Partnering for Change: WasteAid and NEA Formalise Environmental Collaboration

On 10th April 2026, WasteAid convened a high-level meeting with the National Environment Agency (NEA), culminating in the successful signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement marks a significant step toward strengthening collaboration on sustainable waste management and environmental protection in The Gambia. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Executive Director of NEA, Dr. Dawda Badgie, expressed appreciation to all participants for their commitment and patience throughout the engagement process that led to this milestone. He underscored NEA’s satisfaction with WasteAid’s strong alignment with the Agency’s mandate of ensuring a clean and healthy environment. He further highlighted the challenges posed by fragmented waste management efforts in the past, emphasizing the importance of the MoU in fostering coordinated and unified implementation particularly at the community level. The Executive Director reaffirmed NEA’s commitment to working closely with WasteAid, noting the growing global waste challenges and the need for a comprehensive, nationwide strategy. 

The Country Director of WasteAid The Gambia, Lamin Sanyang, reiterated the importance of partnerships, emphasizing that no single institution can achieve its objectives in isolation. He announced the commencement of WasteAid’s first country strategy and invited contributions from key stakeholders, including NEA. Referencing the recent National Waste Management Study, he highlighted the absence of a national strategy and described the MoU as both timely and strategic. 

Our Director of Programmes Akira Akazawa had this to say about the signing of the MoU:
“No single organisation can solve the global waste crisis alone. This MoU represents a powerful step forward between WasteAid’s mission—where waste causes no harm—and the NEA’s vital mandate and provision of its technical expertise. We are particularly excited to align our country strategy with the NEA’s goals, focusing on capacity building and joint funding to turn environmental challenges into sustainable opportunities for the people of The Gambia.”

Mr. Sanyang also outlined key areas of collaboration, including policy alignment, capacity building, and the development of joint funding proposals. He acknowledged the valuable guidance previously provided by NEA and expressed his anticipation for continued collaboration and strengthened partnership moving forward.