Building a Climate-Resilient Future for The Gambia

The small West African country of The Gambia is one of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, despite contributing to less than 0.01% of global GHG emissions. Extreme weather events and slow onset events such as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and sea level rise are not just environmental concerns but threats to the country’s inhabitants. Every sector is affected, particularly agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, and the eco-system. In other to address these issues, the Gambia must make strong commitments to integrating climate adaptation strategies into its national development plans.

With a population of over 2.5 million and an undiversified economy, agriculture remains the most important sector. According to the World Bank, agriculture contributes 22.6% to its GDP and employs nearly 70% of its workforce. Despite its significance, the sector’s reliance on rain-fed agriculture and subsistence farming systems makes it highly vulnerable to climate variabilities. In recent years, prolonged droughts and destructive floods have affected crop yield, leaving many rural families struggling with food insecurity. In addition to these extreme events, sea level rise leading to coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion compounded the issue, affecting arable land and diminishing freshwater resources

Given the nation’s circumstances, numerous initiatives have been undertaken to address these climate-induced challenges. The National Climate Change Policy (2016–2025) emphasizes mainstreaming climate considerations into key sectors, while the Long-Term Climate-Neutral Development Strategy 2050 outlines a vision for net-zero emissions by 2050. The recently launched Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Implementation Plan (2021–2030) further operationalizes these commitments.

However, good policies are never enough. Translating these policy frameworks into tangible outcomes has always been a challenge. Limited financial resources, institutional capacity gap, and weak coordination among stakeholders continue to be the main barriers to successful implementation. Moreover, the absence of an integrated data management system on climate impacts makes evidence-based decision-making difficult. Meanwhile, outdated land policies and planning systems further exacerbate existing vulnerabilities.

Addressing these barriers requires strengthening the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) mandate for effective integration and coordination of climate change strategies. Capacity-building programs should be prioritized to equip government agencies with the technical expertise needed to implement and monitor adaptation projects. Enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector will ensure that adaptation strategies are inclusive and effective. Moreover, the Gambia’s engagement with regional frameworks such as ECOWAS and initiatives like LIFE-AR can provide valuable financial and technical support.  Additionally, international climate finance mechanisms, including the Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility, and the Adaptation Fund, present significant untapped potential for mobilizing resources to finance adaptation initiatives.

Locally-driven initiatives are proving vital in building resilience. For instance, the Large-scale Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project, has restored degraded forests and agricultural lands, promoted sustainable livelihoods, and enhanced the capacity of rural populations to withstand climate shocks. Similarly, the Rural Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resilience Building (RICAR) Project is empowering communities to adopt diversified, climate-resilient livelihoods. The Gambia Resilience Project will also follow suit, as the project aims to provide strategic, and technical support for the large-scale restoration of mangrove ecosystems and the resilient development of coastal communities. Scaling such initiatives requires an emphasis on inclusivity, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and rural populations. Women farmers, for instance, are often the most affected by climate variability, yet they have valuable traditional knowledge that can enhance adaptation strategies. Providing microfinance opportunities for women to adopt climate-resilient agricultural practices can strengthen community resilience and gender equality.

Beyond safeguarding lives and livelihoods, investing in climate adaptation presents meaningful economic opportunities for the Gambia. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA), for example, could significantly enhance agricultural productivity and food security while creating jobs in the green economy. The World Economic Forum and the World Resources Institute have highlighted that every dollar invested in adaptation yields significant economic returns, including reduced disaster recovery costs and increased productivity.

The Gambia must prioritize strengthening institutional frameworks, mobilizing financial resources, and investing in data collection and climate research to achieve these goals. Additionally, Community engagement and a bottom-up approach must also be prioritized; after all, those living on the frontlines of the climate crisis often have the best insights into locally viable solutions. Finally, addressing land use and promoting sustainable agricultural practices will help protect the environment while securing livelihoods for rural communities.

The stakes have never been higher. The Gambia’s efforts to integrate climate adaptation into its national development plans are not merely about environmental sustainability, they are about ensuring economic stability, protecting lives, and securing a better future for all Gambians. With bold leadership, innovative thinking, and a commitment to action, The Gambia can turn its vulnerabilities into opportunities and build a resilient, sustainable economy for generations to come.