AGP Executive Report

Public Investment Reform Watch: Gambian Ministry of Finance officials have started benchmarking Uganda’s public investment management, saying they need urgent fixes in project conceptualisation, evaluation, implementation, and monitoring—areas they say are currently full of gaps. Public Service Reform Learning: A senior Gambian delegation also visited Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Commission in Abuja to study how clear mandates and coordination drive civil service reforms. Rohingya Justice Timeline: Gambia’s Attorney General says the ICJ verdict in the Rohingya genocide case is expected in October 2026, with Bangladesh and Gambia pushing for accountability and safe, dignified, voluntary returns. Fisheries Transparency Push: Gambia is among countries endorsing the Mombasa Declaration to improve transparency in global fishing fleets, while groups like FiTI warn that signing must quickly turn into verifiable action. Solar and Climate Resilience Energy: The International Solar Alliance launched its Solarising Africa strategy and related initiatives, aiming to scale solar for energy access and climate resilience. Biodiversity & Loss/Damage: An event on bridging biodiversity, land degradation and Loss & Damage highlighted new ways to make ecosystem losses visible for climate and disaster planning.

Gambia Public Service Reform: Senior Gambian officials visited Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Commission in Abuja to study public service reforms, with Nigeria’s experience stressing clear mandates, defined responsibilities, and coordination to make reforms work. Rohingya Accountability: Bangladesh raised the Rohingya crisis with The Gambia at the OIC in Jeddah, with Gambia’s Attorney General Dawda A. Jallow saying the ICJ verdict in the genocide case is expected in October 2026—key for a sustainable solution and safe, dignified, voluntary returns. Solar and Climate Resilience: The International Solar Alliance launched the “Solarising Africa” strategy and an Africa50 DRE Fund blueprint, aiming to scale solar for energy access, solarised agriculture, e-mobility, and utility-scale projects tied to climate resilience. Fisheries Transparency: Gambia backed international moves to improve transparency in fishing fleets, as FiTI and partners warn that signing commitments must quickly turn into verifiable, stakeholder-led implementation. Election Readiness: A pre-election assessment mission led by Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Attahiru Jega met President Adama Barrow ahead of the Dec. 5, 2026 presidential vote, focusing on a peaceful, credible, and transparent process. Public Health Policy: ECOWAS tax officials met in Conakry to review harmonised excise duties on tobacco—using taxation to protect health and raise revenue for development.

Solar Energy & Climate Resilience: The International Solar Alliance launched its “Solarising Africa” strategy and an Africa50 DRE Fund blueprint at a regional meeting in Victoria Falls, aiming to scale solar deployment and support solarised agriculture, e-mobility, and utility-scale power for energy access and climate resilience. Fisheries Transparency: The Mombasa Declaration is gaining support to improve disclosure of vessel information and fisheries data access, but groups like FiTI and the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency warn that real change must move from pledges to verifiable, stakeholder-led implementation. Nutrition From Local Catch: A new study links global nutrient shortfalls to how seafood is traded, finding major potential gains for countries including The Gambia if more catch is retained locally and food-and-nutrition security is built into fisheries policy. Loss & Damage for Ecosystems: Experts discussed how to make biodiversity and land-degradation losses visible in climate and disaster reporting, including non-economic impacts, through a framework called FRAME-ECO. Gambia Debt Watch: Commentary flags The Gambia’s rising domestic debt and warns that heavy reliance on short-term borrowing could crowd out development unless borrowing cost, maturity, and purpose are addressed.

Fisheries Transparency: The Gambia has endorsed the Mombasa Declaration at the Our Ocean Conference, pushing for better vessel information and access to fisheries data—but FiTI and the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency warn that real progress now depends on verifiable, stakeholder-led implementation. Nutrition & Food Security: A new study links global nutrient shortfalls to how seafood is managed and traded, arguing that retaining more catch locally and improving transparency in foreign fishing deals could boost calcium and other key nutrients in West Africa, including The Gambia. Climate Risk & Health: Experts warn that climate change is raising diarrhea risk for children across Africa, tying extreme weather and ecosystem stress to public health impacts. Loss & Damage for Nature: A regional event on “Bridging Biodiversity, Land Degradation and Loss & Damage” highlights a push to better measure ecosystem losses in climate and disaster planning, including non-economic impacts. Water Access Lessons: A World Bank-backed visit to Kenya’s eWater model spotlights community smart taps, affordable tariffs, and water conservation—approaches that could inform rural water projects across the region.

Fisheries Transparency: The Gambia has endorsed the Mombasa Declaration at Kenya’s Our Ocean Conference, pushing for better collection and public access to vessel and fisheries data—but transparency groups warn that real change will only come with verifiable, stakeholder-led implementation. Food & Nutrition Security: A new study links global nutrient shortfalls to how seafood is traded, finding that countries including The Gambia could gain major nutrition benefits if more catch is retained locally and fisheries agreements explicitly protect coastal communities’ food needs. Climate Risk: Global forecasts warn a potentially record-strong El Niño could peak in 2026–27, raising the odds of extreme weather and knock-on health and ecosystem impacts, with vulnerable countries urged to prepare now. Water & Resilience: While not in The Gambia, a World Bank-backed visit to Kenya’s eWater model highlights what works for rural safe water—community participation, affordable tariffs, conservation, and smart systems—offering lessons for regional water planning.

Climate & Health: A new study warns climate change could raise childhood diarrhea risk across Africa, but everyday resilience factors like access to clean water, electricity, and transport may help protect children. Water Access: A World Bank and Mozambique delegation visited Kenya’s Kirinyaga county to benchmark its eWATER model, which uses community participation, affordable tariffs, water conservation, and smart systems to expand safe water. Wildlife: Dry summer weather boosted osprey feeding conditions at Rutland Water, supporting earlier chick fledging and “brilliant” breeding outcomes. Policy & Environment Finance (Gambia): The Gambia’s rising domestic debt (reported around D55.43bn) is being flagged as a development risk, with concern focused on short-term borrowing costs and whether loans are funding productive assets. Biodiversity & Climate Loss: An event on bridging biodiversity, land degradation, and Loss & Damage highlighted FRAME-ECO, a push to better track ecosystem service losses in climate and disaster planning. Regional Governance (Tobacco): ECOWAS officials met in Conakry to discuss harmonising excise duties on tobacco to protect public health while raising revenue for development.

Climate & Loss/Damage: A UN-backed event in Mongolia and beyond focused on how to make ecosystem losses from climate change visible in Loss & Damage reporting, pushing a framework (FRAME-ECO) to track biodiversity and non-economic impacts like livelihoods and cultural values. Public Health & Water Resilience: A new study warns climate change could raise childhood diarrhea risk across sub-Saharan Africa, but everyday resilience factors—like access to clean water, electricity, and transport—may reduce the harm. Gambia Debt Watch: A Gambian commentary flags rising domestic debt (reported around D55.43bn) and warns that heavy short-term borrowing could crowd out development unless the cost, maturity, and purpose of borrowing are addressed. Regional Tax & Tobacco Control: ECOWAS officials met in Conakry to discuss harmonising excise duties on tobacco, framing taxation as a tool to cut disease and protect public health while supporting sustainable development. Wildlife Note: Osprey breeding success is rising at a UK nature reserve, with more nests and chicks than previously thought—an encouraging sign for conservation efforts.

Climate & Health: A new study links climate change to higher childhood diarrhea risk across sub-Saharan Africa, but finds everyday resilience factors—like clean water access, electricity, transport, and household assets—can meaningfully soften the impact. Wildlife: Osprey breeding success is climbing at UK nature reserves, with new nests and more chicks discovered, showing how dry weather can boost feeding conditions. Water & Community Development: A World Bank and Mozambique delegation visited Kenya’s eWATER model, highlighting community smart taps, water conservation, affordable tariffs, and technology-backed distribution—an approach that could inform safer water efforts regionally, including in The Gambia. Fisheries Governance: China’s reported refusal to sign the Mombasa Declaration threatens progress against illegal fishing, even as Gambia and other countries backed stronger vessel transparency and tracking. Gambia-Relevant Policy: The Gambia is named among six West African countries set to benefit from an AfDB-backed project to strengthen tax administration and domestic revenue systems—money that can support environmental services if prioritized.

Climate & Health: A new study links climate change to higher childhood diarrhea risk across Africa, but finds everyday resilience factors—like access to clean water, electricity, and transport—can meaningfully reduce the impact. Water Access: A World Bank and Mozambique delegation visited Kirinyaga, Kenya to benchmark its eWATER model, which uses smart systems, community participation, and affordable tariffs to expand safe water access—an approach relevant for water-stressed regions like The Gambia. Wildlife: Osprey breeding success is rising at UK nature reserves, with new nests and more chicks recorded after dry weather improved feeding conditions. Fisheries Governance: China’s refusal to sign the Mombasa Declaration threatens progress against illegal fishing; the declaration supports vessel transparency and tracking—key for protecting marine ecosystems across West Africa including The Gambia. Gambia Policy Lens: A Gambia-focused op-ed warns that domestic debt growth (reported around D55.43bn) could crowd out development if borrowing stays concentrated in short-term instruments.

Climate & Health: A new study links climate change to higher childhood diarrhea risk across sub-Saharan Africa, but finds everyday resilience factors—like clean water access, electricity, transport, and vaccination—can meaningfully reduce the impact. Wildlife Watch: Osprey breeding success is climbing at UK nature reserves, with new nests and more chicks found after dry weather improved feeding conditions. Water & Communities: A World Bank and Mozambique delegation visited Kenya’s eWATER model in Kirinyaga, highlighting smart taps, affordable tariffs, and community participation as a way to expand safe water in underserved rural areas. Illegal Fishing Governance: China’s refusal to sign the Mombasa Declaration weakens efforts to curb IUU fishing through better vessel tracking and transparency, even as several West African states—including The Gambia—signed on. Regional Policy & Capacity: WAIFEM urged West African reserve managers to strengthen institutions and risk planning for climate and economic shocks, while Liberia and others received AfDB support to improve tax administration and domestic revenue resilience. Energy & Regulation (regional): Ghana’s Petroleum Commission launched its 15th anniversary on regulatory excellence, and Senegal’s Petrosen signed a deal to improve offshore subsurface data—both tied to future energy investment.

Water Access & Clean Water: A World Bank and Mozambique delegation visited Kirinyaga, Kenya, to benchmark the eWATER model—smart taps and household connections delivering treated water to underserved rural communities, with community participation, water conservation, and affordable tariffs at the center. Climate & Health: New research links climate change to higher childhood diarrhea risk across sub-Saharan Africa, but also points to everyday resilience factors—like clean water access and household support markers—that can soften the impact. Wildlife Monitoring: Osprey breeding at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve in the UK hit a new high, with staff discovering extra nests and chicks, showing how conditions can boost wildlife success. Regional Governance & Revenue: The AfDB launched a US$5.3m tax administration project for six West African countries including The Gambia, aiming to strengthen domestic revenue systems and resilience. Illegal Fishing Controls: China reportedly refused to sign the Mombasa Declaration on fisheries transparency, a move that could weaken efforts to curb IUU fishing and improve vessel tracking and licensing. Energy & Environment Data: Senegal’s Petrosen signed a multi-client deal with Viridien to improve offshore subsurface data in the MSGBC basin, supporting more informed (and potentially more sustainable) exploration decisions. Gambia-Relevant Policy: WAIFEM urged reserve managers in WAMZ countries to prepare for climate-related shocks, including for The Gambia, as financial systems face growing uncertainty.

Petroleum & Clean Coasts: Ghana’s Petroleum Commission kicked off its 15th anniversary with a theme on “regulatory excellence” and a year of activities that include coastal clean-ups and STEM projects—an angle that matters for how energy rules can protect the environment. Water Access Benchmarking: A World Bank and Mozambique delegation visited Kirinyaga’s eWATER model, where smart taps and community participation are expanding safe, affordable water—useful lessons for rural water security across the region, including The Gambia. Climate-Health Link: New research says climate change is expected to raise childhood diarrhoea risk across sub-Saharan Africa, but everyday resilience factors like transport access and electricity can help reduce the impact. Wildlife Update: Osprey breeding success is climbing at UK nature reserves, with newly found nests pushing chick numbers higher—good news for biodiversity monitoring. Gambia in Regional Finance: The AfDB-backed West Africa tax administration project will benefit The Gambia, aiming to strengthen domestic revenue systems that can fund environmental services. Illegal Fishing Governance: China’s refusal to sign an anti-IUU transparency declaration highlights ongoing pressure for better vessel tracking and licensing rules in West Africa.

Climate & Health: A new study links climate change to higher childhood diarrhea risk across sub-Saharan Africa, but finds everyday resilience factors—like access to clean water, electricity, transport, and vaccination—can meaningfully reduce the impact. Water Access: Kirinyaga’s eWATER model is drawing World Bank and Mozambique interest after expanding safe, affordable water via community smart taps and household connections, offering lessons for rural water delivery. Wildlife: Osprey breeding success is climbing at UK nature reserves, with new nests and more chicks reported—an encouraging sign for conservation efforts. Regional Policy & Finance: WAIFEM is urging West African reserve managers to prepare for climate and geopolitical shocks, while The Gambia is among six countries set to benefit from an AfDB-backed tax administration project to boost domestic revenue. Energy & Data: Senegal’s Petrosen and Viridien signed a deal to improve offshore subsurface data in the MSGBC basin, supporting more informed exploration investment. Gambia Link: The Gambia is included in the climate-diarrhea research and in regional fisheries transparency efforts tied to the Mombasa Declaration.

Water & Resilience: A World Bank and Mozambique delegation visited Kirinyaga, Kenya to benchmark its eWater model—smart, affordable treated water delivered with community participation, tariffs, and water conservation—aimed at scaling rural safe-water access lessons for Mozambique. Climate & Health: New research links climate change to higher childhood diarrhea risk across sub-Saharan Africa, but finds everyday resilience factors like clean water access, electricity, transport, and vaccination can meaningfully reduce the climate-driven impact. Wildlife & Weather: Dry summer conditions at Rutland Water have created “brilliant” feeding for ospreys, with better fishing opportunities helping chicks fledge earlier—though fewer chicks were recorded this year due to missing birds. Governance & Environment Risk: WAIFEM urged West African reserve managers to prepare for climate-related shocks, alongside geopolitical and financial volatility, as part of stronger strategic reserves management. Illegal Fishing Watch: China’s refusal to sign the Mombasa Declaration raises concerns for IUU fishing enforcement, even as several West African states including The Gambia signed to improve vessel transparency and tracking. Gambia Link: The Gambia appears in the climate-diarrhea study dataset and in the regional push for fisheries transparency.

Coastal & Water Safety: Liberia’s EPA warns that uncontrolled sand mining is speeding up coastal and riverbank erosion, threatening communities, infrastructure, biodiversity and tourism, and pushes for stronger rules and monitoring under a West Africa sand-responsibility project also covering The Gambia. Climate & Health: New research links climate change to shifts in childhood diarrheal disease risk across Africa, while highlighting that vaccination and access to transport and other resilience factors can reduce impacts—relevant for Gambia’s public health planning. Illegal Fishing Governance: China’s refusal to sign the Mombasa Declaration at the Our Ocean Conference raises fresh concerns over illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and weak transparency—an issue for West African fisheries including Gambia. Regional Finance for Resilience: WAIFEM urges West African reserve managers to prepare for climate-related shocks and uncertainty, including for WAMZ countries like The Gambia. Tax & Revenue Systems: The AfDB-backed STACP-WA project launches to strengthen tax administration and domestic revenue mobilization in The Gambia and five other countries, supporting longer-term public capacity. Energy Data & Investment: Viridien signs a Senegal-Petrosen deal to improve offshore subsurface data across the MSGBC basin (including Gambia), aiming at better exploration decisions and “sustainable resource development.” Environment Science Legacy: The death of Iain Thornton is noted for decades of work on environmental geochemistry and how chemicals in soils, water and dust affect human and animal health.

Tax & Revenue Resilience: West Africa’s tax systems get a boost as the AfDB launches the US$5.3m STACP-WA project for Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone, aiming to strengthen domestic revenue and resilient administration. Energy Transparency & Data: Senegal’s MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 confirms high-level government participation, as the region pushes investment in hydrocarbons—raising the stakes for environmental safeguards and responsible development. Climate-Health Link: New research flags how warming and shifting rainfall can change childhood diarrheal disease risks across sub-Saharan Africa, including The Gambia—while better vaccination and transport access can reduce impacts. Illegal Fishing Crackdown: China’s refusal to sign the Mombasa Declaration at the Our Ocean Conference keeps pressure on IUU fishing efforts, with Gambia among the signatories elsewhere. Coastal Protection: Liberia’s EPA warns that uncontrolled sand mining is accelerating erosion, threatening communities and biodiversity, and notes a West Africa push (including The Gambia) for responsible sand value chains and coastal resilience. Climate Risk for Finance: WAIFEM urges WAMZ reserve managers to prepare for climate-related shocks, highlighting how environmental stress can ripple into financial stability.