Banjul, 24th February 2025: The Gambia Government, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), recently convened The Gambia Country Engagement Framework (CEF) 2024-2026 seminar and launch of the working group, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo.
The Country Engagement Framework (CEF) for The Gambia 2024-2026 has been thoughtfully crafted to propel green growth and fortify resilience. Based on Government’s request, the CEF delineates the specific focus areas for the IsDB Group’s interventions, offering a well-designed roadmap that carefully considers the distinctive aspects of The Gambia’s developmental landscape.
The Working Group is being established to oversee the successful implementation of the CEF for The Gambia 2024-2026.
The group will serve as the primary coordination body to ensure that the CEF’s strategic objectives are met, projects are executed efficiently, and stakeholders are fully engaged throughout the process.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mamadi Dampha, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA), stated that the CEF emphasises essential elements crucial for successful implementation, to ensure the realisation of anticipated outcomes throughout its duration.
This strategy according to him has been developed drawing insights from IsDB Group’s valuable lessons learned in past engagements. It has also been enriched by the findings of the IsDB Country Diagnostic Study (CDS) and has evolved through high-level dialogues, thoughtful consultations, and engaging discussions with the government of The Gambia.
“The development process involved undertaking technical missions and hosting bilateral meetings with key stakeholders and representatives from the development partners and private sector. The culmination of these efforts ensures that the strategy is a well-informed and collaborative roadmap for impactful engagement,” he elaborated.
DPS Dampha also noted that it is evident that everyone present recognizes the continuous efforts and collaboration of the IsDB in supporting The Gambia in fulfilling its development aspirations by providing essential financial assistance as needed.
He further highlighted the government’s commitment to ensure the effective implementation of the country’s Recovery Focus - National Development Plan (RF-NDP), which aims to transform The Gambia into a middle-income economy.
“To achieve this objective, the government is diligently mobilizing resources from its donor partners to support the national development agenda through the execution of various projects and programs,” he added.
E. Omar Davis, P.E., Country Operations Manager, Regional Hub Dakar, Senegal Islamic Development Bank, reflected on the IsDB’s forty-five years of partnership for the development of The Gambia.
He added that since 1980, the IsDB has financed over 1.2 billion USD in development financing. Thirty% approximately 426 million USD in project financing in the agriculture, education, energy, health, ICT, transport, water and sanitation sectors.
“As we launch the country engagement framework 2024, 2026, with an indicative financing envelope of approximately 400 million and the CEF working group today, we wish you success in today’s discussions and the success of the working group that will steer this process over the next three years,” he concluded.
By Fatou B. Cham
Gov’t, IsDB Discuss Gambia Country Engagement Framework 2024-2026
