Gambia: economy

What is the inflation rate in The Gambia?

Inflation was 6.5% in August 2026, according to the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS). The overall consumer price index stood at 185.54 (January 2020 = 100). The Central Bank of The Gambia's August 2026 MPC statement reports that the rate was 7.0% in July, 7.6% in June and 7.5% in May.

The rate compares prices with the same month a year earlier. It remains above the central bank's implicit target of 5%. The bank attributes the easing since June to lower food price pressure, while non-food inflation, driven by transport costs, rose to 8.9% in July. GBoS publishes a CPI release every month, and the central bank keeps the full monthly series on its current inflation rate page.

Official sources: GBoS: key indicators · CBG: MPC Press Release, 20 August 2026 (PDF) · CBG: Current inflation rate

What is the Central Bank of The Gambia policy rate?

The Monetary Policy Rate is 14%, according to the Central Bank of The Gambia. The Monetary Policy Committee kept it unchanged at its meeting on 19 and 20 August 2026, as it had in May.

The committee also held the reserve requirement for commercial banks at 13%, the standing deposit facility rate at 5% and the standing lending facility at 15%, one point above the policy rate. It said a cautious stance was needed because underlying inflation and transport costs remained high, even as headline inflation eased. The policy rate is a signal for short-term rates. Treasury bill yields, which banks and savers actually earn, ranged from 4.0% on 91-day bills to 14.8% on 364-day bills in June 2026. The next decision is due on 26 November 2026, according to the MPC page.

Official sources: CBG: MPC Press Release, 20 August 2026 (PDF) · CBG: Monetary Policy Committee

What is The Gambia's GDP growth rate?

Real GDP grew by 5.7% in 2025, according to provisional estimates from the Gambia Bureau of Statistics cited in the Central Bank of The Gambia's August 2026 MPC statement. The bank projects growth of 5.8% in 2026. The GBoS key indicators give 6.0% growth for 2024.

The central bank attributes 2025 growth to tourism, construction, trade, financial services, private investment and remittances. GBoS lists agriculture growth of 8.8% and services growth of 6.6% in 2024, with agriculture making up 23.0% of GDP. Quarterly figures are more volatile: GBoS puts growth at 1.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Annual and quarterly GDP tables are on the GBoS downloads page.

Official sources: CBG: MPC Press Release, 20 August 2026 (PDF) · GBoS: key indicators · GBoS: downloads

What is the dalasi exchange rate?

The Central Bank of The Gambia's daily valuation rate on 15 October 2026 was D73.11 to the US dollar, D85.32 to the euro and D97.63 to the pound, according to the rates on its home page.

The valuation rate is a reference rate the bank publishes each working day, also as a PDF. Commercial banks and foreign exchange bureaus set their own buying and selling rates around it. In its August 2026 MPC statement the bank reports that between end-March and end-June 2026 the dalasi lost 0.5% against the US dollar, 0.3% against the euro and 1.2% against the pound. Gross official reserves were US$563.9 million at end-July 2026, enough for 4.3 months of imports.

Official sources: CBG: daily valuation rates · CBG: MPC Press Release, 20 August 2026 (PDF)

How much money do Gambians abroad send home?

Private remittance inflows were US$265.5 million in the second quarter of 2026, up from US$219.0 million a year earlier, according to the Central Bank of The Gambia's August 2026 MPC statement.

Remittances are transfers from Gambians living abroad to households at home, recorded through banks and money transfer operators. The bank says they helped push total foreign currency purchases and sales in the domestic market to US$773.7 million in the quarter, from US$644.2 million in the first quarter. Money carried by hand or sent through informal channels is not captured in these figures.

Official sources: CBG: MPC Press Release, 20 August 2026 (PDF)

What are The Gambia's exports and imports?

Goods exports were US$171.0 million and imports US$413.5 million in the second quarter of 2026, leaving a goods deficit of US$242.5 million, or 8.8% of GDP, according to the Central Bank of The Gambia's August 2026 MPC statement.

Exports rose 21.9% on the previous quarter, which the bank attributes to re-exports and to edible fruits and oil seeds, while imports fell 2.6%. The current account deficit, which also counts services such as tourism and transfers such as remittances, was US$34.6 million, or 1.3% of GDP. These are preliminary balance of payments estimates. GBoS publishes detailed International Merchandise Trade Statistics on its downloads page.

Official sources: CBG: MPC Press Release, 20 August 2026 (PDF) · GBoS: downloads

Is the Gambia's economy growing?

The World Bank puts real GDP growth in the Gambia at 5.9% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from -8.1% (2011) to 7.2% (2018). It is 13th highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 4.6%. Worldwide: 32nd of 180.

What is the Gambia's GDP per person?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $919. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $1,351, and the Gambia placed 36th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 170th of 180.

How does the Gambia's income per person compare after prices?

The World Bank puts GDP per person at purchasing power parity in the Gambia at $3,706 in international dollars in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $4,425 in international dollars, and the Gambia placed 29th highest of 46. Worldwide: 160th of 179.

How much does the Gambia export?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is 12.7% of GDP. The peak was 22.3% of GDP in 2018 and the low 6.6% of GDP in 2021. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 26.1% of GDP; the Gambia is 35th highest of 38. World rank, highest first: 126th of 133.

What is the Gambia's current account balance?

-2.9% of GDP: that is the current account balance in the Gambia for 2025, according to the IMF, which is a deficit. Since 2005 it has ranged from -8.1% of GDP (2018) to 1.9% of GDP (2009). Sub-Saharan Africa median: -3.6% of GDP; the Gambia is 10th highest of 20. Of 132 countries with 2025 data, 85th highest.

How much foreign investment does the Gambia receive?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 10.6% of GDP. The peak was 12.5% of GDP in 2021 and the low 1.9% of GDP in 2014. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.0% of GDP, and the Gambia placed 3rd highest of 46. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 14th highest.

What are bank lending rates in the Gambia?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 22.0%. The peak was 34.9% in 2005 and the low 19.0% in 2022. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 17.6%, and the Gambia placed 4th highest of 16. Of 73 countries with 2025 data, 6th highest.