## Understanding Economic Growth in The Gambia: Challenges and Policy Implications

_Selected Issues Papers, July 21, 2026_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Understanding Economic Growth in The Gambia: Challenges and Policy Implications](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2026/07/21/understanding-economic-growth-in-the-gambia-challenges-and-policy-implications-577931)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2026/07/21/understanding-economic-growth-in-the-gambia-challenges-and-policy-implications-577931/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2026/07/21/understanding-economic-growth-in-the-gambia-challenges-and-policy-implications-577931/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2026/07/21/understanding-economic-growth-in-the-gambia-challenges-and-policy-implications-577931/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Ali J Al-Sadiq, Nour Bouzouita, Chie Aoyagi
- Published: July 21, 2026
- Series: Selected Issues Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229054607.018

---

### Overview
- Authors: Ali J Al-Sadiq, Nour Bouzouita, Chie Aoyagi
- Publication date: July 21, 2026
- Abstract summary:
  - This paper highlights past, current and future drivers of The Gambia’s growth and suggests reforms to enhance growth potential and productivity.
  - The Gambia needs to accelerate structural reforms to boost total factor productivity (TFP).

### Key findings and drivers of growth
- Past, current, and future drivers of The Gambia’s growth are analyzed with emphasis on total factor productivity (TFP).
- Structural constraints limiting growth potential include governance, institutional capacity, agricultural productivity, business environment, access to finance, economic concentration, human capital gaps, and infrastructure shortfalls.

### Policy recommendations and reforms
- Strengthen governance and institutional capacity.
- Maintain macroeconomic stability through prudent fiscal and monetary policies.
- Raise agricultural productivity.
- Foster private sector–led growth through improvements in the business environment and access to finance.
- Promote economic diversification.
- Invest in human capital.
- Address critical infrastructure gaps.

### Subjects and keywords
- Subject: Agricultural sector, Economic growth, Economic sectors, Growth accounting, Production, Productivity, Total factor productivity
- Keywords: Africa, Agricultural sector, Economic Growth, Global, Government Effectiveness, Growth accounting, IMF country, issues paper, policy implication, Potential growth, Productivity, S.D. innovation, Sub-Saharan Africa, The Gambia, Total Factor Productivity, understanding economic growth in The Gambia

---

## Content in this bundle

- **Sipea2026067**
  - [Sipea2026067 (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/selected-issues-papers/2026/english/sipea2026067.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Sipea2026067 (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/selected-issues-papers/2026/english/sipea2026067.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

---

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2026/07/21/understanding-economic-growth-in-the-gambia-challenges-and-policy-implications-577931_