The Gambia

The majority of waste generated in The Gambia is disposed of at informal dumpsites or burned in backyards. Uncollected waste pollutes the River Gambia and its fragile mangrove forest, eventually leaking to the Atlantic Ocean. The impacts of climate change are compounded by pollution from waste, affecting human health, groundwater, agricultural land, livestock and fisheries.

WasteAid has had a presence in The Gambia since 2015, delivering the country’s first waste composition analysis and building stakeholder awareness of sustainable waste management approaches.

Our interventions are diverting significant amounts of waste from disposal and creating livelihood opportunities for vulnerable groups. WasteAid’s programme in The Gambia has culminated in the development of a Circular Economy Network in the Greater Banjul Area, where there is exciting momentum for sustainable resource management.

Why is Wasteaid here?

The Gambia is Africa’s smallest mainland country and has very limited waste management capacity. Open dumping and burning of waste leads to poor health, economic losses and climate emissions, and has been recognised at both local and national levels as a priority for sustainable development.

On the Human Development Index, The Gambia ranks 172 out of 189 countries, with a poverty rate of 48 percent and, as of 2022, a youth unemployment rate of 41.8 percent.

The Gambia is one of the few countries committed to meeting the Paris Agreement to keep global warming below 1.5C. Alongside reducing climate emissions, the Ministry of Environment is focused on protecting the country’s natural resources and building resilience to climate shocks such as drought and floods.

Implementing circular waste and recycling initiatives can play a significant role in preventing climate emissions, building climate resilience, and creating much-needed sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Our stories from The Gambia

One woman’s mission to eliminate plastic while finding value in waste

Amie is one of hundreds of waste collectors who have benefited from WasteAid’s programmes. She tells a familiar story of working hard every day collecting plastic waste from the beach and river in her fishing village, a short drive from Gambia’s capital city, Banjul. Before becoming part of a...

From lectures to lighting up the Gambia with clean energy – meet green entrepreneur Sulayman Darboe

Most people in Sulayman Darboe’s position would be considering a comfortable office job with all the security that goes along with it. However, the 26-year-old Gambian has never been one to follow the crowd. The first one of his family to go to university, he has his sights set...

Country Programme Overview

WasteAid has been active in The Gambia since 2015, training women in waste processing activities and running an international conference on Waste Management for Community Resilience. WasteAid works across different waste streams to deliver its programme in The Gambia. In 2018-2020, WasteAid ran a UK government-funded pilot project to combat plastic pollution in the coastal community of Gunjur, training youth, women and people with disabilities to turn plastic bags into useful products like paving tiles.

Addressing food waste

Most recently WasteAid has been delivering an EU-funded project in partnership with a key municipality, to divert food waste from disposal and train women farmers to make compost and sustainable cooking fuel. Through this approach we are reducing deforestation, improving livelihoods and climate resilience, and preventing climate change emissions.

Building waste management capacity

We continue to develop our programmes in the country with the aim of raising waste management up the political agenda, promoting best practice through mentoring, knowledge transfer and training, and showcasing what can be achieved through sustainable waste management practices and recycling.

Whilst The Gambia faces significant waste management challenges, the country also has engaged policy makers, able local authorities and active community-based organisations all intent on improving waste management and embarking upon a national green recovery process.

Climate Action

WasteAid has been able to foster excellent relations at Ministerial level which has culminated in the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, H.E. Mr Lamin Dibba championing our current circular economy network initiative that began in January 2022. WasteAid was also delighted to be able to shine a light on the issue of waste in The Gambia through an event during COP26 in Glasgow with H.E. Mr Dibba making valuable contributions to our panel discussion, alongside key stakeholders from the public, private, academic and community sectors.

Circular Economy Network

We are currently working to support and promote the waste management and recycling sector in The Gambia, not least through WasteAid’s Circular Economy Network which will improve the way resources and wastes are managed, preventing pollution and supporting innovation and livelihoods in a green economy. WasteAid is building capacity among government, entrepreneurs and vulnerable communities, enabling resources to be kept in the loop to benefit all of society.

From lectures to lighting up The Gambia with clean energy - Sulayman's story

Sulayman Darboe is an innovative entrepreneur creating change in The Gambia. Through his business, Green Waste Initiative, Sulayman has worked hard to generate demand for the fuel briquettes, working directly with communities to educate them on the health risks of burning firewood and the alternatives available. They have also used radio appearances to help get the word out about this initiative. Building partnerships with the charcoal producers themselves to encourage them to consider transitioning to greener sources has been critical to their approach and they are also working with the Ministry of Forestry to help spread the word to local communities.

Sulayman was one of the finalists of WasteAid’s Waste to Use Challenge where he received tailored business training and the opportunity to pitch for seed funding to grow his business. As the business grows Sulayman hopes that not only will the business help improve the quality of lives for communities who rely on burning wood for fuel but that he will be able to create further job opportunities for people in rural areas.

Read Sulayman's full story

This Circular Economy Network will support our national green recovery initiative, protect natural resources and prevent climate emissions. Importantly, it will raise the profile of sustainable resource management and provide a platform for national stakeholders and waste managers in the UK to collaborate.

H.E. Lamin Dibba

Minister of Environment, Natural Resources & Climate Change

We were pleased to host the launch of this Circular Economy Network project led by WasteAid, which will add to the momentum that has already built up for a green recovery here in The Gambia. WasteAid and British waste management professionals will be sharing their experience and expertise with Gambian counterparts, further strengthening the ties between our two countries.

David Belgrove

British High Commissioner to The Gambia

Creating new pathways for sustainable resource management will accelerate progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By diverting biodegradable waste from Bakoteh dumpsite and using it to enhance agricultural practices, this project will contribute to a green economy and provide inclusive opportunities, particularly for women.

Mayor Bensouda

Kanifing Municipal Council

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The Gambia

Why is Wasteaid here?

Our stories from The Gambia

Country Programme Overview

Addressing food waste

Building waste management capacity

Climate Action

Circular Economy Network

From lectures to lighting up The Gambia with clean energy - Sulayman's story

Latest News

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