The Gambia is the next big thing, an emerging market property hot spot, a country that offers value for money and represents an opportunity for anyone looking for a good return on an overseas property investment or looking for a holiday or retirement property

The Gambia is only a 6 hour flight from London and has blossomed into a world class tourist resort over the last decade with five star hotels, fine dining, fantastic beaches, water sports, sports fishing and many other quality holiday, sporting and leisure pursuits.

The Gambia, a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations, situated on the western coast of Africa, enclosed on the north, east, and south by Senegal, and fronting the Atlantic Ocean on the west. Also called Gambia, it has an area of 11,295 sq km (4,361 sq mi). Banjul is the capital.

The Government of The Gambia is strongly committed to private sector empowerment and the creation of an enabling environment to stimulate private investment in the country. These we are doing through the combined use of sound macro-economic and financial programs on the one hand, and complementary social sector interventions on the other, all with a view to ensure more confidence in the economy and The Gambia as a safe haven for investment.

The Gambia River is navigable for about 190 km (about 120 mi) from the Atlantic Ocean by small ocean-going vessels. There are 2,700 km (1,678 mi) of roads; the construction of a major road south of the river has reduced the importance of the river as a major artery of transportation. The country has no railroads. An international airport is located at Yundum.

Broadcasters include government-operated Radio and Television, Radio Gambia & GRTS respectively and commercial stations such as West Coast Radio. 

Emerging Property Investment Market

Due to sound and consistent macro economic polices, constitutional guarantees against expropriation of investments and for the protection of personal & business assets, the Gambia is fast becoming an emerging market investment haven.

The Gambian Property market is currently undergoing a boom period. As an 'emerging property market' the Gambia ticks all of the boxes.

The Government of The Gambia is strongly committed to building an emerging market economy and the creation of an enabling environment to stimulate private investment in the country, through the combined use of sound macro-economic and financial programs on the one hand, and complementary social sector interventions on the other, all with a view to ensure more confidence in the economy and The Gambia as a safe haven for investment.

As an 'emerging property market' the Gambia ticks all of the boxes. Consider the following overseas property investment criteria

Consider the following overseas property investment criteria:

Accessibility

As a holiday destination the Gambia has always provided guaranteed winter sunshine. It is well served by cheap chartered flights from the UK, Gambia , Germany, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway all seeking relief from Northern winter climes.

It is a four hour drive to Dakar International Airport, in neighbouring Senegal which is the international air hub for this region of West Africa. Direct flights from here exist to Paris, New York, Torronto, Rio, Dubai, the Middle East, South East Asia and major African destinations such Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria. The Gambia is now considered a world class tourist destination. Forty years ago there were just two hotels in the Gambia. Now there are several hundred offering a range from a few pounds to five hundred pounds a night. Saudi Arabian money is funding the building of further five star luxury hotel developments along the coast.

There is a thriving, expanding European ex-pat community which now enjoys the low cost and high standard of living here. This ex-pat community creates a market for good quality rental accommodation. This in turn is driving the investment market to meet the rapidly increasing demand.

Legal and Civil Infrastructure

Property ownership is an integral part of the Gambian constitution. Land and property law in the Gambia is based on the British legal system and subject to the strict and unequivocal terms which govern it. This ensures that your property investment is absolutely secure. All matters are dealt with in English and many Gambian lawyers have qualified and practiced in the UK itself. As with all administrative systems minor inefficiencies may exist within Gambian bureaucracy but fees paid to accredited Gambian lawyers will often speed up the conveyance process and dispel any uncertainties regarding sharp practice, bribery or taxation issues.

As mentioned above all utilities rates and taxes are locally and centrally fixed and controlled by national companies and government bodies.

Property Sales and Investment in Gambia

Global Properties are very active in the marketing and selling brand new unique, designer and luxury homes of individuals as well as acting for Gambian property development companies and institutions. We have well-established connections with overseas property buyers, property investors (including buy-to-let schemes) as well as pension fund managers who are now showing an interest in the Gambian emerging property market.

The Gambia offers you many of the same basic services you can get in your own country. Your investments are protected under similar laws and regulations to the British legal system, with the right to own property and starting a business in Gambia.

Starting a Business in Gambia

It is a requirement under the Business Registration Act 1973 to register and obtain a Certificate of Registration or where applicable, a Certificate of Incorporation before operating a business in The Gambia. The Certificate or a certified copy must be displayed in a conspicuous position at the principal place of business. The Certificate is valid for the calendar year and must be renewed yearly.

Businesses in The Gambia may be registered as a company (with a maximum size of 50 members), a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or other forms of business (namely co-operatives, branches of foreign companies).

Recent Investments

The Kuwaitis’ have funded the building of the Coastal Road, Gambia’s main road connecting Banjul, the main tourist areas and the South of Gambia. This has effectively opened up the country and has cut many hours from travelling times. Areas previously accessible only to four wheel drives are now readily reached. In this, Africa's most densely populated country, this road has provided a gateway for the population to escape from overcrowding in the urban areas of Serrekunda and Banjul. Tourist development has quickly followed with five star hotels being built in Brufut and many eco-lodges and small scale tourist ventures are springing up further south. Land that was previously worthless due to inaccessibility is now rapidly increasing in value. Away from the coast the road has led to a farming boom in southern Gambia providing exotic fruit and vegetables for European supermarkets, local luxury hotels and restaurant.

Other facts and Characteristics of the Gambia

Land and Resources of Gambia

The Gambia extends for about 320 km (200 mi) inland from the Atlantic Ocean on both sides of the lower Gambia River. It is only about 50 km (30 mi) wide at its widest point. The river is lined with mangrove swamps.

Climate of Gambia

The Gambia has a subtropical climate with distinct hot and cool seasons. During the cool season, from November to May, the harmattan, a hot, dry, dusty wind, blows from the Sahara. Temperatures range from 16°C (60°F) in winter to 43°C (110°F) in summer. The rainy season lasts from June to October. The average annual rainfall is about 1,020 mm (about 40 in).

Natural Resources of Gambia

The main natural resource of The Gambia is the Gambia River, one of Africa’s best navigable waterways. The country’s soil is mostly poor and sandy, except in the riverine swamps, but is ideally suited for the cultivation of peanuts, upon which the economy depends. Fish are increasing in economic importance, and seismic surveys have indicated the possibility that petroleum exists.

Plants and Animals of the Gambia

In The Gambia, the mangrove, oil palm, and rubber vine grow in profusion, and cedar and mahogany trees abound. Wildlife includes leopard, wild boar, crocodile, hippopotamus, and several species of antelope. Such game birds as the guinea fowl and sand grouse are plentiful.

Environmental Issues in Gambia

The Gambia has lost 91 percent of its original forest habitat, which has been cleared for agriculture and fuel wood. As a result, many of the big-game animals have been destroyed, although some protected areas have been established. With government incentives encouraging growth in the number of fishing companies, over fishing has emerged as a problem.

Saltwater has intruded farther upriver, causing agricultural lands to become saline. Desertification has increased.

Population of Gambia

A wide variety of ethnic groups live side by side in The Gambia while preserving individual languages and traditions. The population comprises the Mandinka (also known as Mandingo or Malinke), the largest ethnic group (representing about 42 percent of Gambia’s inhabitants); the Fulani (about 18 percent), who predominate in the eastern part of the country; the Wolof (about 16 percent), who live mainly in Banjul and the western region; the Jola (about 10 percent), who live in the western region; the Serahuli (about 9 percent), whose rulers introduced Islam into the region in the 12th century and who are primarily traders and nomads; and the small Aku community, partly descended from liberated slaves. In 2000, 32 percent of the population lived in urban areas.

Population Characteristics in Gambia

The population of The Gambia (2002 estimate) is 1,455,842, making it one of the least populous countries of Africa. Still, the country has an overall population density of 129 persons per sq km (334 per sq mi), and the population is increasing at a rate of 3.1 percent a year. Banjul, formerly called Bathurst, is the capital and only seaport. The largest city is Serrekunda.

Peanuts are grown primarily for export; the crop amounted to 126,000 metric tons in 2001.
The sale of peanuts and peanut products accounted for about three-quarters of total yearly domestic exports by value in the 1990s.

The government has introduced the raising of cotton, sisal, citrus fruits, and tobacco to diversify agricultural production. The coastal villages engage in fishing.

In 1997 the fish catch was 32,258 metric tons, mostly from marine waters.

Agriculture and Fishing in the Gambia

About 90 percent of the people of The Gambia are Muslim; 9 percent are Christian; and 1 percent follows traditional religions. English is the official language, but each ethnic group has its own language.

Education in the Gambia

Primary education in The Gambia is free but not compulsory.

In the 1998-1999 school year 150,400 children were enrolled in primary school (81 percent of this age group), while 47,100 were enrolled in a secondary school (31 percent of secondary school-aged children). The country’s institutions of higher education include The Gambia College, in Brikama, and several technical and training schools.

Manufacturing, Currency, and Trade in the Gambia

Manufacturing in The Gambia is limited mainly to the processing of peanuts and other primary products and to the building of fishing boats.

Other manufactures include beverages, clothing, footwear, and handicrafts. The country’s unit of currency, adopted in 1971, is the dalasi (12.79 dalasi equal U.S. $1; 2000 average), consisting of 100 butut; it is issued by the Central Bank of The Gambia (1971).

The cost of The Gambia’s yearly imports is usually much more than its export earnings; in 2000 imports totalled $210 million and exports were valued at $9 million.

The main trading partners for exports were Japan, Belgium and Luxembourg, Senegal, Guinea, France, and the United States; principal partners for imports were the China, Côte d’Ivoire, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Germany, Senegal, Thailand, and the United States.

The Gambia’s tourist industry is a growing source of foreign exchange; the country hosted 91,000 visitors in 1998.