Gambia Seeks Creation of Agricultural Bank to Boost AfCFTA Implementation

The Gambian National Assembly delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament has called for the creation of an agricultural bank and the training of border officers, measures they say are critical to the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The recommendations were made during a presentation on “Women, Youth and Informal Cross-Border Traders: Unlocking Inclusive Growth Under the AfCFTA.”

Hon. Sheriff Sarr highlighted the challenges faced by vulnerable citizens, particularly women, in accessing finance and basic services. Citing examples from The Gambia, he noted the daily struggles of women to include paying tuition, hospital fees, and providing for their families.

“When these people are supported and empowered, poverty can be reduced,” he said, emphasizing the need to equip women, especially in rural areas, with relevant skills and to lower exorbitant interest rates that hinder entrepreneurial growth.

Hon. Maimuna Ceesay underscored Africa’s ongoing struggle with intra-regional and intra-state trade, stressing the importance of including youth and women in every facet of social and economic development.

“Active participation of youth and women, combined with innovation and business training, will reduce the drive to seek greener pastures outside the subregion,” she said.

Ceesay also recommended specialized training for border officers on human rights to protect women traders from harassment.

Hon. Amadou Camara raised concerns about informal traders in The Gambia, citing financial challenges and trade barriers as key obstacles. He called for these issues to be addressed concretely in the AfCFTA implementation strategy, highlighting the significant benefits such measures could bring to the region.