By Amie Choi
The Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, with support from the World Bank through the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project 2 (WACA ResIP2), recently convened a national validation workshop for Gambia’s first-ever National Land Policy (NLP), at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre. This initiative marked a key milestone in the country’s ongoing land reform efforts.
The Draft Policy, finalised in February 2025, was widely circulated among both local and international stakeholders for feedback. The comments received were reviewed and incorporated into the final draft presented for validation at the workshop.
Speaking during the opening session, the Minister of Lands, Hon. Hamat NK Bah, emphasised the significance of the policy in addressing key national priorities, such as land tenure security, equitable land access, sustainable land use, and gender-responsive land governance.
He also stressed the need to protect our documents to avoid malpractices in the land administration sector. “Land has become an important issue, and this country needs to take this with full responsibility as to how we manage and use land. The time has come for us to say yes, we’ve got to do it. The law must be implemented, and we call on the judiciary to reinforce it,” Hon. Bah stressed.
The World Bank Senior Land Administration Specialist, Camille Bourguifnon-Roger, explained the significance of land and commended the Gambia government for this achievement. “…It is critical for economic development, sustainable development, and social stability. The government of The Gambia and the Ministry of Lands have a key role in defining the vision and direction of the land sector. The World Bank has been supporting governments for 70 years in the field of land administration. I want to commend the government for ensuring that this document reflects the views of the public,” he said.
Dr. Muhammed Sanyang, WACA Project Coordinator, spoke on the importance of lands. “Land is the foundation of agriculture, housing, infrastructure, and investment. But more than that, it is the foundation of identity, peace, and national cohesion. Mismanaged land can be a source of conflict. Properly governed land, however, is a catalyst for resilience, justice, and inclusive growth,” he explained.
Mr. Abdou Touray, the National Land Policy Coordinator, explained that once approved by cabinet, the National Land Policy is expected to become the central framework for guiding land administration and management in The Gambia. He added that it will also serve as a strategic response to the Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (2023–2027) and broader efforts to promote social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience.
In addition to the policy, a draft Implementation Plan with costing is being developed to guide the future execution of the policy’s objectives.
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government institutions, international organisations, civil society, community representatives, development partners, and international experts.
