By Fatou B. Cham
The World Bank has urged The Gambia to step up climate action and scale up investment in resilience, warning that climate change is already affecting the country’s development path and could significantly slow economic growth if not addressed.
Speaking at the launch of the Gambia Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), Ellysar Baroudy said the country is facing increasing climate-related shocks, including frequent flooding, erratic rainfall and coastal erosion, all of which are impacting livelihoods and infrastructure.
She noted that these challenges reflect a broader and ongoing shift with serious implications for economic stability and development planning.
According to the report, The Gambia contributes less than 0.01 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions but remains among the most climate-vulnerable countries. More than 60 per cent of the population lives in coastal and urban areas exposed to flooding, erosion and extreme heat.
The CCDR warns that climate change could reduce the country’s GDP by up to 9 percent by 2050 if current trends continue, driven by falling agricultural productivity, infrastructure damage, heat stress and growing pressure on public finances.
However, Baroudy stressed that the projected losses can be significantly reduced.
“With the right investments and policy choices, more than half of these losses can be avoided,” she said, adding that climate action should be seen not only as a necessity but also as a sound economic strategy.
She identified three priority areas: protecting critical assets, particularly in the Greater Banjul Area, through coastal protection, improved drainage and long-term planning; unlocking investment by addressing constraints such as high energy costs, limited access to finance and infrastructure gaps; and strengthening implementation by translating existing policies into concrete, bankable projects backed by stronger institutional coordination.
Baroudy added that public investment will be key to attracting private sector financing, especially in renewable energy, tourism and agribusiness.
She described the CCDR as both a warning and an opportunity, calling for development choices that build resilience, diversify the economy and reduce long-term vulnerability.
“The World Bank Group remains committed to supporting The Gambia in this journey,” she said, stressing the need for close collaboration between government, the private sector and development partners to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth.
