The Gambia—State Building Contract 1 Complementary Support (SBC1 CS)

Following the turmoil of a contested presidential election in 2016, The Gambia faced an uncertain future. While the population had high expectations for the political transition, a fragile economy along with the state’s poor record in providing basic public services threatened the country’s stability. Peaceful parliamentary elections in 2017 paved the way for policymakers to restore fiscal sustainability and lay the groundwork for the country’s economic recovery. The European Union has supported the democratic transition from the outset with an ambitious budget support programme that includes complementary support measures implemented by a technical assistance team.

The State Building Contract 1 Complementary Support (SBC1 CS) programme worked to foster inclusive growth and improved political and economic governance by focusing on four key areas: public finance management and procurement, security sector reform, reliable statistics systems, and business environment and private sector development. Our assistance facilitated policy dialogue within and across institutions and proactively engaged in capacity building and institutional strengthening with the overarching goal of promoting human rights, the rule of law, informed democratic processes, effective and accountable public structures, an inclusive economy.

Sample Activities

• Provide coaching to the Office of the President to lead security sector reform.
• Offer technical advice on the Draft Procurement Act to be submitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Parliament, with previous study trips to Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana to benchmark public procurement frameworks and learn from reform processes undertaken abroad.
• Strengthen the capacity of the Bureau of Statistics to develop and disseminate quality statistical information required to formulate and monitor policies.
• Conduct public-private dialogues on key issues related to business environment reform under the banner of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment.

Select Results

Public Finance Management

• Supported The Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA)’s campaign against corruption.
• Supported the drafting of an internal audit manual being used by all ministries and government agencies, including GPPA.

Security Sector Reform

• Provided advice leading to a Police Reform Bill submitted to the Parliament.
• Drafted comprehensive security sector reform plan known as ‘Project Trust’ focusing on security vetting and counterterrorism.
• Facilitated a workshop on “Excellence in Security Intelligence” for directors and senior managers of the Gambian intelligence.

Reliable Statistics Systems

• Supported The Gambia Bureau of Statistics through coaching and advice.
• Reviewed the Draft Statistics Act to ensure a strong and reliable statistics system.
• Organised a series of workshops for the Gambia Data Quality Assessment Framework.

Business Environment & Private Sector Development

• Drafted recommendations on ‘Ease of Doing Business’ endorsed at Ministry level.
• Provided policy advice to the National Business Council.
• Advised on the setup of a national Women’s Entreprise Fund and supported the establishment of The Gambia Women Chamber of Commerce.

Workshop with police force in The Gambia. Photo courtesy: Zikodev Multimedia.