AGP Executive Report

Food Security & Prices: The government says it can’t impose price controls, but will keep monitoring markets and prioritise clearance of essential imports to avoid shortages; it also maintained fertiliser at D1,100 per bag for the 2026 season, backed by a D1.601bn subsidy. Climate & Flooding: A geology expert disputes a minister’s claim linking road flooding to Casamance river water, saying it’s mainly urban flooding driven by rain and drainage. Health & Environment: A Gambia-led push under the DiGES project promotes climate-resilient fruits and vegetables, with research highlighting the cost gap between basic and fully diversified diets. Ocean & Fisheries: Our Ocean Conference in Kenya ended with $6.4bn in ocean pledges, including marine protection, fisheries monitoring and action on pollution. Governance & Local Capacity: GALGA and councils rolled out strategies to strengthen resource mobilisation and local governance financing, supported by EU-UNDP GREAT. Maritime Security: A new Gulf of Guinea task force led by six countries, including The Gambia, targets piracy and illegal fishing to protect the region’s blue economy. Malaria Awareness: Multiple pieces spotlight mosquitoes and malaria risk, underlining the need for sustained control as mosquitoes adapt.

Ocean & Fisheries: The Our Ocean Conference in Kenya wrapped up with $6.4bn in voluntary ocean pledges, including marine protected areas, fisheries monitoring, climate finance, and steps to cut marine pollution—plus calls to turn promises into action. Food Security & Environment: Government says fertiliser will stay at D1,100 per bag for 2026, backed by a D1.601bn subsidy, to protect farm output despite Gulf-linked supply shocks. Water & Flooding: A geology expert pushes back on claims linking Gambia’s flood crisis to Casamance water, saying the problem is mainly urban flooding driven by rain and drainage limits. Malaria & Mosquitoes: Multiple stories during Insect Week highlight how mosquitoes—especially Anopheles species—remain central to malaria transmission and why research is still urgent as adaptation and drug resistance threaten progress. Local Governance: GALGA launched leadership and council resource-mobilisation strategies with EU-UNDP GREAT support, aiming for more transparent, predictable local funding. Migration & Youth: A National Youth Council dialogue in Kanifing tackles youth irregular migration realities and promotes education and local economic options as alternatives.

Digital Finance & Inclusion: Wave met Cameroon’s regulators and tax and telecom bodies to push safer digital payments and broader financial inclusion. Local Governance & Accountability: GALGA launched EU-UNDP GREAT-supported leadership training and unveiled council resource-mobilisation strategies to strengthen transparency and predictable local funding. Climate-Resilient Food Systems: NaNA and partners closed the DiGES project push for diversified diets resilient to climate change, with household diet costs highlighted. Tourism vs Mining Safeguards: GTBoard and the Department of Geology signed a framework to protect TDA resources and streamline investor processes via a joint committee. Flooding Explanation Clash: A geology expert disputes claims linking Gambia’s flood crisis to Casamance water, saying it’s mainly urban rainwater flooding and drainage issues. Food Prices & Fertiliser Support: Government says it won’t control food prices, but will monitor markets and prioritise port clearance; fertiliser stays at D1,100 per bag with subsidy backing. Ocean Conservation: Our Ocean Conference in Kenya ended with $6.4bn in pledges and calls for action on marine protection and pollution. Mosquitoes & Malaria: Multiple pieces focus on mosquito science and rising malaria pressure, underlining the need for continued control. Migration & Youth: A National Youth Council dialogue tackled irregular migration realities and alternatives for young people. Maritime Security: A new Gulf of Guinea task force led by Gambia and others targets piracy and illegal fishing to protect the blue economy.**

Climate & Health: A new report links extreme heat to worse pregnancy outcomes, with health workers in Kenya’s Kilifi describing more miscarriages and complications tied to high temperatures, anaemia, and limited clean water and care. Malaria & Mosquitoes: Multiple pieces for Insect Week spotlight why mosquitoes remain central to Africa’s malaria burden, focusing on Anopheles species and how they thrive near people. Oceans & Fisheries: The Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa ended with commitments on banning deep-sea mining, protecting coral reefs, and tackling illegal fishing; meanwhile, the Mombasa Declaration gathered countries including The Gambia to strengthen fisheries transparency and fight IUU fishing. Maritime Security: A new Gulf of Guinea rapid-response task force—led by six countries including The Gambia—aims to curb piracy, illegal fishing, and other blue-economy threats. Food Security & Inputs: Gambia keeps fertiliser at D1,100 per bag for 2026, citing Gulf supply disruptions and a D1.601bn subsidy to protect farmers. Governance & Environment Risk: Parliament hears defence budget limits are affecting fuel, maintenance, training and logistics—pressures that can also spill into environmental and disaster response capacity. Water & Health Systems: WHO validated Tunisia’s trachoma elimination, underscoring the role of water, sanitation and hygiene in preventing preventable blindness.

Migration & Borders: A new report frames irregular migration as a daily Gambian reality tied to jobs, remittances, and weak border infrastructure, with limited surveillance and enforcement budgets leaving remote crossings harder to monitor. Extreme Heat & Health: A climate-health story highlights how rising temperatures and deforestation worsen pregnancy risks, with clinicians linking heat stress and anaemia to miscarriage and complications. Malaria & Mosquitoes: Insect Week coverage revisits why mosquitoes remain central to Africa’s malaria fight, focusing on Anopheles’ role and why adaptation and control are still hard. Fisheries & Illegal Fishing: The Mombasa Declaration adds momentum for regional cooperation on fisheries transparency and tackling IUU fishing, with The Gambia among signatories. Ocean Protection: The Our Ocean Conference in Kenya drew African leadership on deep-sea mining pauses, coral protection, and waste cuts—urging pledges to be backed by action. Food Security Inputs: Government keeps fertiliser at D1,100 per bag for 2026, citing Gulf supply-chain turbulence and a D1.601bn subsidy to protect farmers. Electricity Risk: A Gambia For All warning links prolonged outages to economic damage and argues for more domestic power generation to cut import dependence.

Gulf of Guinea Security: A new Combined Maritime Task Force led by The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire targets piracy, illegal fishing and other maritime crimes across 26 countries—key for protecting the region’s “blue economy.” Illegal Fishing & Ocean Protection: Fifteen countries adopted the Mombasa Declaration at Kenya’s Our Ocean Conference, backing fisheries transparency and action against IUU fishing; The Gambia is among the signatories. Marine Pollution & Deep-Sea Mining: The Our Ocean Conference also saw commitments on banning deep-sea mining, protecting climate-resilient coral reefs, improving waste management to cut marine pollution, and expanding marine protected areas—though pledges now need real follow-through. Electricity & Climate Risk: A Gambian lawmaker warns prolonged power outages and electricity import dependence are damaging food, jobs and business output, echoing wider vulnerability to shocks. Mosquitoes & Malaria: Insect Week coverage highlights why mosquitoes—especially Anopheles gambiae—are so central to malaria research, with adaptation and survival driving ongoing public health pressure. Fisheries Governance: A fisheries professionals group says it is strengthening its role through a funded project aimed at better coordination and decision-making in the sector.

Fisheries & Ocean Governance: The Gambia signed on to the Mombasa Declaration at Kenya’s Our Ocean Conference, backing stronger fisheries transparency and a joint push against illegal fishing across borders. Maritime Security: A new Gulf of Guinea rapid-response maritime task force—led by Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone—aims to curb piracy, illegal fishing and other threats to the region’s “blue economy.” Health & Mosquitoes: Insect Week coverage highlights why mosquitoes remain central to malaria research, focusing on Anopheles gambiae’s role in transmission near human settlements. Water, Waste & Climate Action: Our Ocean Conference delegates made hundreds of commitments, including waste-management improvements to cut marine pollution and steps toward climate-resilient coral reefs—now needing real follow-through. Electricity & Environment Risk: A political critique warns prolonged power outages and reliance on imported electricity are worsening food spoilage and business losses, with knock-on impacts for livelihoods and resilience. Agriculture Finance: GIRAV awards over D156M to 214 farmers and agribusiness groups, supporting value chains and domestic food production. Capacity Building: MFWA opened applications for a 3-day Africa–China relations reporting workshop for journalists in Anglophone West Africa.

Youth & Migration: NYC and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) held an intergenerational dialogue in Kanifing on the causes and consequences of youth irregular migration, pushing education, entrepreneurship and local economic options as practical alternatives. Sports Infrastructure: President Barrow inaugurated the Omar Amadou Jallow (OJ) mini-stadium in Serekunda Central, upgrading community sport with standard pitches and courts. Fisheries & Illegal Fishing: 15 countries adopted the Mombasa Declaration to boost fisheries transparency and fight IUU fishing through shared data and harmonised rules—Gambia included. Electricity & Food Security: A Gambian economist warns of a looming electricity crisis tied to reliance on imported power, linking outages to spoiled food, higher costs and weaker production. Malaria & Mosquitoes: Insect Week coverage highlights how malaria mosquitoes adapt and why understanding Anopheles gambiae is key to tackling rising malaria burdens. Climate Perception: New survey data shows people often underestimate how much others care about climate action—an opening for stronger public support. Health System Costs: The Health Minister says rising medical costs are driven by limited resources and dependence on imported supplies. Applied Science Pipeline: Barrow urged engineering graduates to drive national development via a Graduate Engineering Deployment Programme under USET’s expansion.

Fisheries & Ocean Governance: 15 countries, including The Gambia, adopted the Mombasa Declaration to boost fisheries transparency and fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by sharing data and harmonising rules. Climate & Community Resilience: Residents along Kotu Stream say they haven’t seen the WACA ResIP 2 team despite demarcation work, raising fears as rains approach about flooding risk and possible relocation. Health & Mosquitoes: WHO-linked reporting highlights rising malaria cases and why mosquitoes keep adapting, with Insect Week (22–28 June) spotlighting the need for better mosquito control. Electricity & Environment-Linked Risk: A GFA official warns The Gambia’s electricity crisis is driven by reliance on imported power, with knock-on effects for food spoilage, business costs and jobs. Agriculture & Food Security: A World Bank-supported GIRAV matching grant scheme awarded funds to 214 farmers and agribusiness groups, aiming to strengthen value chains and boost domestic food production. Regional Climate Perception: A new survey graphic finds people often underestimate how much others also worry about climate change—useful for shaping local action.

Coastal Climate Resilience: Residents along Kotu Stream say they’ve not heard from the WACA ResIP 2 team as rains approach, raising fears about flooding, relocation, and drainage work meant to protect over 200,000 people and cut erosion and pollution. Health & Malaria: WHO reports global malaria cases rose by 9 million in 2024, with scientists warning mosquito adaptation is outpacing control efforts—an urgent reminder for Gambia’s malaria fight. Fisheries Governance: Gambia is among signatories to the Mombasa Declaration at the Our Ocean Conference, pushing better vessel data sharing and stronger action against illegal fishing. Electricity & Food Security: A Gambian economist warns of an electricity crisis tied to heavy import dependence, linking power outages to spoiled food, higher costs, and weaker production. Engineering for Sustainability: President Barrow launches plans for a Graduate Engineering Deployment Programme, stressing engineers for drainage, renewable energy, and environmental solutions. Public Health Progress (Regional): WHO validated Tunisia’s trachoma elimination, highlighting how water, sanitation, and hygiene investments can prevent preventable blindness.

Coastal Flood Risk & WACA Delays: Residents along Kotu Stream say they haven’t seen officials for months as rains approach, raising fears about whether homes marked under WACA ResIP 2 will be protected or relocated; the World Bank-funded project aims to restore the 11.2km stream and cut flooding and pollution. Electricity Crisis: A Gambian opposition figure warns prolonged power outages are damaging food and business activity, blaming reliance on imported electricity instead of stronger domestic generation. Malaria Update: Global malaria cases rose in 2024, and scientists say mosquito adaptation is outpacing control efforts—Insect Week coverage highlights why Anopheles mosquitoes thrive near people. Engineering for Climate & Infrastructure: President Barrow announced a Graduate Engineering Deployment Programme tied to USET expansion, including new colleges for energy, computer engineering, and building environment—aimed at solving national infrastructure and environmental challenges. Fisheries Transparency Push: Gambia is among countries backing the Mombasa Declaration to share fisheries data and fight illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Rainfall Unevenness: Foroyaa reports no rain in parts of West Coast/Banjul while the east received seasonal rains after 15 June, leaving farmers anxious about planting losses.

Coastal Climate Resilience: Residents along Banjul’s Kotu Stream say they haven’t seen officials for months as rains approach, raising fears about flooding and whether homes marked under the World Bank-funded WACA ResIP 2 will be protected or relocated. Rainfall Risk Watch: Foroyaa reports a worrying east–west rain split after 15 June, with no rain in Banjul and the West Coast, leaving farmers exposed to dry spells and pest outbreaks. Ocean Protection & Fisheries: At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Gambia joined the Mombasa Declaration pushing better vessel data and transparency to fight illegal fishing; West Africa also urged protection for the Eastern Atlantic and announced a joint regional marine protected area. Mosquitoes & Health Debate: A new discussion weighs whether mosquito population control—like releasing sterile males—could curb malaria and other diseases, and whether total elimination is desirable. Food Security Cooperation: A Guinea report highlights Chinese hybrid rice support that boosts yields and incomes, with similar agricultural capacity-building described across the region including The Gambia. Youth, Education & Sustainability: VP Barrow commended Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps at USET’s convocation, with the theme linking innovation to sustainable development.

Weather & Farming: Foroyaa reports a worrying rain split: seasonal rains began in the east on 15 June 2026, but there has been no rain in Banjul and the West Coast, raising fears for farmers’ sowing plans and seed losses. Ocean Protection: West African governments, including The Gambia, are pushing for the Eastern Atlantic to be in the first wave of marine protected areas under a high-seas treaty, with a regional joint MPA announced to protect key resources and livelihoods. Fisheries Transparency: Fifteen countries adopted the Mombasa Declaration at the Our Ocean Conference, backing better vessel data, licensing transparency, and shared fisheries information to fight illegal fishing—Gambia is among signatories. Maritime Crime Risk: A report on Russia’s “Dark Fleet” warns that ghost shipping is expanding into Africa, often operating with weak insurance and hidden ownership—raising spill and pollution risks for coastal states. Public Health Debate: A bioethics explainer weighs whether mosquito control could ever go as far as eliminating mosquitoes, as sterile-male release ideas gain attention. Youth & Education (non-environment): The Gambia signed a sports and education deal with Tibu Africa, focused on youth empowerment and learning.

Marine Protection & Illegal Fishing: West African governments, including The Gambia, pushed for stronger ocean governance at the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, backing the Mombasa Declaration to improve fisheries transparency and data-sharing to fight IUU fishing, and calling for the Eastern Atlantic to be included in early marine protected area plans; Climate & Rainfall Watch: Foroyaa reports a worrying rain split—seasonal rains began in the east after 15 June, but there has been no rain in Banjul and the West Coast, raising fears for farmers facing dry spells and pest risks; Research for Resilience: The National Research and Innovation Fund launched new funding initiatives to support homegrown research and practical solutions to national challenges, aiming to turn knowledge into community benefits; Digital Services Disruption: The Gambia temporarily suspended issuance of National ID cards and Driver’s Licenses (9–29 June 2026) ahead of a new digital system rollout, spotlighting service continuity concerns; Health & Environment Innovation: A new study highlights a yeast species that could help create eco-friendly mosquito traps to reduce malaria transmission.

Fisheries Transparency Push: Gambia joined 15 countries signing the Mombasa Declaration at the Our Ocean Conference, pledging better vessel data sharing and transparency to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing that threatens marine life and coastal livelihoods. Ocean Protection in West Africa: West African governments, including Gambia, are also backing early marine protected area plans for the Eastern Atlantic, including a joint regional marine protected area to safeguard resources for community livelihoods. Rainfall Unevenness Warning: Foroyaa reports a troubling rain gap between eastern and western Gambia after the 15 June start of the rainy season—no rain in Banjul and parts of the West Coast—raising fears for farmers facing dry spells and pest risks. Maritime Security Concern: Coverage highlights Russia’s “Dark Fleet” expanding into African waters, with many tankers operating with hidden ownership and weak insurance—shifting pollution and spill risks onto coastal states. Research for Solutions: The National Research and Innovation Fund launched new funding initiatives to support practical research addressing national challenges, including stronger capacity to turn knowledge into development outcomes.

Rainfall Watch: Foroyaa reports a worrying split in Gambia’s rainy season timing: seasonal rains began in the east on 15 June, but there has been no rain in Banjul, the West Coast and parts of the country, raising fears for farmers facing dry spells and pest risks. Ocean & Fisheries Governance: Gambia joined the Mombasa Declaration at the Our Ocean Conference, backing stronger fisheries transparency and data sharing to fight illegal fishing and protect marine livelihoods. Regional Trade Push: ECOWAS steering and EU-backed trade meetings in Banjul focus on boosting market access and business growth across West Africa, including trade facilitation reforms. Public Health & Malaria Research: A new study highlights an eco-friendly possibility: an orange yeast species can lure and trap the malaria-transmitting Anopheles gambiae mosquito, pointing to safer mosquito-control options. Human Rights Courtroom Update: The Gambia Supreme Court is set to rule on 6 July 2026 on whether the 2015 FGM ban stands—an outcome that could reshape protections for women and girls. WASH Equity Note: UNICEF warns of WASH inequalities affecting children in The Gambia.