From modernising ports and expanding tourism, to advancing agriculture and digital public infrastructure, The Gambia is emerging as an attractive destination for Indian investment and long-term bilateral cooperation.
The Gambia, the smallest nation in mainland Africa, is surrounded almost entirely by Senegal, save for its coastline. The country is nicknamed ‘The Smiling Coast’ for the friendliness and hospitality of its people, evidenced by the warmth and enthusiasm with which bilateral cooperation with India has been received in the trade of commodities as well as cooperation in the areas of healthcare, infrastructure and digital governance. India’s established engagement with the West-African country provides a strong foothold for future investments in emerging sectors such as tourism, agriculture and logistics.
India-Gambia Bilateral Trade
The India-Gambia bilateral economic relationship is characterised by steady trade activity across diverse commodity groups. In 2025-26, India’s total bilateral trade with The Gambia reached USD 207.06 million recording a booming 28.5% increase year-on-year. This increase was driven by Indian exports of cotton and vehicles increasing, as well as imports of Gambian cashew nuts increasing. During this period, India’s imports from the Gambia were valued at USD 69.23 million, primarily consisting of fruits and nuts and metal scrap. These imports are complemented by Indian exports worth USD 137.82 million that cater to Gambia’s domestic consumption and industrial needs. India’s exports to The Gambia comprised a diverse mix of commodities, including rice, cotton, vehicles, pharmaceuticals and plastic, as India expands its role as a key supplier of essential goods to West African markets.
Fig 1: India’s Bilateral Trade with Gambia during 2015/16 – 2025/26 (USD Million)
Table 1: India’s Bilateral Trade with The Gambia during 2015/16 – 2025/26 (USD Million)
Fig 2: India’s Exports to The Gambia in 2025-26
Fig 3: India’s Imports from The Gambia in 2025-26
India’s Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme remains a cornerstone of its trade policy for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), offering The Gambia preferential access to the Indian market. However, export diversification continues to be a challenge, necessitating targeted technical assistance to enhance awareness among Gambian exporters. Concurrently, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is fostering regional integration by harmonising trade rules across the continent. For Indian enterprises, The Gambia represents a strategic entry point to the broader West African market, offering opportunities for export-oriented production and supply chain integration.
Strategic Infrastructure and Development
India’s development partnership with The Gambia is marked by significant financial commitments aimed at modernising the nation’s core sectors. Substantial Lines of Credit (LOCs) valued at USD 114.45 million have been extended to support developmental projects in agriculture, construction, water, and power, all of which have been completed. These initiatives are designed to improve rural livelihoods and build resilient national infrastructure, including the construction of the National Assembly Building Complex in Banjul. In addition to long-term financing, India has provided critical grants, including USD 0.9 million for the deployment of drones and early warning systems for flood disaster management.
Recognizing the importance of maritime trade, The Gambia is prioritising the enhancement of its port connectivity to facilitate smoother logistics and transport within the region. Anchored by the construction of its first deep-sea port in Sanyang Village and a USD 500 million expansion of the existing Port of Banjul, this focus on connectivity, combined with India’s expertise in infrastructure and digital public systems, creates a fertile ground for collaboration in port management and logistics technologies. Digital transformation and sustainable transport are core areas of focus in this process of development, providing plentiful opportunities for Indian firms to collaborate and use their strengths to aid The Gambia in reaching its goal of port modernisation.
Health cooperation remains a vital pillar of the bilateral relationship between India and The Gambia. India has gifted 36,000 doses of Made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines and provided a grant of USD 500,000 for the procurement of dialysis machines to bolster Gambia’s healthcare capacity. These humanitarian efforts underscore India’s commitment to supporting Gambia’s social development goals alongside its economic growth. Moreover, established cooperation in the medical field opens up avenues for Indian companies to broaden exports of pharmaceuticals to the country.
The Smiling Coast
The Gambia is renowned for its azure beaches, teeming wildlife reserves, and vibrant cultural heritage. The nation’s tourism sector accounts for around 20% of its GDP, acting as a cornerstone of the Gambian economy. Development of this sector remains a top priority for the government, driven by Sun & Sand tourism, eco-tourism and sustainable travel. Ease of travel is facilitated by the Banjul International Airport, which supports international flight routes across the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
Additionally, cost competitiveness, safety, and the culture of hospitality, respect and tolerance towards visitors, enhance the country’s attractiveness as a tourism destination. Hospitality and tourism development therefore present fruitful opportunities for Indian investors. Indian companies looking to invest in The Gambia will find great potential in investing in hotels, resorts, tour operations, and hospitality services across the country.
Investing in Gambia
Indian companies with investments in The Gambia include Swami India International, which has established a significant presence in the real estate sector. India’s cumulative development assistance continues to support Gambia’s progress in electrification and infrastructure development, fostering an environment conducive to long-term private sector engagement. Bilateral cooperation is also expanding into the digital sphere, with The Gambia being one of 23 countries that signed MoUs with the Government of India for cooperation on India Stack/Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), for replication and adoption of India’s digital governance platforms.
Further avenues for Indian investment in The Gambia include agro-processing and commercial agriculture, leveraging the country’s fertile land along the river basin. Huge potential exists in the renewable energy sector, particularly in solar power generation, to address electricity coverage gaps in rural areas.
The GIEPA (Gambia Investment & Export Promotion Agency) is responsible for the promotion and facilitation of private sector investments in The Gambia and provides services and information for overseas investors looking to invest in the nation. In order to encourage sustainable investment in The Gambia, GIEPA has offered a range of incentives to foreign investors, including a Special Investment Certificate (SIC), Export Processing Zone License (EPZL) and various individual incentives. Priority sectors to receive incentives are agriculture, fisheries, tourism, forestry, manufacturing and energy while priority regions have been identified as the West Coast, Lower River Region, North Bank, Central River Region and Upper River Region.
Next Steps
Keeping in view the expanding scope of India-Gambia bilateral business partnerships, greater efforts may be directed toward:
- Enhancing utilisation of India’s Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme through exporter awareness programmes, technical assistance, and capacity building to help Gambian businesses diversify their exports to the Indian market.
- Strengthening institutional linkages between the GIEPA, Indian business and trade associations, and Gambian business associations to facilitate trade missions, investment forums, and B2B matchmaking.
- Promoting Indian participation in strategic infrastructure projects, particularly in port development, logistics, renewable energy, digital public infrastructure, and smart transport systems, leveraging India’s expertise in these sectors.
- Encouraging joint ventures in agriculture and agro-processing, including irrigation, food processing, logistics, and agricultural technology, to strengthen value addition and food security.
- Expanding cooperation in healthcare and pharmaceuticals by increasing access to affordable Indian medicines, medical devices, telemedicine solutions, and healthcare capacity-building initiatives.
- Supporting tourism and hospitality partnerships through investments in hotels, eco-tourism, hospitality training, and tourism infrastructure, capitalising on The Gambia’s growing tourism industry.
- Facilitating greater private-sector engagement by encouraging Indian firms to explore investment opportunities through GIEPA’s incentive schemes, including the SIC and EPZL.