The Government of The Gambia, through its Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security's Department of Cooperative Development, officially launched a new National Cooperative Policy on Wednesday, 13 May 2026. This significant policy initiative, which covers the period from 2021 to 2030, is strategically designed to boost agriculture and the rural economy across the nation. The full strategy focuses on improving governance within cooperatives, expanding their activities into new and existing sectors, and supporting sustainable economic growth, with a particular emphasis on uplifting rural communities. It places a strong and deliberate emphasis on agriculture, reflecting the sector's critical importance to the nation's overall development and economic stability. The policy aims to address long-standing challenges and foster a more strong and inclusive cooperative ecosystem.
Policy Development Journey
Efforts to revive The Gambia's cooperative sector commenced earnestly after 2017, following a transformative change of government. This period marked a renewed commitment to strengthening foundational economic structures. Support for this vital revival came from key projects such as JICAF and later GIRAV, which provided key technical and financial assistance. To guide these extensive efforts, the Task Force on Cooperative Policy Revitalisation was formally established in 2019. This task force played a key role, collaborating closely with international consultants and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to localise the policy framework, ensuring it was tailored to the specific needs and context of The Gambia. Abba G. Sankareh, Registrar General of the Department of Cooperative Development, provided insight into the development timeline, stating, "By 2019, a full policy was created with FAO’s backing, culminating in its validation in March 2021 and subsequent Cabinet approval in 2023." The policy's development involved extensive and rigorous consultations with various stakeholders, including cooperative members, government agencies, and international partners, ensuring a broad consensus and strong framework. This collaborative approach was instrumental in shaping a policy that is both ambitious and achievable.
Addressing Sector Challenges
The Gambian cooperative sector currently faces several entrenched structural challenges that have historically impeded its growth and effectiveness. These include issues of weak governance, fragmented institutions, and insufficient funding, which together create significant barriers to progress. A notable consequence of these difficulties is that some cooperatives have been liquidated in the past, leading to their valuable assets remaining unused and unproductive. Despite these persistent difficulties, there have been encouraging signs of progress, particularly through enhanced collaboration between government agencies and cooperatives. This cooperation has notably facilitated improvements in critical areas such as the distribution of fertilizers to farmers and the stabilization of market prices for agricultural produce, demonstrating the potential for positive change when stakeholders work together.
The new national policy is specifically designed to address these long-standing issues by providing a clear and full opportunity to modernize cooperatives' operations and significantly enhance their access to vital financial resources. Officials indicate that the strategy's overall success will fundamentally rely on the diligent implementation of improved governance practices, the establishment of stronger and more resilient institutions, and, critically, active participation from cooperative members at all levels. These elements are considered absolutely key for the policy to effectively achieve its stated objectives of strengthening the agricultural sector and bolstering the rural economy, ultimately leading to sustainable development.
Key Policy Reforms and Goals
Implementation of the National Cooperative Policy is already well under way, marking a proactive approach to reform. This initial phase involves the creation of new directorates within the Department of Cooperative Development and active regional engagement activities, ensuring the policy's reach extends throughout the country. The reforms outlined within the policy are broad and include significant legal changes to existing frameworks, aiming to create a more supportive regulatory environment. Additionally, the introduction of digital systems is a key component, designed to modernize operations, improve efficiency, and enhance transparency within cooperatives. The plan aims to strategically expand cooperative activities into new and emerging sectors, such as renewable energy and e-commerce, thereby diversifying their economic impact and creating new opportunities for members.
The policy is deemed profoundly important for the overall economic development of The Gambia and is widely expected to contribute substantially to job creation across various sectors, both traditional and new. A key and integral aspect of the plan is its strong prioritization of inclusivity, specifically encouraging greater and more meaningful participation from youth and women within cooperatives. This focus aims to empower these demographic groups, ensuring they are active beneficiaries and contributors to economic growth. Through these full measures, the policy is anticipated to significantly enhance national production across various economic sectors, contribute directly to poverty eradication efforts, and generate much-needed employment opportunities for a broad spectrum of Gambian citizens, fostering a more equitable and prosperous society. The success of this strategy hinges on the collective commitment to its principles and the active involvement of all stakeholders.