The Six Transitions Gambia Must Navigate for Sustainable Development

Introduction: A Wake-Up Call for Action

The 2023 UN Gambia Common Country Analysis (CCA) provides a comprehensive assessment of The Gambia’s sustainable development context and a strategic roadmap for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis reveals significant challenges that require a transformative approach to development grounded in systems thinking and a focus on equity and resilience

The Need For a Systems Approach to Development

The Gambia has made progress in improving the lives of its citizens, but not everyone has benefited equally. More than half of the population lives below the national poverty line, with poverty being even more widespread in rural areas (Chapter 1). A siloed approach to development has hampered progress, highlighting the need for a systems approach that recognises the interconnectedness of the SDGs.

The Six Transitions Approach: A Roadmap for Transformative Change (Chapter 7)

The CCA identifies six key areas that can help accelerate progress: (a) nourishing the nation through food systems transformation, (b) energising lives and the economy through a just energy transition, (c) empowering minds through transformative education systems, (d) securing futures through jobs and social protection, (e) connecting communities through digital technologies, and (f) safeguarding a climate-smart future.

The first transition, nourishing the nation, is a matter of both nourishment and sustainability. With a staggering 65% financing gap in the agriculture sector, The Gambia must explore innovative financial instruments to boost agricultural productivity and ensure food security. By transforming how food is produced, processed, distributed, and consumed, the Gambia can create sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems that provide nutritious and affordable food for all while supporting livelihoods, reducing environmental impacts, and adapting to climate change.

The second transition, energising lives and the economy, catalyses economic growth and climate change mitigation. Access to electricity in The Gambia is a mere 60%, with rural areas bearing the brunt of energy poverty. Bridging this energy access gap requires significant investments in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and energy efficiency measures. By embracing clean energy, The Gambia can improve its citizens’ quality of life, create new economic opportunities, and combat climate change.

Empowering minds, the third transition holds the key to unlocking human potential and breaking the cycle of poverty. Yet, with a 57% funding gap in education, The Gambia faces tough choices in how it uses its limited resources to improve learning outcomes and promote girls’ education. Picture a young Gambian girl, eager to learn but trapped in a classroom without books or trained teachers. By increasing public expenditure on education, targeting disadvantaged schools, and leveraging international aid, The Gambia can ensure that every child has access to quality education and the chance to reach their full potential.

The fourth transition, securing futures through jobs and social protection, is a shield against poverty and inequality. In The Gambia, over half the population lives below the national poverty line, with many trapped in informal, low-paying jobs. Strengthening the performance of SOEs, particularly in job-creating sectors like agriculture and tourism, is crucial for this transition. The Gambia can ensure that no one is left behind by developing a comprehensive national employment policy, expanding social protection coverage, and formalising the informal economy.

The fifth transition, harnessing the power of digital technologies, is a key driver of inclusive growth. Although 51% of Gambians have access to the internet, there is a significant digital divide between urban and rural areas. Investing in digital infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, and fostering partnerships with tech companies can help The Gambia unlock the potential of digital technologies for education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.

The sixth and final transition, safeguarding a climate-smart future, is an existential necessity. The Gambia, with its low-lying coastal areas, is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and more frequent floods. By investing in ecosystem-based adaptation, renewable energy, sustainable waste management, and climate-smart infrastructure, The Gambia can build resilience to climate shocks and safeguard its natural resources for future generations.

Financing the NDP and strengthening SOEs are the twin engines propelling The Gambia’s sustainable development journey.

Huge Ambitions, Huge Funding Gap

Amajor obstacle to achieving the SDGs is the lack of funding for the country’s National Development Plan (NDP). Even in the best-case scenario, the Gambia faces a massive 80% shortfall in financing. The government estimates that achieving the top 10 NDP outcomes will cost around $2.6 billion, with infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture being the highest priorities.

Despite allocations to vital social sectors, significant funding gaps ranging from 52% to 100% threaten progress on SDGs. For instance, the education sector, vital for breaking poverty cycles and empowering marginalised groups, faces a funding gap of 52%.

Similarly, the healthcare sector, which addresses health inequalities affecting the poor, faces a 75% funding gap. These shortfalls could result in understaffed schools and clinics, limited access to quality education and healthcare, and slower progress towards SDGs 3 (Good health and well-being) and 4 (Quality education).

In addition, critical areas such as governance, transitional justice, and social inclusion lack adequate funding, which may hinder progress on SDGs related to gender equality, reduced inequalities, and peace and justice.

The Critical Role of State-Owned Enterprises

Improving the performance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) is also crucial (Chapter 5). The Gambian government owns thirteen SOEs that are crucial to the country’s development across five sectors: agriculture, energy and water, services, telecommunications, and transportation. These enterprises are vital in driving economic growth and delivering essential services.

The 2022 SOE Operational and Financial report reveals collective net losses of GMD2.02 billion (USD39 million), a sharp reversal from the previous year’s profit, with operational inefficiencies and corporate governance lapses threatening the country’s SDG aspirations across various sectors

Conclusion: A Call to Action for a Brighter Future

The Gambia stands at a critical crossroads. The choices made today will shape the lives of generations to come. The UN Gambia 2023 CCA is a call to action, urging everyone to seize this moment and work together to build a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for all Gambians. By placing the SDGs at the centre of development efforts and investing in the potential of every Gambian, The Gambia can rewrite Amina’s story and create a brighter future for all.