and social situation:

a) A stalled economy arising from several shocks: these include a

poor 2016/17 agricultural season, which drastically reduced the
groundnut crop; a severe contraction of tourism receipts during
the traditional high season, and volatile oil and commodity
prices. Estimates put the combined losses from these shocks at
$ US 31 million or 3 per cent of GDP. Furthermore, gross
international reserves also declined to $ US 60 million or 1.6
months worth of import cover (2016).

b) Economic mismanagement and massive theft by the previous

regime: this has resulted in further fiscal shocks. Theft from
state - owned enterprises (SOEs) has been estimated at 4 per
cent of GDP per year since mid-2014.

4
 c) The country is in external debt distress: it has an unsustainable
public debt, which stands at D 48 billion ($ US 1 billion) or 120
per cent of GDP. Because of this, debt servicing consumes a huge
amount of government revenue, leaving very limited fiscal space
for financing critical infrastructure and human capital
development needs. This is also denying our private sector
access to finance and credit, vital for its growth and expansion.
d) An acute electricity crisis: this arises from the inability of the
sector to meet domestic demand or for economic activities.
e) Agriculture: the sector has not significantly contributed to
poverty reduction as 91 per cent of the rural poor work as
farmers while the sector continues to be relatively undiversified,
mainly smallholder-based and characterized by rain-fed
subsistence farming.
f) Tourism: this industry is challenged by poor destination
recognition/attractiveness; dwindling product quality;
undiversified products; limited air access and reliance on tour
operators; security; and environmental degradation.
g) Trade: the trading landscape is marked by declining and stagnant
domestic exports and an increasing growth in imports, which has
led to a 30-year continuous current account deficit (except 2003
and 2007).
h) Education: while advances have been made with regards to
enrolment rates and girls’ education at the primary level, the
issue of quality and relevance of the curriculum and learning
materials continues to be a source of serious concern.
i) Health care: The Gambia’s strong primary healthcare (PHC),
which was a model for other countries has deteriorated over
the past years and is no longer able to serve the population
adequately.
j) Women’s empowerment: gender equality and women’s
empowerment are still major challenges in Gambian society.
k) Youth: poor and inadequate education continues to limit the
youth’s productivity and the acquisition of skills. Meanwhile,
insufficient access to knowledge and information (including
business development services for the entrepreneurial youth)
is hindering their gainful engagement.

5
Efforts to fight poverty have also proven ineffective with poverty levels remaining
unchanged in the past decade (the percentage of households living below the
poverty line of 1.25 $/day was 48.4 per cent in 2010 and 48.65 per cent in 2015).
The average GDP growth of 3 per cent per annum has barely kept up with
population growth of 3.1 per cent.

There is a rising rural poverty and a growing gap between rural and urban Gambia
with regards to access to health, education, and basic services. While the
proportion of the households living below the poverty line is 31.6 per cent in
urban areas, the proportion rises to 69.5 per cent for rural Gambia. The rural areas
account for 42.2 per cent of the country’s population, but they hold 60 per cent of
its poor.

Through this National Development Plan, Government will act decisively to address
poverty, particularly rural poverty, and close the growing gap in access to basic
services between the predominantly urban western part of the country, and the
rural poor predominantly found in the east of the country.

Government is committed to serious economic reforms. The historic transition to

democracy opens up many possibilities that could spur growth and restore the
country’s economic stability.

Since assuming office, government has taken many significant measures:

There is a marked reduction in domestic borrowing. This is already

bringing down the prime interest rate; from 23 per cent before the
elections in December 2016, to 18 per cent in June 2017.

Government has reviewed the 2017 Budget with a view to lowering the
budget deficit down. This has led to a reduction of government
expenditure of about 1 per cent of GDP. The budget of the Office of the
President has been cut by 75 per cent.

Youth issues are receiving a priority. The first project signed by the
new government is focussed on youth empowerment through funding
from the European Union (EU). The 11million Euro project focuses on
youth employment creation and aims to provide high quality skills
training for potential youth entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Government has also concluded budget support agreements with key

development partners such as EU (D 1.25 billion), the World Bank
($ US 56 million), the African Development Bank ($ US 7 million) and
others to stabilize government finances.

6
 What is our Vision and Goal?

The Vision
The Government’s vision for the “new Gambia” is “a country that upholds the
highest standard of governance, accountability and transparency; where social
cohesion and harmony prevails among communities; citizens enjoy a standard of
living and access to basic services to enable them to lead descent and dignified
lives; youth, women, children realize their full potential, and a nurturing and caring
environment exists for the vulnerable; there is an enabling environment for our
private sector to thrive; and our natural heritage is nurtured and preserved for
future generations”.

The Goal

The government’s goal is to “deliver good governance and accountability, social

cohesion, and national reconciliation and a revitalized and transformed economy
for the wellbeing of all Gambians”.

7
 What are our priorities?

The vision and overall goal of the National Development Plan will be realized
through eight strategic priorities, namely:

Restoring good governance, respect for human rights, the rule of law, and
empowering citizens through decentralization and local governance;
Stabilizing our economy, stimulating growth, and transforming the
economy;
Modernizing our agriculture and fisheries for sustained economic growth,
food and nutritional security and poverty reduction;
Investing in our people through improved education and health services,
and building a caring society;
Building our infrastructure and restoring energy services to power our
economy;
Promoting an inclusive and culture-centred tourism for sustainable
growth;
Reaping the demographic dividend through an empowered youth; and

Making the private sector the engine of growth, transformation, and job
creation.

Seven crosscutting critical enablers will complement the eight strategic priorities
of the plan:

A public sector that is efficient and responsive to the citizenry;

Empowering the Gambian Woman to realize her full potential;
Enhancing the role of the Gambian Diaspora in national development;
Promoting environmental sustainability, climate resilient communities
and appropriate land use;
Making The Gambia a Digital Nation and creating a modern information
society;
A civil society that is engaged and is a valued partner in national
development; and

8
 Strengthening evidence-based policy, planning and decision-making.

Through these strategic priorities and critical enablers, the National Development
Plan both domesticates and serves as an instrument for realizing the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) and the First Ten Year Implementation Plan of the
African Agenda 2063.

9
10
toring good governance, respect for human rights, the rule
Restoring good governance, respect for human rights, the rule
of law, and empowering citizens through decentralization and
local governance

aw, and empowering citizens through decentralization and

Restoring good governance, rebuilding, and restoring public confidence in key
institutions, upholding human rights and strengthening access to justice, in the
Restoring
context of good governance,
transitional rebuilding,
justice and restoring
are urgent public
priorities confidence
in the in key
National institutions,
Development

local governance
Plan. Government aims to enhance and improve human rights, accesstransitional
upholding human rights and strengthening access to justice, in the context of to justice
justice are urgent priorities in the NDP. In this regard, government aims to enhance and
and good governance for all.
improve human rights, access to justice and good governance for all. To this end, government
will review and adopt a new constitution; amend repressive laws; strengthen the
Toindependence
this end, it and
will autonomy
review and adopt
of the a newindigenize
judiciary; constitution; amendleverage
the judiciary; repressive laws;
on ICT to
strengthen
improve andthe independence
speed and autonomy
up justice delivery; and strengthenof and the indigenize
office of thethe judiciary;
Ombudsman,
Alternateon
leverage Dispute
ICT toResolution
improveSecretariat
and speed (ADRS)up in aid of delivery;
justice greater access
andtostrengthen
justice delivery.
the
Human Rights will be improved using the transitional justice
office of the Ombudsman, Alternate Dispute Resolution Secretariat (ADRS) mechanism, the Truth in and
aid
ofReconciliation
greater accessand Reparations Commission, and by establishing a National Human Rights
to justice delivery. Human Rights will be improved using the
Commission, as well as an Anti-Corruption Commission. Other interventions will strengthen
transitional
the Nationaljustice
Agencymechanism,
for Legal Aid the Truth
(NALA), theand Reconciliation
National and Trafficking
Agency Against Reparations In
Commission, and by
Persons (NAATIP), theestablishing a National
National Assembly, the Human
IndependentRights Commission,
Elections as well
Commission as
(IEC),
anand
Anti-Corruption Commission.
the National Council Other measures
for Civic Education will include
(NCCE) to execute strengthening
their mandates in orderthe
to
National
attain theAgency forof Legal
objective Aid (NALA),
the strategic priority the
on theNational Agency
restoration Against Trafficking In
of governance.
Persons (NAATIP), the National Assembly, the Independent Electoral Commission
Decentralization
(IEC), is key toCouncil
and the National strengthening
for Civiclocal governance
Education and ensuring
(NCCE). These accountability,
institutions will as
well as the effective delivery of services to citizens. Under the plan, government will review
beand
in aupdate
betterthe
position to execute their mandates in order to attain the objective
decentralization and local government act, in order to strengthen its
ofimplementation;
the strategic priority on theand
other policies restoration
regulatory of governance.
frameworks will be harmonized for enhanced
coordination of the decentralization programme; the revenue base of Councils will be
Peace, security
expanded and stability
and Standardized are essential
Financial for and
Management theAccounting
realisation of thewillNational
Systems support
the decentralization
Development process.Government recognises that to achieve conditions that
Plan goals.

oring good governance, rebuilding, and restoring public confidence in key institution
are sustainable in the longer-term will require a security sector that is responsive
toStabilizing our economy, stimulating growth, and transforming the
those internal and external threats that infringe on national and human
economy
security. The overarching goal of the reform is to re-engineer the missions,
structures, mind sets and culture of security institutions to make them more

olding human rights and strengthening access to justice, in the context of transition
responsive, affordable, accountable and that can sustainably cater for the needs
ofYears
The Gambia based ongovernance
of poor economic democraticand norms and
misuse of principles.
state resources has left the Gambian
economy in a perilous state. Under the plan, government will undertake major reforms in a
bid to enhance macroeconomic management for sustainable and inclusive economic growth

ce are urgent priorities in the NDP. In this regard, government aims to enhance an
and poverty reduction. This will be achieved through prudent fiscal management, debt
sustainability measures, broadening the tax base and improving tax efficiency, as well as
implementing Public Finance Management reforms. Government will design and
implement sound monetary and flexible exchange rate policies for price and exchange rate

ove human rights, access to justice and good governance for all. To this end, governme
stability while also strengthening the State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), as well as financial
governance institutions, such as the, Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG). Government will
also strengthen and deepen Gambia’s financial sector to ensure that barriers in access to
finance to the private sector, including for agriculture, women and youth are eliminated.

review and adopt a new constitution; amend repressive laws; strengthen th

11for sustained economic growth,
Modernizing our agriculture and fisheries
food and nutritional security and poverty reduction
Key anticipated government priorities of the security sector reform (SSR) would
include:

Development of overarching frameworks for national security policy and

the national security strategy and a comprehensive SSR Programme;

Formulation of the policy frameworks to govern, manage and administer

the individual institutions that make up the sector (Gambia Armed Forces
(GAF), Gambia Police Force (GPF), State Intelligence Services (SIS),
Gambia Prison Services (GPS), Gambia Immigration Department (GID)
and Gambia Fire and Rescue Services (GFRS);

Comprehensive capacity building of security forces and empowerment

of oversight organs and mechanisms and involvement of civil society
organizations;

Reviewing and restructuring of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of

Interior to enhance governance, management, accountability and
oversight capacities;

Development of a comprehensive communication plan to encompass a

public sensitization process; and

Development of mechanisms for vetting and right sizing of the security

forces.

A successful security sector reform and establishment of civilian and democratic

oversight mechanism of the security sector are guarantees for non-recurrence of
serious human rights violations allegedly committed by the security forces and for
assurance that the security services effectively serve as protectors of the people.

Decentralization is key to strengthening local governance and ensuring

accountability, as well as the effective delivery of services to citizens. Under the
plan, government will review and update the decentralization and Local
Government Act, in order to strengthen its implementation; other policies and
regulatory frameworks will be harmonized for enhanced coordination of the
decentralization programme. Government will enhance the revenue base of
Councils and standardized financial management and accounting systems will be
put in place to support the decentralization process.

12
 implementation; other policies and regulatory frameworks will be harmonized for enhanced
Decentralization is key
coordination of the to strengthening
decentralization local governance
programme; and ensuring
the revenue base ofaccountability, as
Councils will be
well as theand
expanded effective delivery of
Standardized servicesManagement
Financial to citizens. Under the plan, government
and Accounting willsupport
Systems will review
and update the decentralization
the decentralization process. and local government act, in order to strengthen its
implementation; other policies and regulatory frameworks will be harmonized for enhanced

toring good governance, respect for human rights, the rule

coordination ofeconomy,
Stabilizing our
expanded
the decentralization
stimulatingprogramme;
growth, andthe revenue base
transforming the of Councils will be
economy and Standardized Financial Management and Accounting Systems will support
the decentralization process.

aw, and empowering citizens through decentralization and

Stabilizing
Years of poor
economy of poor
our economic
economy, stimulating
economic
will undertake
governance
governance
major
growth,
and misuse
reforms in
and transforming
and misuse
Gambian economy in a perilous state. Under the National has
Years of
an
state
effort
resources
the
of state resources
economy in a perilous state. Under the plan, government will undertake major reforms in a
government to enhance
bid to enhance macroeconomic management for sustainable and inclusive economic growth
has left the
left the Gambian
Development
macroeconomic
Plan,

local governance
management for sustainable
and poverty reduction. This will beand inclusive
achieved througheconomic
prudent fiscalgrowth and poverty
management, debt
reduction.
Years of poor
sustainability It measures,
will achieve
economic governance
broadeningthis the through
and base prudent
misuse
tax of
andstate fiscaltaxmanagement,
resources
improving has left theas
efficiency, welldebt
Gambian as
sustainability
economy
implementing measures,
in a perilous broadening
Public state. Under
Finance the government
the plan,
Management taxreforms.
base, andwill improvingmajor
undertake
Government tax efficiency.
will in aIt
reforms and
design
bid
will to enhance
also
implement implement
soundmacroeconomic
publicand
monetary management
finance
flexible for sustainable
management
exchange ratereforms.andfor
policies inclusive
Government
price andeconomicwillgrowth
exchange design
rate
and poverty
stability while reduction.
also This will
strengthening be
the achieved
State through
Owned prudent
Enterprises
and implement sound monetary and flexible exchange rate policies for price and fiscal
(SOEs), management,
as well as debt
financial
sustainability measures, such
governance institutions, broadening the tax base and improving
Gambiatax efficiency, as wellwill
as
exchange rate stability. Atas the,
the Central
same Banktime,of Theit will (CBG).
strengthen Government
state-owned
implementing
also strengthen Public Finance
and deepen Management
Gambia’s reforms.
financial sector Government
to ensure will design
that barriers in accessandto
enterprises
implement
finance to the (SOEs),
sound
private as well
monetary
sector, andasflexible
includingfinancial governance
forexchange ratewomen
agriculture, institutions
policies foryouth
and price arelike
and the Central
exchange
eliminated. rate
Bank of The
stability whileGambia. Government
also strengthening will also
the State Owned strengthen
Enterprises and deepen
(SOEs), as wellTheasGambia’s
financial
financial
governance sector
Modernizing to agriculture
ensure
institutions,
our suchthat
asand itfisheries
the, eliminates
Central Bank
for barriers in access
of The Gambia
sustained economic toGovernment
(CBG).
growth,finance by will the
private
also foodsector,
strengthen including
and deepen
and nutritional for agriculture,
Gambia’s
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and poverty access
sector
reduction to finance
to ensure by women
that barriers in accessandto
finance
youth. to the private sector, including for agriculture, women and youth are eliminated.

toring good governance, respect for human rights, the rule

Modernizing our agriculture and fisheries for sustained economic growth,
food and nutritional security and poverty reduction
10 | P a g e

aw, and empowering citizens through decentralization and

Agriculture is a leading sector in The Gambia’s economy. It contributes 20 to 30
10 | P a g e
per cent of the nation’s GDP and employs most of the country’s poor. The sector’s
poor performance has resulted in deepening rural poverty and stalled GDP growth,
which is barely able to keep up with population growth. The goal for agriculture

localrebui
oring good governance, governance
under the National Development Plan is to have a modern, sustainable and market

lding, and restoring public confidence in key institution

oriented agriculture, livestock for increased food and nutrition security, income
and employment generation, poverty reduction and economic transformation.

olding human rights and strengthening access to justice, in the context of transition
Key initiatives will include the following:

Developing an agriculture sector policy and associated sub-sector policies

to attract private sector investment;

ce are urgent priorities in the NDP. In this regard, government aims to enhance an


Agriculture value chain development, including the promotion of
agri-business and agro processing;

ove human rights, access to justice and good governance for all. To this end, governmen
Rebuild and revitalize the agricultural market infrastructure through
cooperatives and commodities exchanges;

Developing quality assurance mechanisms to strengthen access to export

review and adopt a new constitution; amend repressive laws; strengthen th

markets;
13
d agriculture
sustainable and marketandoriented agriculture
livestockand livestock sector
sector
for increased food
for
and inc
employment
nutrition security, income
generation,
and employment generation, poverty
poverty reduction and economic
reductio
transformation.

iculture
Key interventions
Sector
Increasinginclude an Policy
Agriculture
production Sector and
Policy and
and productivity, associated
usingassociated
sustainablesub-sector policies
land and to sub-s
water
ents;attractagriculture
private sector investments; agriculture
value value chain
chain development, develop
including
management practices to address hunger and food security needs;
agro processing;
promotion of agri-business and agro rebuilding
processing; rebuilding andand revitalizing revitalizing
the agricultural
operatives
market infrastructure
and through commodities
cooperatives and commodities exchanges; exchanges;
quality assurance q
mechanisms
rengthen Supporting
access
developmentresearch and
todevelopment
to strengthen access
export andmarkets;
to export extension
markets; to ensure
increased thatincre
production
and productivity
e land and farmerswater
havesustainable
using access tomanagement
the and
land latest technologies,
water managementirrigation,
practices toseeds andhunger
practices
address other to
h and and food inputs
development toneeds;
security enhance productivity;
research and development
and and extension
extension to ensure that farmers to ens
nologies,
have access to irrigation,
the latest technologies, irrigation,
seeds seeds and and other inputs other
to enhance inp
ate smart
productivity; promotion
agriculture
Promotion of climate
of climate smart
smart agriculture
toto
agriculture tobuild
build resilience;
build resilience;resilience;
pest and disease p
t losses,
control, reduction
as of well
post harvestas losses,inputs
as well as inputs management.
management. Increased support In
sector will be
through
provided to the livestockpromotion
sector through promotion ofof value chains;
value development
chains;
of
Pest and disease control, reduction of post harvest losses, as well as
ol. feed resources; and disease control.
inputs management; and
brant Government
fisheries will promote aand vibrant fisheries
aquaculture
and aquaculture sector through sector
research, th
sustainable
tilization Increasing
of support
management the and to the livestock
utilization
fisheries sector through
of the fisheries resources promotion
resourcesthat would of value that
enhance
employment
od opportunities,chains,anddevelopment of feed
create livelihood resources
opportunities,
generate and disease
generate income control.
income
and foreign exchangeand f
and nutrition
earnings, and contribute tosecurity.
food, and nutrition security.
InIn this
this regard, regard,
key interventions will key i
ent (human,
address institutional
Government development
policy
will promote (human,
a vibrant and
policy and
fisheries and legislative,
legislative,
aquaculture systems andthrough
sector tools); syst
andenhance
research, sustainable management and utilisation of the fisheries resources and
the fisheries
improvement
infrastructure; and the improvementof of valuevalue
chains for fisheries
chains
that
aquaculture.
will enhance employment and create livelihood opportunities. These are resources
that will also generate income and foreign exchange earnings, and contribute to
food, and nutrition security. In this regard, key initiatives will address institu-
tional development, enhance fisheries infrastructure, and improve fisheries and
aquaculture value chains

improved education
Investing in our people and
through improved education and
aringhealth
society
services, and building a caring society

The Gambia has made modest advances in realising the United Nations
Millennium Development Goals targets in education, health, nutrition, water,
sanitation and hygiene. However, significant challenges remain. Under the
dvancesThe Gambia
National in has realizing
made modest
Development Plan,advances inthe
realizing the
the government MDG
will MDG targetsfurther
prioritise targets
on education, health, on ed
investments
cant tochallenges
nutrition
develop andthe
WASH, but significant
country’s humanremain.
challenges
capital. It remain.
will doUnder
Under
so by the plan, government
ensuring thehealth
quality will
plan,
o develop
prioritize furtherthe
investmentscountry’s
to develop the country’s humanhuman capital through capital
ensuring t
and education, making basic social services accessible and affordable to all, and
d making
quality healthbasic
and education, social
and making basicservices
social services accessibleaccessible
and affordable to a
improving
protection social and
all and improving child
social
systems protection
and child systems
protectionfor
systemsforthe
the
for themost
most vulnerable.
most
vulnerable. vulnerab

r Education:
the Education:
plan Government
Government
will will:
under focus
the plan will focus
on on (i) enhancing
(i) enhancing
access to early
ving quality
childhood education, learning,
(ii) improving quality learning,
with with special
special
emphasis on Science,
emph
athematics
Technology, Engineering
Enhance (STEM),
accessand Mathematics
to early Health,
(STEM),
childhood Health, Agriculture
education; Agriculture
and special needs a

Improve quality learning, with special emphasis on science, 11technology,

|Page
engineering and mathematics (STEM), health, agriculture and special
needs at the basic, post-secondary/tertiary and higher education levels;
14
ng rural poverty and stalled GDP growth, w
rowth. The goal for agriculture under the
ted agriculture and livestock sector for i
d employment generation, poverty reduc
Promote technical, vocational, education and training and other skills
enhancing initiatives to match the job market; and
griculture Sector Policy and associated su
tments;
agriculture
Enhance access to non-formal education value in order tochain build a more skilled develo
d agro processing;
and productive work force. rebuilding and revitaliz
cooperatives and commodities exchanges
strengthen access to export markets; inc
at the basic,
Health, post-secondary/tertiary
Nutrition, and higherandeducation levels, promotetheTVET andperiod,
other
able land andWater, water Sanitation management Hygiene: During plan practices
skills enhancing initiatives to match the job market; and (iii) take measures to enhance
arch government
and development will reduce maternal and newborn and mortality, reduce the burden of to e
extension
access to non-formal
communicable education
and irrigation, in order to build
non-communicable a moreand
diseases, skilled and productive
ensure that thework force.has
country
chnologies, seeds and other
mateappropriately
smart skilledagriculture
health workforce in place. Itto will also strengthen weak
build health
resilience
Health, Nutrition and WASH: Government will focus on reducing maternal and newborn
est losses,
governance and as well as inputs
partnership management
mortality, reducing
k sector through the burdenframeworks.
of promotion
communicable In nutrition, government
and non-communicable of
will take steps
diseases,
value and chain
toensuring
improve the
that thenutritional
country haswellbeing
an of
appropriatelyall Gambians,
skilled health paying attention
workforce. The to
weak mothers
health
ntrol.
and children,and
governance including
partnershiptheframework
use of baby willfriendly community and
also be strengthened. hospitalgovernment
In nutrition, initiatives.
It will
will develop
take measuresmicronutrient
to
vibrant fisheries and aquaculture improve thedeficiency
nutritional control
well mechanisms,
being of all and
Gambians, use
paying Infant and
attention
sector
Young
to Child
mothers Feeding
and children,(IYCF) practices
including
utilization of the fisheries resources th the useto ofimprove
the Baby optimal
Friendly infant
Communityand young
and child
Hospital
hoodfeeding. Under
Initiatives;
opportunities, water, Deficiency
Micronutrient sanitationControl
and generate
hygiene
mechanisms;(WASH),and use theofplan
IYCF will
income address
practices to and
od, and improve
improved, optimal
equitable
nutrition infantaccess
and youngto childand
safe
security. feeding. UnderIn
affordable WASH,
water this the sanitation,
and planregard,
will address
good ke
ment improved,
hygiene(human, equitableand
practices, access topolicy
safe and protection
environmental affordableand water
for all.and sanitation,
legislative, good hygiene sy
re; and practices,the
and environmental protection for all.
improvement of value chain
Social Protection: Key initiatives in social protection will build resilience and
Social Protection: Key interventions on social protection will focus on building resilience
provide safetysafety
and providing nets nets
to address vulnerabilities.
to address vulnerabilities Itby:will do soResilience
Building by: building resilience
through Social
through social transfer (BResT) cash transfer, improved leadership
Transfer (BReST); cash transfer; improved leadership and coordination; strengthening child and
coordination, strengthening child protection, and through enhanced
protection; and enhanced participation and economic empowerment of persons with participation
and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities.
disabilities.

gh improved education
Building our infrastructure and
and restoring energy services to
a caring
power oursociety
economy

Energyand
Energy and Electricity:
Electricity: TheThe Gambia
Gambia is facing
is facing an electricity
an electricity crisis.crisis, with demand
The challenges are
significantly Demand
numerous. higher than capacity - old
is significantly dilapidated
higher equipment,The
than capacity. a dysfunctional policy
utility corporation,
environment
the National that
Wateris poorly adapted toCompany
and Electricity attract private sector has
(NAWEC), investment
had to andrelyaonpower
old,
corporation deeply
advances in indebted,
realizingare among the key the challenges MDG
faced. The energy situation is a
targets on
dilapidated and obsolete equipment. Added to this is a dysfunctional policy
ificantseriouschallenges remain.
constraint on growth and transformation Under
of the economy. Under the theplan, plan
environment
to develop that is poorly
government will focusthe
adapted
on improving
to attract private sector
country’s
the policy and regulatory human investment. NAWEC
environment to attractcapita
is
and makingalso a deeply
investments into theindebted
basic power corporation.
energy sector,social The
improve generation energy
services situation isthe
a serious
capacity, includingaccessibleuse of
inhibiting
renewablesfactor
ild protection on growth
and access tosystems and and
electricity transformation
enhance for ofthe
household the economy.
energy security Under
most the
vulnera
and ensure
National Development Plan, government aims
secured petroleum resources to support national development. to improve the policy and
der the plan to
regulatory environment will focus
attract investment into theon (i) and
energy sector, enhancin
improve
roving Petroleum:
quality To tap the potential for the new growth opportunity
learning, with presented by petroleum, emp
special
generation capacity.
government will formulateThis includes the use
and implement a sound of renewables. Government
exploration programme ultimately
(permits and
Mathematics
aims to improve (STEM), Health, Agriculture
studies); design andaccess
establishtoa electricity,
sound licensingenhance household
regime (license model, energy security
sound tax and
schedules
ensure secured petroleum resources to support national development.
and environment management); formulate petroleum data management policies; review
the Petroleum Exploration, Development, and Production Act 2004; and work towards
security of supplies. 15
The transport sector: Government will make a major effort to enhance land, sea, and air
transport to boost affordability, accessibility, and competitiveness. Major strategies are
Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for infrastructural development; policy reforms; road
 Petroleum: To tap the potential for the new growth opportunity presented
by petroleum, government will formulate and implement a sound exploration
programme. It will design and establish a solid licensing regime with sound tax
schedules and environmental management. It will also formulate petroleum data
management policies, review the Petroleum Exploration, Development, and
Production Act of 2004, and work towards the security of supplies.
The transport sector: Government will make a major effort to enhance land, sea,
and air transport to boost affordability, accessibility, and competitiveness. Major
strategies include public private partnerships for infrastructural development,
policy reforms, road network expansions, road safety, port expansion, and
innovative management models. Attention will also be paid to airport
improvement, and public works management. Government will also work on
completing the national road network, on its maintenance and on expanding the
network of secondary feeder roads to improve access in rural areas.
Promoting an inclusive and culture-centred tourism for sustainable
growth
Promoting
Promoting an inclusive
an inclusive and culture-centred
and culture-centred tourism tourism for sustainable
for sustainable
growth growth
Government’s goal is to make tourism a highly competitive and sustainable
Government’s goal is to make tourism a highly competitive and sustainable industry that is
industry that is people - and culture-centred. The objective is to develop a
people and culture - centred that celebrates our cultural heritage and contributes to socio-
Gambian tourism sector that celebrates the country’s cultural heritage and
economicgoaldevelopment.
Government’s
Government’s istogoal Keytourism
is totourism
tosocio-economic
make make a interventions
highly acompetitivewillandfocus
highly competitive on
andpolicy
sustainable reforms
sustainable
industry is inonaid of
contributes development. Key initiatives will thatindustry
focus that is
policy
people competitiveness;
people
and and
culture culture
- marketing
-
centred centred
that for
thatdestination
celebrates celebrates
our recognition
our
cultural cultural
heritage and attractiveness;
heritage
and and
contributes quality
contributes
to socio- to service
socio-
reforms to promote competitiveness. There will be greater marketing for
delivery;
economic
economic enhanced
development.
development. security;
Key Keyproduct diversity;
interventions
interventions will focuswillenhanced
policyoncommunity
onfocus participation
policy inreforms
reforms aidand
aid of inAttention of
destination recognition and attractiveness, and quality service delivery.
greater linkages
competitiveness;
competitiveness; marketing with other
marketing
for sectors
for especially
destination
destination recognition agriculture
recognition
and and
and natural resources,
attractiveness;
attractiveness; quality quality
service as well as
service
will be given to enhance security, on product diversity, and enhanced community
promotion
delivery;
delivery; enhanced of the
enhanced Gambia’s
security;
security; biodiversity
product product
diversity; and rich culture through openingparticipation
upand
the sectorand to
participation. Furthermore, there diversity;
will be enhanced
enhanced community
greater community
participation
linkage with other sectors,
greaterrural
greaterand
linkages non-urban
linkages
with based
withsectors
other other locations. These measures will boost tourism arrivals, tap high
especially agriculture andsectors
especially
natural especially
agriculture
resources.agriculture andresources,
andGovernment
natural natural
willresources,
asalso as as wellThe
well promote as
value market
promotion
promotion of the of segments
the
Gambia’s and contribute
Gambia’s biodiversity
biodiversity and toand
rich jobsrich
and
culture economic
culture
through diversification.
through
opening opening
up the up
sector the
to sector to
Gambia’s biodiversity and rich culture by opening up the sector to rural and
ruralnon-urban
and non-urban
rural non-urban
and based based locations.
locations. These These
measures measures
will boost will boost
tourism
based locations. These measures will boost tourism arrivals, tap high tourism
arrivals, taparrivals,
high tap high
Reaping
value
marketmarket
valuevalue marketthe segments
segments demographic
segments, andand
and contribute dividend
contribute
to
contributethrough
to jobs
jobs and toand
economic
jobseconomic diversification.
diversification.
and economic diversification.
an empowered youth
ReapingReaping the demographic
the demographic dividenddividend
throughthrough
an empowered
an empowered youth youth

Government is determined to realize its commitment to “leave no youth behind” as it

recognizes that youth are the engines of growth and are an essential pillar for any
Government
development.
Government
Government isisThe
is determined determined
goal
determined
to realize to
for tothe realise
sector
realize
its itsisits
commitment commitment
therefore
commitment
to “leavepremisedto “leave
tono“leave
youthonno no as
youth
“secured
youth
behind” behind.”
itsustainable
behind” as it
It recognises
livelihood
that for
recognizes
recognizes that
youth that
youths youth
youth through
are the are are
engines the
theskills engines
of development,
engines
growth of andof growth,
growthdecent
are and and
work are
are anand
an essential an essential
excellence
essential
pillar pillar
in for
pillar
for any for
sports”.
any
any
Underdevelopment.
this
development.
development. Thetheme,
goalTheforThe
the
goalthegoal
major
for for the
the issector
sector youth
interventions sector
is include:
therefore therefore is therefore
creation
premised premised premised
of employment
on “secured on “secured
“securedopportunities
on sustainable sustainable
sustainable
and livelihood
entrepreneurial for youths
skills through skills development, decentandinwork and
livelihood
livelihood for for youths
youths through skillsfordevelopment,
through Gambian
skills Youth;
decentstrengthening
development, decent
work andwork institutional
and excellence
excellence in sports”. technical
sports”.
excellence in sports.”
Undercapacity
Under thisoftheme,
this theme, youth
the services
the
major agencies;
major interventions
interventions strengthening
include: include: of
creation existing
creation youth
of employment
employment employment
opportunities
opportunities and
entrepreneurship
and entrepreneurial
and entrepreneurial programmes;
skills
skills for advocacy
for Gambian
Gambian programmes
Youth;
Youth; strengthening and
16 strengthening policy dialogue
institutional
institutional and technical platforms
and technical on
youth
capacity
capacity employment
of youthof youth and
servicesservices
agencies;entrepreneurship;
agencies; a
strengthening
strengthening national youth
existingemployment
existing youth development
youth employment
and fund;
and
entrepreneurship
entrepreneurship programmes; and skills
programmes;
advocacy development
advocacy
programmes programmes
programmes
and policyand for persons
policy
dialogue withon
dialogue
platforms disabilities,
platforms on
youthincluding
youth financing;
employment
employment and multi-
and purpose youth
entrepreneurship;
entrepreneurship; friendly
a national servicedevelopment
a national
youth centres across
youth development the country;
fund; fund;
 recognizes that youth are the engines of growth and are an essential pillar for any
Government’s goal
mpetitive and people and culture
sustainable industry
is to make tourism
Government’s
- centred
that is that
a highly
goal is to make competitive
celebrates our
tourism a highly
cultural
and sustainable
heritage
competitiveindustry
and contributes
people and culture - centred that celebrates our cultural heritage and to
that is industry tha
and sustainable
socio-
contributes to so
ultural heritage
development. The goal for the sector is therefore premised on “secured sustainable
economic development.
and contributes
competitiveness;
focus on policy reforms in
to socio- Key interventions will focus on policy reforms
economic development. Key interventions will focus on policy reforms
marketing
aid of for destination recognition and attractiveness;
in
quality
aid of
service
competitiveness; marketing for destination recognition and attractiveness; quality ser
in aid
Under this theme, major measures to be taken entail the following:
livelihood for youths through skills development, decent work and excellence in sports”.
delivery; enhanced
nition and attractiveness;
greater
quality
linkages
nhanced community participation with
security;
service
delivery;
other
greaterand
productsecurity;
enhanced
sectors
diversity;product
especially
enhanced
agriculture and
community
diversity;
natural
participation
enhanced community
resources, as well
linkages with other sectors especially agriculture and natural resources,
andparticipation
as as we
Strengthening existing youth employment and entrepreneurship
Under this theme, the major interventions include: creation of employment opportunities
promotion
ulture throughrural
opening
of the Gambia’s
culture and natural resources, promotion biodiversity and rich culture
programmes in order to create employment opportunities and
and non-urban
up therural based
sector locations. based
andtonon-urban These locations.
measures These
through
will boost
opening up
as well as of the Gambia’s biodiversity and rich culture through opening
tourismwill
measures
the
arrivals,
sector to up the secto
tap higharrivals, tap h
boost tourism
entrepreneurial skills for Gambian Youth;
and entrepreneurial skills for Gambian Youth; strengthening institutional and technical
ures will boostvalue market
tourism segments
arrivals, and contribute
tap high
value market segmentstoand
jobscontribute
and economic diversification.
to jobs and economic diversification.
economic diversification.

capacity of youth services agencies; strengthening existing youth employment and
Strengthening institutional and technical capacity of youth services
Reaping agencies;
the demographic
Reaping thedividend through
demographic dividend through
an empowered youth an empowered youth
entrepreneurship
Advocacyprogrammes;
programmesadvocacy and policy programmes
dialogue and policy on
platforms dialogue
youthplatforms on

youth employment
employment and entrepreneurship; a national youth development fund;
and entrepreneurship;
Government is determined toisrealize its commitment to commitment
“leave no youth behind” noasyouth
it behind” a

ment to “leave

entrepreneurship
recognizes
no youth behind” and
Government
as
recognizes
Gambian youth;
skills
A national youth development
that youth are
it the
thatdevelopment
determined
engines
youth of
are
fund
programmes
to realize
growth
the and
engines
its
to enhance
are
offor an persons
access
growthessential
and with
to “leave
to finance
disabilities,
pillar
are an
for
for any
essential pillar for
th and are an
ore premised including
development.
livelihood
financing;
for
on “secured
The
essential pillar
youths multi-forand
through
sustainable
livelihood
Entrepreneurship
purpose
goalanyfor theThe
for
development. sector
skills
youths
youth
development,
skillsthrough
friendly
goal isfortherefore
the sector
development
service
decent
skills workcentres
premised
development,
programmes anddecentacrossworktheinandsports”.
on “secured
is therefore premised
excellence
for persons
country;
sustainable
on “secured sustaina
excellence in spor
with
increasing
decent work Under
e: creation of and
this
and excellence
andopportunities
theme,
improving
in
disabilities,
entrepreneurial
employment
the major
sports”.
Under this
young
including
and skills
theme,
people’s
interventions
for Gambian
entrepreneurial
the
financing; access
majorinclude:
Youth;
skills
to qualityYouth;
creation
interventions
strengthening
for Gambian
healthinstitutional
of
include:
services including
employment
creation
strengthening
of
Sexual opportun
opportunities
employment
and institutional
technical and techn
and
rengthening capacity Reproductive
of and
institutional youth
Multi-purpose
ning existingentrepreneurship
youth employment
Health;
services
technical
capacity ofincorporation
youth
programmes;
and
agencies;
youth of
services
friendly
advocacy
rights
strengthening
service based
agencies;
programmes
centres approach
existing
acrossyouth
strengthening
and policy
entrepreneurship programmes; advocacy programmes and policy dialogue
to
the youth planning
employment
existing
country;
dialogue
youthand
platforms
andemployment
on platforms
mmes and policy
national youth
programming
youth employment
dialogue
Increasing
entrepreneurship
development
and
platforms
youththe
and
and
and promotion
onimproving
skills
of excellence
entrepreneurship;
employment and
young
development
fund; and reproductive
entrepreneurship
a in sports.
national
accessyouth
entrepreneurship;
people’s
programmes
and skills health;
development for
Special
toaqualityprogrammes
development
national
persons
health
with
youth will
fund;be
development
services,
disabilities,
fu
including sexual and programmes for persons with disabilit
designedwith
ammes for including
persons and disabilities,
implemented
financing;including to facilitate
multi-financing;
purpose multi-the
youth placingservice
friendly
purpose of returning
youth youth migrants
centres across
friendly service the country;
centres into the coun
across
increasing
ly service centres and
across improving
theincreasing
Incorporation country; young
of and people’s access
improving young
a rights-based to quality
people’s
approach health
access to
to youth services including
quality health
planning and services Sexual including Sex
o quality health productive
and services employment
Reproductive
including
programming,andHealth;
Sexualand
Reproductive
and society.
incorporation
Health;
the promotion of incorporation
rights based approach
of excellence of rights to youth
based
in sports. planning
approach to and
youth planning
programming
based approach and the and
to youth planning promotion
programming and oftheexcellence
promotionin ofsports. Specialin programmes
excellence willprogrammes
sports. Special be will
designed
in sports. Special
Special and implemented
programmes willwill
designed
programmes andto
bebe facilitateand
implemented
designed theimplemented
toplacing of returning
facilitate the
to placingyouth
facilitate migrants
of the
returning into migrants
youth
reinsertion
ofproductive
cing of returning youthemployment
returning migrants andemployment
into
productive
youth migrants society. and society.
into productive employment and society.
Making the private sector and trade the engine of growth, transformation,
od governance, respect for human rights, the rule
Making the private sector
Making
and job creation theand tradesector
private
and job creation and job creation
of growth, transformation,
the engine of growth,
and trade transformation,
the engine of growth, transformation,

mpoweriAnvibrant
g citizprivateens sector
through decentral growthizinatimanufacturing,
on and industry and trade
A vibrant private
Government A sector
vibrantawith
envisages significant
private
vibrant sector growth
privatewith inthat
manufacturing,
significant
sector growth
will bolster in industry andgrowth
manufacturing,
significant trade
industry and tr
incontributions
in manufacturing, industry
manufacturing, to and
economic
trade growth
contributions
industry to
and and
economicemployment
trade, growth
and make is envisaged
and employment
contributionsunder the plan.country’s
is envisaged
to the The
under keythe plan. The
nt is envisagedinterventions
under the
economic plan.
growth with significant
willinterventions
diversify
The localwillproduction
andkeyemployment. diversify byactivities
introducing
Keylocal productionwillhigh value products
byinclude
introducing highsuch,
diversifying value asproducts such
local
troducing high findi,
value
productionmoringa,by sesame,
products introducing
findi, honey,
such,moringa,
as such cashew high
sesame, and horticulture
value
honey, products
cashew for
andboth
as exportmoringa,
findi,
horticulture and the domestic
for both sesame,
export and the dome
contributions to economic growth and employment is envisaged under the plan. The key
local governance
ulture for both
ding the quality
market;
will
export
honey,

interventions
e capacity infrastructure
for
create
and themarket
cashew
infrastructure
and

for
custom clearance
domestic
market;
be madeforinfrastructure
infrastructure and
to
linkages
horticulture,
hard market
create
agricultural
and
establishment
focusing
create market
agricultural for
for both
products;
on building
linkages
agricultural
products.
Single Window
export
linkages
enhance
the quality
and
focusing
focusing
products;
system;
Government
Custom
thebuilding
on
capacityenhance
on
will diversify local production by introducing high value products such, as
establishment of Single Windowof Custom Clearance
infrastructure
domestic
for building
custom
diversify
will
Clearance
the market.
capacity
qualityandinfrastructure
clearance
quality,
servicecapacity
enhance
system;
hard
Efforts

export and
diversify
hard
for custom
for
service
and h
and clearance
export
strengthen
custom trade
clearance in and
and services
tradedata
establish in management;
a Single Window improve
dataCustom trade improve
Clearance and investment
system.
findi, moringa, sesame, honey, cashew and horticulture for both export and the domestic
ce system; diversify
ent; improvenegotiations;
service
trade andenhance
export
strengthen
investmentconsumer
negotiations;
services
welfareconsumer
enhance through competitive
management;
welfare through markets; strengthen
competitive
trade and investm
Weights
markets; strengthen Weig
ompetitive markets;
, and undertake
market; create market linkages focusing on building the quality infrastructure and hard
and Measures
Investment
Bureau;
strengthen and
incentives
tax reforms; undertake
improve Bureau;
Weights
Measures access to
policyincentives
Investment reforms; promote
finance,
improve
17 and
access undertake
to
the Gambia
policy reforms;
finance,
promote brand;
tax
and reforms;
undertake
the strengthen
undertake
Gambia brand;
tax
GIEPA;
reforms; undert
strengthen GIE
infrastructure for agricultural products; enhance capacity for custom clearance and
the Gambia strengthen MSMEstrengthen
brand; strengthen
create employment. Measures will also
and industry
GIEPA; MSME development,
and industry and create employment.
development, and create Measures will also
employment. Measures will
 Other measures will entail:

Diversifying service export and strengthening trade in services data

management;
Improving trade and investment negotiations;
Enhancing consumer welfare through competitive markets;
Strengthening the Weights and Measures Bureau;
Improving access to finance, and undertaking tax reforms;
Undertaking investment incentives policy reforms;
Promoting the Gambia brand;
Strengthening The Gambia Investment and Export Agency (GIEPA);
Strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises and industry
development, and creating employment; and
be takenStrengthening
to strengthen labour
labouradministration
administration through review
through and and
review implementation of the
implementation
Labour Act and the Trade Union Act and regulations.
of the Labour Act and the Trade Union Act and regulations.

storing good governance, respect for human rights, the rule

A public sector that is efficient and responsive to the citizenry

law, and empowering citizens through decentralization and

The new government’s bold reform agenda will require strong public institutions
The new government’s bold reform agenda will require strong public institutions and civil
and civil service reform as an important priority. The goal of civil service reform is:
service reform as an important priority. The goal of civil service reform is: efficient and
efficient
responsiveand responsive
public-sector public-sector
institutions. institutions.
Ensuring appropriate Ensuring motivation
remuneration, appropriate
and

local governance
remuneration,
proper management motivation
of theandpublic
proper management
service; pay and of the public
pension service;
reform; payasand
as well the
pension reform;
establishment as well asmanagement
of performance the establishment of performance
systems constitute managementof
the major interventions
systems constitute
this critical enabler. some of the major interventions of this critical enabler.

Empowering the Gambian Woman to realize her full potential

The Gambia
While has steps
significant takenhave
significant stepsfortothe
been taken advance the empowerment
empowerment of women
of women through several
legislative
through acts, as
several well as vigorous
legislative efforts
acts, as well to
asensure gender
vigorous parity
efforts toinensure
primarygender
education, the
parity
inwelfare
primary of education.
the Gambian women continues
Nonetheless, to lag of
the welfare significantly
Gambian behind
womenthat of men.
continues
toGovernment is therefore
lag significantly behind that determined
of men. to promote gender
Government equity,
is therefore equality and
determined to
empowerment of women and girls for sustained socio-economic development. Key
promote gender equity, equality and empowerment of women and girls for
measures under this theme will include gender mainstreaming; capacity development of
sustained socio-economic
women entrepreneurs; development.
establishment of a fundUnder the National
to improve access Development Plan,
to finance; legislative
reforms and advocacy for enhanced representation and participation in decision making;
18 and abolishing harmful traditional practices,
gender based violence reduction programmes;
such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriage.

Enhancing the role of the Gambian Diaspora in national

 Empowering the Gambian Woman to realize her full potential
While significant steps have been taken for the empowerment of women through several
legislative
Whileacts, as well as
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itwelfare
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gender behind
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entrepreneurs, is and
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Gambian
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isthere and girls
therefore for sustained
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promote gender development.
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the Gambian will becontinues
women legislative toreforms and advocacy
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empowerment of will include
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this theme willof a fundgender
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development of
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to reduce women and girls for sustained socio-economic development. Key
reforms
womenand advocacy
entrepreneurs;forviolence.
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establishment
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fund
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participation
improve
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measures
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harmful include gender
traditional mainstreaming; capacity development of
genderreforms and advocacy reduction for programmes;
enhanced and practices, such
abolishing harmful
representation
as female practices,
traditional genital
women entrepreneurs; establishment of a fund to improveand participation
access to finance;inlegislative
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mutilation
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female
gender and
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and early marriage.
reforms and based
advocacy violence reduction
for enhanced programmes;and
representation andparticipation
abolishing harmful
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based violence genital mutilation
reduction programmes;(FGM) and and abolishing
early marriage.harmful traditional practices,
Enhancing
such as female the rolemutilation
genital of the (FGM) Gambian and early Diaspora
marriage.in national
development
Enhancing the role of the Gambian Diaspora in national
development
Enhancing the role of the Gambian Diaspora in national
development
The
Thesuspicion
suspicion and and antagonism
antagonismthat thatthethe former
former regimeregime
dictatorial had forhad theagainst
Diaspora is over.
the Diaspora
is over.
Government Government
recognises recognizes
and and
values values
the the Gambian
Gambian diaspora
diaspora
The suspicion and antagonism that the former dictatorial regime had against the asas important
important factors
actors and
in Diaspora
actorsis in
national over.national
development.
Governmentdevelopment.
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recognizes Theand NDP
Developmentheralds
values the aGambian
Plannew approach
heralds a
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effective
important and
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factors and
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productive
actors
effective andengagement
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productive and partnership between
development.
engagement Theand NDP government,
heralds
partnership a non-state
new
between actors to
approach andeffective
government, the and
is over. Government recognizes and values the Gambian diaspora as important factors and
diverse diaspora.engagement
Practical andand result-oriented diaspora-development programmesactors and and the
actorsproductive
non-state actors and
in national the diverse
development. partnership
The diaspora.
NDP between
heralds a new government,
Government approach will non-state
todevelop
effectiveand and
schemes,
diverse based on global
diaspora. best practice
Practical will be developed
and result-oriented and implemented. Aprogrammes
diaspora-development Gambia and
productive
implement engagement
practical and and partnership
result-oriented between government, non-state actors and the
Diaspora Directorate
schemes, based (GDD)
on will bebest
global created todiaspora-development
practice coordinate
will be government’s
developed and
programmes
work
implemented.
and
in optimizing A Gambia
diverse diaspora.
schemes, based Practical
on global andbestresult-oriented
practice. diaspora-development
It will create a key programmes
Gambia Diaspora and
diaspora input
Diaspora and contributions
Directorate towill
national development. Another intervention isinthe
schemes, based on global (GDD) best practice be will
created to coordinate
be developed government’s
and implemented. Awork
Gambia optimizing
Directorate
formulation
diaspora to coordinate
andinput
implementation
and its work in
of a Diaspora
contributions optimising
strategy.
to national diaspora
development. input and
Another contributions
Diaspora Directorate (GDD) will be created to coordinate government’s workkey intervention is the
in optimizing
to national
formulation development. Another of key initiativestrategy.
will be the formulation and
diaspora input andand implementation
contributions to national a Diaspora
development. Another key intervention is the
implementation
Promoting of a Diaspora
environmental strategy.
sustainability,
formulation and implementation of a Diaspora strategy. climate resilient
communities
Promoting and appropriate
environmental land use sustainability, climate resilient
communities
Promoting and appropriate
environmental land use
sustainability, climate resilient
communities and appropriate land use

Under the plan government aims to ensure that Gambia’s environment and
natural resources are sustainably managed and conserved to increase14 resilience
|Page
for the benefit of all. The interventions will focus on strengthening environment14 | P a g e
and Climate Change-friendly policies, programmes and awareness at14all| Plevels age
for resilience; emergency and disaster risk reduction and response at all levels –
including through the use of Early Warning Systems (EWS); and the sustainable
management of natural resources, and appropriate land use. Opportunities to tap
resources from global climate funds in order to launch the country on a low
carbon growth trajectory will be vigorously pursued.

19
 resources are sustainably
(EWS); managed theand conservedmanagement
to increase resilience for the benefit and
of
reduction
all. and response
The interventions will alland
atfocus levels
on – sustainable
including through
strengthening the use
environment andofof natural
Early
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resources,
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Change-friendly
(EWS); Opportunities to tap resources from globaland
climate funds inland
order to launch
policies,and the sustainable
programmes management
and awareness at all of natural
levels resources,
for resilience; appropriate
emergency and disasteruse.
risk
Opportunities to tap low carbon
resources growth
from globaltrajectory
climate will be
funds in vigorously
order to pursued.
launch the country on a
reduction and response at all levels – including through the use of Early Warning Systems
low carbon Making The Gambia a Digital Nation and creating a modern
(EWS); andgrowth trajectory
the sustainable will be
managementvigorously pursued.
of natural resources, and appropriate land use.
Making The Gambia information society
a Digital Nation and creating a modern
Opportunities to tap resources from global climate funds in order to launch the country on a
information society
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Making The Gambia a Digital Nation and creating a modern
information society
Government will harness Government the will
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A civil society that information
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development
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dictatorship have and dictatorship
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Decades ofpolicy, to benefit
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The availability of credible data to inform development policy and track effectiveness is
and to
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availability
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for both org
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takecost effective
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the generation and dissemination of credible development data for results based planning,
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national, regional and global development initiatives.
ment sustainable
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ce-based
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dible dataThe availability

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o improving
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resources,ICT and ICT
statistical governance, coordination of the National Statistical System and
improving data quality, enhancement of sustainable quality human resources, 15 | P a15
ge | P a
physical, ICT and statistical infrastructure. Attention will also be paid to the
production, dissemination and adequate monitoring and evaluating of quality
data. It is the government’s aim to forge partnerships for sustainable funding.

21
 How will the plan be implemented?

Government will put in place robust mechanisms to ensure that the plan is fully
and effectively implemented. The main elements for this are: clarity with respect
to the roles and responsibilities of key national actors and stakeholders;
appropriate institutional mechanisms; and a well thought-through implementation
strategy.

Roles and Responsibilities

Oversight and policy coordination for the National Development Plan will be
provided by:

The National Assembly;

Cabinet;
An Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee;
A Multi-Stakeholder National Coordinating Committee;
A Regional Governor’s and Municipalities Forum; and
A Government-Development Partners forum is also envisaged.

For technical and implementation oversight, the following mechanisms will be put
in place:
A National Technical Committee;
Technical Clusters;
A National Monitoring and Evaluation platform; and
Regional Technical Advisory Committee and cascading down to Ward levels.
Implementation Strategy
Several interconnected strategies shall drive implementation of the National
Development Plan, namely:
Rigorous prioritization and sequencing of actions;
Addressing regional disparities in access to basic services and
strengthening integrated urban planning;
Realignment of sector strategies and action plans to the overall
orientation of the National Development Plan;
Regional integration and cross-border cooperation; and
Capacity development.
22
23
 How do we know we are making progress?

Measuring progress is a critical element in the quest to ensure accountability for

delivery. The National Development Plan foresees the following:

A robust results framework;

Monitoring and Evaluation mechanisms; and

Strengthening government-citizens engagement.

The Results Framework

For each strategic priority and critical enabler of the National Development Plan,
key outcomes and results to be achieved have been identified to enable
measurement of progress. These are presented in annex 1 and 2 respectively.

Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms

The monitoring and the evaluation of the National Development Plan will be done
at three levels:

Executive level;

Sector level; and

Citizens’ level.

Executive level Monitoring and Evaluation

Presidential Monitoring and Evaluation System/Presidential Dashboard

that will allow the Executive to monitor and track selected key results and
outcomes of the plan at the highest level of government; and

A Delivery Unit situated in the Office of the President (OP) to ensure

implementation of the priorities and to manage the Presidential M&E
system.

24
Sector level Monitoring and Evaluation processes

Key features of the plan’s Monitoring and Evaluation system are the following:

A results matrix where each strategic priority and critical enabler has an
accompanying goal(s), a set of outcomes, indicators (disaggregated to an
appropriate level) with baselines and targets to facilitate the tracking and
reporting progress of implementation;
A Metadata for each indicator was also developed to provide definitions
and to serve as reference;
A system decentralized to the regional level to create and/or strengthen
linkages and synergies between the central government and the regions
through the Regional Technical Advisory Committees;
To ease Government’s burden in monitoring and reporting progress of
the international and regional agreements, the indicators in the National
Development Plan were closely matched to those from the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063. The aim is to have a
national Monitoring and Evaluation process that is uniform and a “one
stop shop” for all information on both national and international plans
and agreements;
To meet the growing demand for information and accurately report on
the progress of results on a timely basis, there will be: an annual review
of progress, tools, evaluations, capacity building; and
A web-based database will be housed and managed by the Gambia
Bureau of Statistics. This will provide a common and centrally located
database for the storage and easy retrieval of data on key development
indicators for the country.

Strengthening Government - Citizens’ Engagement

a) All public institutions will be required to develop and publish service

charters, which will outline the standards of service delivery that citizens
can expect;
b) Government will take action to better articulate its messages, and will
undertake public campaigns on key policy issues to mobilise public action
through simple messages using social media, posters, banners,
pamphlets, public education talks, radio and television

25
c) Government will set up forums for citizen engagement, and create
opportunities for citizens to interface with public officials at all levels
through town and village hall meetings, dialogue forums, panel
discussions, focus group discussions and other mechanisms such as
meet the people tours.

d) Digitally, the government will establish a presence on social media

platforms to strengthen engagement. Examples are with such platforms
as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Government will establish
a “Feedback Unit.” Its purpose will be to build social media platforms to
ensure a more active and engaged public.

e) Government will endeavour to create a new mind set among public

officials, such that they are citizen-focused and ready and willing to
respond positively to public concerns.

26
 What does the plan cost and how will it be resourced?

Cost of the Plan

To ensure full realization of the National Development Plan, Government has
formulated a financing strategy, which is presented in a separate document.

The total gross budget, without accounting for available resources, stands at
$US2.4 billion. The main cost drivers are energy and infrastructure (57 per cent),
agriculture (11.2 per cent) and human capital (8.34 per cent). Combined, the three
strategic priorities account for 76.5 per cent of the budget. With respect to the
highest cost driver, which is infrastructure and energy, some of the financing will
be acquired through PPP and other innovative financing models.

Government has identified flagships and priority projects for implementing the
plan. The total cost of these flagships and priority projects, after accounting for
committed resources is $US 1.6 billion, of which $US 157 (9 per cent) is expected
to be government contribution, $US 1.0 billion (62 per cent) from ODA and
$US 471 (29 per cent) from private sector investments.

Strategies to Mobilize Resources

To meet the financing needs of the plan, government will pursue three interlinked
strategies, in addition to traditional development assistance:

Concessionary financing;
Domestic resources mobilization; and
Innovative financing instruments.

Concessionary Financing

Because of the state of the economy, external support will be vital to enable The
Gambia to meet the immediate financing needs of the National Development Plan.
Limited fiscal space, due to high debt servicing, means that government has to rely
on grants and loans of a highly concessionary nature in order to avoid further debt
exposure and increasing the fiscal risks and vulnerability of the economy.
Government will work with both traditional and non-traditional partners to secure
the necessary financing.

27
Domestic Resource Mobilization

Reliance on domestic resourcing is becoming increasingly important for meeting

the financing needs of developing countries. Already the Gambia relies heavily on
taxation to finance government expenditure.

However, because of its debt servicing obligations, government has been unable
to allocate significant resources to finance development. In the context of the
National Development Plan, three measures will be adopted to increase
government’s contribution to implement its development agenda:

Continue the path of prudent fiscal management, sound monetary policy

and structural reforms which are expected to rationalize the budget;

Prudent debt management, especially domestic borrowing, and debt

restructuring, which will lead to increased fiscal space; and

More efficient revenue collections mechanisms and simplifying and

expanding the tax base.

Innovative Financing

To ensure the successful implementation of the National Development Plan,

critical focus must be anchored on alternative and more innovative ways of
financing. Public private partnerships, capital markets, blended finance among
other means will be explored as priorities to ensure sustainability and efficiency,
especially considering the modern economy and the global financing agenda of
moving away from overdependence on aid.

28
 What is your role in realizing the Plan, and what does it mean
for you?
The National Development Plan embodies the collective aspirations of all
Gambians, including those in the Diaspora. It emanated from the political
manifesto of Coalition 2016 that shattered the stranglehold of 22 years of
dictatorship. It was further given content and substance by the Government
Compact arrived at during the Cabinet retreat of 5-7 May 2017, which outlined
key government priorities.

The document also sums up the inputs from the 13 Thematic Working Groups set
up to prepare the plan, and comprising government ministries, civil society, private
sector and development partners. Opportunities were also provided to all
stakeholders to contribute and this process culminated in a validation workshop
held on 3rd October 2017 when the draft document was thoroughly reviewed.
The plan is therefore a “home-grown” high quality document, which must be
read, understood and acted upon by all.

The plan provides many avenues for participation by citizens and stakeholders.
There are mechanisms for robust citizen participation and engagement through
its accountability framework, which empowers them to provide their views and
feedback on government performance and effectiveness.

Each and every citizen can also capitalize on the opportunities that the plan
provides:

For the country’s young people, there are opportunities to build your
skills to become better entrepreneurs, to cater for your all-round
development and to strengthen your voice in decision-making;

For the farmers and the rural population, development of irrigation

systems, value chains and the introduction of modern production
technologies would ensure increase in rural incomes and ensure food
security and freedom from hunger;

29
 For the private sector, an improved business environment, reforms in the
tax system, access to credit, as well as better infrastructure and energy
services will provide new opportunities for growth;

For school children, a quality education foreseen in the plan paves the
way for satisfactory careers and capacity to realize your full potential;

For women, the removal of the socio-cultural barriers, strengthening your

participation in decision-making, as well as better economic opportunities
will lead to improved status and wellbeing for families;

For the poor and vulnerable, a greater security and assistance is provided
for by the plan through the proposed social protection interventions; and

For all citizens, the restoration of good governance, respect for human
rights and the rule of law means no one will be subjected to arbitrary
arrests, there will be freedom of expression, and the fundamental rights
of all will be respected and upheld.

The plan is yours so make use of it!!!

No one should be left behind!!!!

30
 Annex1: Key Outcomes and Results of the Eight Strategic Priorities of the NDP (2018-2021)
Strategic Priority 1: Restoring good governance, respect for human rights, the rule of law, and empowering citizens through
decentralization and local governance
Outcomes Key Results
 Enhanced good governance and freedom of expression  A revised Constitution by 2021
 Improved access to quality justice service (including the  An amended Criminal Code and Public Order Act by 2021
Ombudsman and ADRS), without undue delay by an  An amended Information and Communications Act,
independent and efficient Judiciary, Ombudsman and Children’s Act, Women’s Act, District Tribunal Act, and
ADRS Elections Act by 2021
 Human Rights and Democratic Institutions and  Fully functional Human Rights and Anti- Corruption
mechanisms established and strengthened Commissions in conformity with International standards by
2021
 Full compliance with reporting obligations under ratified
Human Rights Treaties
 A Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission by
2021
 An amended Ombudsman Act by 2021
 Fully functional Ombudsman, NALA and ADRS offices in all
the Administrative Regions by 2021
 Fully functional Courts and Tribunals in all the
Administrative Regions by 2021
 Indigenized judiciary and State Law Office by 2021
 Availability security sector assessment report
 A reformed security sector and establishment of civilian  Availability of an inclusive national security strategy
and democratic oversight mechanism guaranteed for  7 regions reached with sensitisation messages of the SSR
non-recurrence of serious human rights violations by the  Existence of a comprehensive communication plan
security forces  100 per cent of strategic level personnel trained on
management and decision making

 Effective and harmonized policies and regulatory
frameworks for enhanced coordination of the
decentralization programme
 Strengthened human and institutional capacities at all
levels for decentralization
 Expanded revenue base of Councils supported by
standardized financial management and accounting
systems
 Increased number of professional staff in total Council/LGA
staff from 8 to 52
 Increase in the number of functional decentralized
structures including VDCs, WDCs, SWDCs with
implemented action plans from 0% to 100%
 Increased proportion of LGAs/Councils with independent
control of their fiscal operations from 0% to 100%
 Increased existence of a financial management systems at
all LGAs from2 to 7
 A unified financial management systems in existence at all
LGA’s and Governors offices
 Existence of regional strategic plans in all regions.

Strategic Priority 2: Stabilizing our economy, stimulating growth, and transforming the economy
Outcomes Key Results
 Prudent fiscal management for debt sustainability and  Reduce overall deficit as % of GDP from 9.8 % to 3.0 %
enhanced resource alignment  Increase tax revenue by source as % of GDP from 18.05 %
 Transparent and accountable public financial (Tax) to 23.6% With respect to the Country’s debt burden,
management
the key results for the plan period are:
 Sound monetary policies in place for price and exchange
 Reduce net domestic borrowing as % of GDP from
rate stability
 Well-governed and financially viable SoEs for enhanced 11.4% to 1%
macro-economic stability and service delivery  Reduce total public debt stock as % of GDP from
 Enhanced, independent and autonomous economic 120.3% to 87.1%
governance institutions for effective macro-economic  Reduce domestic debt stock as % of GDP from 67.9%
management and stability to 45.1%

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Strategic Priority 3: Modernizing our agriculture and fisheries for sustained economic growth, food and nutritional security
and poverty reduction
Outcomes
 Consolidated agriculture sector policy with appropriate
sub-sector policies to create an enabling environment for
modern, market-led agriculture in place
 Value chains enhanced for Agriculture and Livestock 
Transformation
 Increased production of basic agricultural commodities
(crops and livestock) for enhanced food and nutrition
security
32
 Establish a budget variance (aggregate outturns compared
to original approved budget) from 40.95to 0 - (+-3%)
 Reduce procurement violations as % of total procurement
from 33.7 to <=5(Procurement)
 Improve competitive procurement methods (grade) from
grade D (2014) to grade B (20??)
 Reduce price stability measured by CPI from 7.1% to <=5%
An updated SOE/PE Act
 Availability of fiscal risk assessment reports
 Availability of yearly financial statements for all 13 SoEs
 Existence of a CBG revised Act and policy
Key Results
 An agricultural policy and sub-sectors with costed strategic
plans increased from 20% to 100%;
 An animal health Act;
 A phytosanitary Act
For agro-processed products by type (000’ Mt):
 Increase Fruits production from 127(000’ Mt) to
162(000’ Mt)
 Increase Vegetable production from 34 (000’ Mt) to 50
(000’ Mt)
 Increase Dairy production from 0.811 (000’ Mt) to 30
(000’ Mt)
 Increase Honey production from 5 (000’ Mt) to 6.5
(000’ Mt)
 Reduce % of post-harvest losses in major crops (cereal)
from 30% to 20%
 Increase production of basic agricultural commodities for
enhanced food and nutrition security as follows:
 Increase maize production from 38 (000’ Mt) to 43
(000’ Mt)
 Increase Groundnut production from 89 (000’ Mt) to
100 (000’ Mt)
 Increase rice production from 69 (000’ Mt) to 122
(000’ Mt)
 Increase onion production from 6 (000’ Mt) to 19
(000’ Mt)
 Increase tomato production from 4 (000’ Mt) to 15
(000’ Mt)
 Increase livestock production for food self-sufficiency in
animal and animal products- Volume of total production
by commodity (000’ Mt)
 Increase Cattle production from 4931 (56%)(000’ Mt)
to 5670 (000’ Mt)
 Increase sheep production from 449 (5%) (000’ Mt) to
750 (000’ Mt)
 Increase goat production from 988 (11%) (000’ Mt) to
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 Enhanced institutional efficiency and effectiveness for the
fisheries sector
 Value chains improved for fisheries and aquaculture
transformation
Strategic Priority 4: Investing in our people through improved education and health services, and building a caring society
Outcomes
 Enhanced access to quality and affordable early
childhood education nationwide
 Improved access and quality learning and relevant life
and livelihood skills for all graduates, with special
emphasis on STEM, Health, and Agriculture
1600 (000’ Mt)
 Increase pig’s production from 1166 (13%) (000’ Mt)
to 1400 (000’ Mt)
 Increase poultry (Local from 720(8%) to 1200; Broiler
from 562(6%) to 1150)
 Increase off-take rate by animal species as follows:
 Cattle from 11.9 to 15.9
 Sheep from 22.3 to 29.8
 Goat from 25.1 to 33.5
 Pigs from 50 to 66.8
 Poultry (Local from 40 to53.4; Broiler from
100 to 100)
 Increase average cattle milk production per/annum from
25,882,650 to 28,470,915 (litres)
 Increase quantity of eggs produced per/annum from 675
to1, 148 (000’Mt)
 A revised fisheries policy, act and regulations
 Increase fisheries as a percentage of GDP from 6.4% to
15%
 Increase total production of fish resources from 53719 to
75,000 tonnes
 Increase budget allocation to aqua culture development
from D 2,000,000 to D 10,000,000
 Increase the percentage of fish resources exported from
32% to 43%
Key Results
 Increase the proportion of ECD permanent structures
meeting the minimum standards from 57.5% (2017) to
62.5%
 Increase ECD gross enrolment Rate for Boys from 45.2% to
50.2% and for girls from 47.9% to 52,9%
 Increase % of trained ECD teachers (public) from 73% to
85%
 Increase % of pupils in grade 1 with ECD experience from
62% to 75%
 Increase gross enrolment rate at the LBS level from 108.6%
to 117% (national), from 105.4% to 114% (Boys) and from
111.8% to 116% (Girls)
 Increase gross enrolment rate at the UBS level from 67.4%
to 84% (National); from 65.0% to 73% (Boys); from 69.7%
to 76% (Girls);
 Increase gross enrolment rate at the SSS level from 45.9%
to 46% (National); from 44.5% to 46% (Boys); and from
46% to 47.1% (Girls)
 Increase completion rate at the LBS level from 78.7% to
97% (National); from 77.4% to 95% (Boys); from 80.0% to
97% (Girls)
 Increase completion rate at the UBS level from 58.9% to
79% (National); from 57.5% to 65% (Boys) and from 60.2%
to 68% (Girls)
 Increase completion rate at the SSS level from 37.7% to
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 Quality learning and relevant life and livelihoods skills
(post-secondary – i.e. post-secondary non-tertiary, post-
secondary tertiary and the post-secondary higher)
 Improved access to non-formal education and literacy 
programmes for out-of-school children, youth, and non-
lettered adults
 Strengthened Quality Health Service Delivery for
Reduction of Maternal, New-born, Infant, Child and
Adolescent Morbidity and Mortality and improvement of
Adolescent and Youth Health
34
41% (National); from 37.7% to 41% (Boys); and from 37.7%
to 41 % (Girl)
 Increase NAT competency rate at NAT 3 level by gender
from 54% (2016) to 59% (English); from 45.8% (2016) to
50% Mathematics
 Increase NAT competency rate at NAT 5 level by gender
from 55.4% (2016) to 60% (English); from 49.7% (2016)
to 54% (Mathematics); from 48.9% (2016) to 53% (Science)
 Increase NAT competency rate at NAT 8 level by gender
from 50.3% (2016) to 55% (English); from 38.9% (2016) to
43% Mathematics; and from 41.7% (2016) to 46% (Science)
 Increase GABECE pass rate by gender from 19% (2016) to
24% (National)
 Increase Percentage of GABECE students with 4 credits
including Mathematics and English from 5% to 7%
 Increase Percentage WASSCE students with 5 credits
including English and Mathematics from 4 % to 6%
(National) and disaggregated by gender
 Increase gross enrolment rates in post-secondary (19-25-
year olds) from 9.7% to 11%
 Increase percentage of graduate as proportion of total
gross enrolment by post-secondary levels at the Higher
Education level from 14% to 30% (national).
 Increase percentage of graduate as proportion of total
gross enrolment by post-secondary levels at the Tertiary
level from 43.4% to 50% (national)
 Decrease percentage of graduate as proportion of total
gross enrolment by post-secondary levels at the Non-
Tertiary level from 42.7% to 20% (national).
 Decrease percentage of graduate as proportion of total
enrolment by post-secondary levels at the Non-Tertiary
level from 42.7% to 20%
 Increase the number of Masters and PhDs graduated in
STEM, aggregated by gender from 0% to 140 (Masters) and
from 0% to 32% (PhD)
 Increase the number of Masters and PhDs graduated in
Agriculture, aggregated by gender from 0% to 50 (Masters)
and from 0% to 10% (PhD)
 Increase the number of Masters and PhDs graduated in
Health, aggregated by gender from 0% to 40 (Masters) and
from 0% to 10% (PhD)
 Increase percentages of accredited post secondary
institutions from 0% to 100%
Adult literacy rates by gender: National (55.1%); Males
(65.9%); and females (45%)
 Reduce MMR from 433/100000 in 2013 to 315/100000 in
2021
 Reduce U5MR from 54/1000 in 2013 to 44/1000in 2021
 Reduce NMR from 22/1000 in 2013 to 15/1000in 2021
 Increase skilled attendance at birth from 57% in 2013 to
80% in 2021
 Increase contraceptive prevalence rate from 9% in 2013 to
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 Reduced burden of communicable and non-
communicable diseases and enhanced capacity to
respond to public health emergencies
 Improved, equitable access to safe and affordable water
and sanitation, good hygiene practices, and
environmental protection promoted for all
 Improved nutritional well-being of all Gambians,
particularly mothers and children
 The poor and most vulnerable benefit from social safety
nets and social security as an integral part of a
sustainable, affordable, and effective social and child
protection systems
 Enhance inclusiveness and participation of persons with
disabilities in the National Development Agenda
35
25% by 2021
 Existence of a Health Governance Framework and Robust
Coordination and partnership mechanism
 Reduce the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension from
2.4% to 2% and 24% to 20% by 2021respectively
 Percentage of adult and children with HIV known to be on
treatment 12 months after initiation of antiretroviral
therapy increased from 78.8% in 2017 to 95% in 2021
 Reduce mother to child transmission of HIV at six weeks
from 10% to less than 5% by 2021
 Increase the coverage of anti-retroviral therapy from 21%
to 90% by 2021
 Reduce the prevalence of TB by 2% annually from
118/100000 to 108/100000 by 2021.
 Reduce Malaria morbidity from 157/1000 pop. to 94/1000
and mortality from 15/100000 to 9/100000 by 2021
 Reduce the prevalence of viral hepatitis from 10% to 5% by
2021
 Increase the proportion of the population with access to
safe drinking water from 89.6% to 100%
 Increase proportion of the population with access to
improved sanitation facilities from 64.9% to 75%
 Increase the proportions of households with a place for
hand washing with soap and water from 30.3% to 60%
(Urban) and from 26% to 50% (Rural)
 Decrease prevalence of underweight among children
under 5 from 16% to 8.5%by 2021
 Decrease prevalence of stunting among children under 5
from 22.9% to 12.5%by 2021
 Decrease prevalence of GAM among children under 5 from
10.3% to 5.0% by 2021
 Increase prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding rate for six
months from 48% to 60% by 2021
 Decrease the proportion of pregnant women with anaemia
from 67.9% to 40%
 Decrease prevalence of underweight in non-pregnant
women from 16.7% to 10%
 Decrease the proportion of the population who are food
insecure from 37.2% to 20%
 Increase proportion of children whose births are registered
under one year from 35.3% (MICS 2010) to 50%
 Increase proportion of children under 5 whose births are
registered from 72% (DHS 2013) to 90%
 Increase proportion of beneficiaries under the safety nets
programme from 25% to 80%
 Existence of a social health insurance scheme
 Increase the proportion of social welfare officers per capita
from 3/30,000 to 5/20,000
 Existence of child labour policy
 Existence of child protection coordination mechanism
 Reduce rates of early child marriage from 46 to 36%
 Increase number of representatives for persons with
disabilities in the national assembly from 1 to 3 by 2021
 Increase number of special schools for persons with
disabilities from 3 to 4 (urban) and 1 to 3 (rural);
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  A revolving fund for persons with disabilities established
 Increase the number of rehabilitation services facilities
from 1 to 3 by 2021
Strategic Priority 5: Building our infrastructure and restoring energy services to power our economy (Energy, Transport and
Public Works)
Outcomes Key Results

 Improved policy and regulatory frameworks for
sustainable energy and infrastructure
 improved access to electricity and enhanced household
energy security for sustainable economic development
 Petroleum resources and products developed for
sustainable national development
 Availability of national energy and petroleum policy
 Existences of revised tariffs
 Increase the number of regulations for downstream
operations from 3 to 7
 Increase % of population with access to electricity from
40% to 60%
 Increase electricity installed capacity in MW from 102 to
250
 Reduce % of electricity losses from 25% to 17%
 Increase share of renewable energy in total electricity
generation from 2% to 40%

 Enhanced land, river, sea and air transport for  Increase % of the primary road network in good condition
affordability, accessibility, and competitiveness (paved) from 80% to 100%
 Increase operational capacity of air transport facilities in
BIA from 326,757 to 500,000 persons
 250 km reconstructed urban roads in the Greater Banjul
Area
 514 kms of Rural feeder roads built
 Existence of a dual carriageway from sting corner to
Airport junction
 Existence of a bypass from Sting corner to Abuko
 Increase the number of new roads constructed from 0 to 3
 Increase the number of new bridges constructed from 0 to
2
 Expansion of Banjul port
 Existence of a “dry port” in Basse
 Revitalized river transport system
 Existence of an updated National Transport Policy
 Improved management and provision of public works  Existence of a national public buildings and facilities policy
infrastructure for enhanced socio-economic development
Strategic Priority 6: Promoting an inclusive and culture-centred tourism for sustainable growth
Outcomes Key Results
 Enhanced contribution of Tourism for Economic Growth  Increase the number of Tourist arrivals by source markets
and Employment Opportunities from 161,127 to 350,000
 Cultural Assets Integrated into the Tourism Industry and  Increase direct employment for Gambians from 35,000 to
70,000
Promoted
 Increase foreign exchange earnings from $85 million
to $170million
 Increase the amount of funds allocated to the promotion
of culture from D4.2million to D10million
 Increase the number of upgraded cultural heritage sites
from 1 to 3
 Existence of a multi-purpose cultural centre
Strategic Priority 7: Reaping the demographic dividend through an empowered youth

Outcomes Key Results

• Gainful employment opportunities created and 36
•

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Strategic Priority 7: Reaping the demographic dividend through an empowered youth
Outcomes
• Gainful employment opportunities created and •
entrepreneurial skills developed for Gambian youth
• Physical, mental, social wellbeing, sexual and
reproductive health and rights is improved for young
people, including persons with disability in the Gambia
• Harmonized rights-based policies and improved
coordination of programmes and interventions related to
youth and sports
• Sports promoted and competencies developed for
effective participation in national and international
competitions for sporting excellence and glory
Strategic Priority 8: Making the private sector the engine of growth, transformation, and job creation.
Outcomes
 Upgraded policies, laws, and regulations, for efficient
functioning of the labour market
 Promoted and facilitated trade, investment, and private 
sector development
 MSME and industrial growth enhanced
 Enhanced skills for employment and employability
 National quality infrastructure improved
of culture from D4.2million to D10million
 Increase the number of upgraded cultural heritage sites
from 1 to 3
 Existence of a multi-purpose cultural centre
Key Results
• Availability of revised National Youth policy and Act
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Existence of an inclusive entrepreneurship e
• Reduced youth unemployment (15-35yrs) from 35.3% to
25%
• Existence of a youth development fund
• Existence of regulatory standards for Youth organizations
and facilities
• Increased youths accessing reproductive health services to
50%
• Availability of a revised national sports policy and act
Existence of regulatory standard for sports organizations
and facilities
• Increased numbers of sports academies established from 0
to 2
• Increased number of youth friendly centres from 3 to 7
• Existence of a multi-purpose indoor sports facility
Key Results
 An updated National Employment Policy and Action Plan
(NEAP)
 A revised Labour Act and regulations
 Increase the number of updates in the Labour Market
Information System from 0 to 8
Increase total exports as a percentage of GDP from 9.4%
(2015) to 17%
 Increase the area of land utilized out of the total land
reserved for investment from4.4 to 164 Hectares
 Increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as a percentage of
GDP from 2.4% (2014) to 5%
 Increase the number of regions with reserved land for
investment from 1 region to 6 regions
 Increase the proportion of MSME’s contribution to
employment from 62% (MSME mapping 2013) to 75%
 Increase the MSME contribution to GDP from 20% to 30%
 Increase the manufacturing contribution to GDP from 5%
(2016) to 7%
 Decrease the unemployment rate disaggregated by
(male/female/disability) from29% (2012) to 20%
 Decrease youth unemployment (male/female/disability)
from 38% (2012) to 30%
37
 Annex 2: Key Outcomes and Results of the Seven Critical Enablers of the NDP
(2018-2021)
Critical Enabler 1: A public sector that is efficient and responsive to the citizenry
Outcomes Key Results
 Appropriately remunerated, motivated, and  Increase change in salaries and pensions payments as % of
well managed public service GDP from 0% to 5%
 Increase the number of MDAs inspected (staff inspection
exercises) from 0 to 18 (covering all ministries)
 Increase the number of staff audit exercises from 0 to 3
 Existence of a Pay and Pensions Policy
Critical Enabler 2: Empowering the Gambian Woman to realize her full potential
Outcomes Key Results
 Enhanced women’s economic empowerment  Increase the number of gender mainstreamed sector policies
and sustainable livelihoods from 4 to 16
 Increased representation and participation of  Decrease proportion of female headed households below the
women in decision-making
poverty line from 24.6% to 22%
 Gender-based violence reduced
 Existence of an enterprise development fund;
 Increase proportion of seats held by women in national
parliaments from 10% to at least 30%
 Increase the proportion of women holding ministerial
positions from 21% to 30%
 Decrease the proportion of girls and women aged 15-49 who
have undergone FGM/C from 76.3% to 50%
 Decrease the proportion of women who are subjected to
physical violence from 40.9% to 10%
 Existence of a centre for survivors of domestic violence

Critical Enabler 3: Enhancing the role of the Gambian diaspora in national development
Outcomes Key Results
 Structured and facilitative approach to  A Diaspora strategy validated by 50 Ministries, Departments
diaspora engagement and Agencies (MDA)
 Leveraging Diaspora remittances and  A Gambia Diaspora Directorate with focal points in 50 MDAs,
investment embassies and missions
 protection of vulnerable migrants and  Capacity developed for 2,500 government and NSA personnel
facilitation of regular pathways on Diaspora development
 Active and enhanced participation in national  Transaction cost of remittances sent to The Gambia reduced to
policy and development practice an average of 3%
 20 Diaspora Direct Investments (DDIs) and issue 2 Diaspora
Bonds facilitated
 Co-financing of 100 civil society and social impact projects
from the Diaspora Development Fund (DDF)
 Irregular (back-way) migrants reduced by 60%
 Negotiate and sign 4 migration and development bilateral
agreements
 Facilitate circular migration contracts for 350 skilled migrant
workers
 Complete full registration of diaspora voters, and oversee
diaspora voting in Presidential elections
 Facilitate 14 representatives of the diaspora to have observer
status in the 7 Local Government Areas

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Critical Enabler 4: Promoting environmental sustainability, climate resilient communities and appropriate land use
Outcomes
 Environment and climate change-friendly  Decrease CO2 emission from Btw 2118 to 2528 GgCo2e (2016)
policies, programmes and awareness
strengthened at all levels for resilience
 Emergency and disaster risk reduction and
response strengthened at all levels
 Natural resources sustainably managed and
utilized
 Create platform for 50 diaspora-development organizations,
covering 10 sectors, in 3 continents
 Access and utilize the services of 100 highly skilled diaspora
professionals
Key Results
to Btw 967.9 to 1155 GgCo2e
 Availability of a updated NEMA
 Increase the number of communities implementing adaptive
mechanisms from 10 to 100
 Increase the % of wildlife protected areas for coastal and
marine from 7.4% to 10%
 Increase the % of wildlife protected areas for terrestrial and
inland from 0.16% to 1%
 Increase the area of forest under community management
from 50,000 hectares to 70,000 hectares
 EWEA DRR and CC Available nationwide
 Increase community based non-wood forest products/services
enterprises from 80 to 100.

 Strengthened policy environment and tools for  Availability of a national land policy
appropriate land use planning and  Availability of a Land Use plan
management  Availability of a Cadastral map of the country

Critical Enabler 5: Making The Gambia a Digital Nation and Creating a modern information society
Outcomes Key Results
 Enhanced ICT infrastructure and services for  Increase the % of population using the internet daily from
increased access to quality broadband services 46.8% to 90%
and solutions to support inclusive and  Increase the proportion of population with access to mobile
sustainable development
phones from 78.9% to 90%
 Increase the proportion of schools connected to broadband
internet from 6% to 12%
 Existence of National Information and communications
Infrastructure policy II

Critical Enabler 6: A civil society that is engaged and is a valued partner in national development
Outcomes Key Results
 Civil society positioned as representative,  Availability of a revised NGO Act
dynamic and credible consortium  Increase the proportion of communities trained on HRBA and
 Enhanced relationship maintained with Social Accountability from 0% to 80%
government and other stakeholders  Conduct annual NGO Forum
 Effective, relevant, and sustainable services  Availability of an updated strategic plan
delivered in a participatory way  Availability of a resource mobilization strategy
 Increase the level of investment from low to high
 Increase the level of CSO participation in Government decision
making platforms from low to high
 Increase the level of NGO representation in government
delegations to international for a from low to high

Critical Enabler 7: Strengthening evidence-based policy, planning and decision-making

Outcomes Key Results
39 33 | P a g e
  Increase the level of CSO participation in Government decision
making platforms from low to high
 Increase the level of NGO representation in government
delegations to international for a from low to high

Critical Enabler 7: Strengthening evidence-based policy, planning and decision-making

Outcomes Key Results
Statistical governance, coordination of the NSS and  Existence of a revised Statistics Act
data quality enhanced 33 | P a g e
 Increase in functional statistic units in MDAs, including LGAs
Enhanced and sustained quality human resources, from 10 to 100
physical, ICT and statistical infrastructures  Existence of functional NSS coordination/steering committee
Quality data produced, disseminated and  Availability of data quality frameworks
adequately monitored and evaluated  Increase in number of trained professionals from 20 to 50
Sustainable funding and partnerships  Increase in proportion of censuses and surveys completed
from 0 to 100
 Availability of a CRVS system
 Increase in proportion of statistical reports and data on GBOS
portal from 35% to 100%
 Existence of number of NDP indicators from 0 to 100%
 Government budget allocation increased from less than 1% to
5%
 Increase number of chapters of professional societies from 0
to 2
 Establish an NDP result measurement database

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