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Promote:Gambia

Export from the Gambia

A short guide for companies selling from the Gambia: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.

1. What the Gambia sells, and who buys it

Top goods exports

2024

  1. 1. Groundnuts (HS 1202)US$15.9 million
  2. 2. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$13.7 million
  3. 3. Sugar (HS 1701)US$7.87 million
  4. 4. Cashew nuts and coconuts (HS 0801)US$1.34 million
  5. 5. Natural sands (HS 2505)US$1.02 million
  6. 6. Fresh fish (HS 0302)US$994,692
  7. 7. Goods transport trucks (HS 8704)US$879,828
  8. 8. Bulldozers and excavators (HS 8429)US$707,422
Show 12 more products
  1. 9. Oilseeds (HS 1207)US$688,247
  2. 10. Sorting and crushing machinery (HS 8474)US$613,613
  3. 11. Mangoes and other tropical fruit (HS 0804)US$608,613
  4. 12. Meat and fish meal (HS 2301)US$598,871
  5. 13. Iron and steel scrap (HS 7204)US$507,292
  6. 14. Perfumery and cosmetic preparations (HS 3307)US$477,168
  7. 15. Refractory cements and mortars (HS 3816)US$474,406
  8. 16. Locust beans and seaweed (HS 1212)US$382,730
  9. 17. Other vegetable fats and oils (HS 1515)US$359,558
  10. 18. Aluminum scrap (HS 7602)US$182,087
  11. 19. Worn clothing (HS 6309)US$178,683
  12. 20. Passenger cars (HS 8703)US$155,644
  • Re-exports were 53.9 percent of 2024 exports, led by petroleum products, sugar, vehicles and machinery; no suggested good was more than 15.7 percent re-exported. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)
  • Balance-of-payments data in the WTO review count US$363.3 million of 2024 goods exports, mostly re-exports, against US$49.6 million reported to UN Comtrade; the two are different measures. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)

Source: UN Comtrade, Gambia exports by product, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024

Where the goods go

2024, share of goods exports

  • China36.3%
  • Mali25.2%
  • Guinea-Bissau14.8%
  • Senegal11.7%
  • India3.5%
  • United Kingdom1.5%
  • Netherlands1.3%
  • Guinea0.9%
  • Re-exports were 53.9 percent of 2024 merchandise exports, so partner shares mix Gambian goods with re-exported goods. Check each line’s origin before you quote. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)
  • As of 2025, per the WTO review, much trade with Senegal, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau moves informally, so reported totals understate exports. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)

Source: UN Comtrade, Gambia exports by destination, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024

2. What to look into next

Our reading

Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.

3. Trade agreements

What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.

  • ECOWAS

    The ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme lets originating products move among member states free of customs duties and taxes of equivalent effect.

    Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access. Industrial goods need an approved enterprise; check the destination member’s treatment before you quote.

    Source: ECOWAS, About the Trade Liberalisation Scheme⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  • African Continental Free Trade Area

    As of 2025, per the WTO review, The Gambia had ratified in April 2019 and appointed a national authority to issue AfCFTA certificates of origin.

    The Gambia’s tariff offer goes through ECOWAS and it skipped the Guided Trade Initiative. Confirm the importing country’s schedule and origin rules before you quote.

    Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of The Gambia, Secretariat report, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of December 17, 2025

  • AGOA

    As of June 30, 2026, The Gambia is one of 33 beneficiaries of AGOA, the United States' trade preference program for eligible African countries.

    Rules-based preference with its own origin rules, not unconditional market access. Check the United States duty on your shipment date.

    Source: Federal Register, AGOA notice, June 30, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2026

  • European Union Everything But Arms

    As of 2025, per the WTO review, The Gambia sends goods to the European Union duty-free and quota-free except arms and ammunition, and fish and groundnut exports use it.

    Rules-based preference. Origin, sanitary and phytosanitary rules apply, and the European Union’s new preference rules from January 1, 2027 need checking.

    Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of The Gambia, Secretariat report, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of December 17, 2025

Show 3 more agreements

  • United Kingdom Developing Countries Trading Scheme

    The United Kingdom lists The Gambia in the Comprehensive Preferences tier: 0 percent tariffs on 99.8 percent of products, all but arms and ammunition.

    Rules-based preference. The exporter makes an origin declaration on a commercial document or a Form A; check the product's origin rule before you claim it.

    Source: GOV.UK, Developing Countries Trading Scheme preference tiers⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of June 19, 2023

  • ECOWAS-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement

    As of 2025, per the WTO review, the agreement was signed but not applied: Nigeria had not signed, and two thirds of West African states must ratify.

    Not yet in effect for sellers. The Gambia uses Everything But Arms in the meantime.

    Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of The Gambia, Secretariat report, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of December 17, 2025

  • The Gambia-Senegal Trade and Transit Cooperation Agreement

    As of 2025, per the WTO review, the March 2020 agreement with Senegal aims to ease transit of petroleum products bound for Mali and goods bound for Guinea-Bissau and Guinea.

    The authorities say its commitments remain pending because border posts lack the transit system. Confirm current border procedures before you ship.

    Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of The Gambia, Secretariat report, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of December 17, 2025

4. Steps to export

The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.

Exporting from the Gambia

  1. Register the business with the Companies Department and get its registration documents.Companies Department, Attorney General's Chambers and Ministry of JusticeName reservation D500; business registration D1,000; incorporation fee by share capitalOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Ministry of Justice, Company Registration page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  2. Get a tax identification number from the Gambia Revenue Authority; customs asks for it on every declaration.Gambia Revenue AuthorityOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Gambia Revenue Authority, Customs and Excise FAQs⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  3. Optionally register as an exporter with GIEPA for support, information, training and possible incentives.Gambia Investment and Export Promotion AgencyOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: GIEPA, Getting Started page for exporters⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  4. Check whether your goods need a regulator’s license or certificate; no general export license is required.Gambia Revenue AuthorityOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Gambia Revenue Authority, Customs and Excise FAQs⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

Show 5 more export steps
  1. Register a food business with the Food Safety and Quality Authority and book inspection of each export consignment.Food Safety and Quality AuthorityGMD 1,000 for a 20-foot container; GMD 1,500 for a 40-foot container in normal hoursOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of The Gambia, Secretariat report, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of December 17, 2025

  2. Get the certificate your product needs: a catch certificate for fish, or a plant or veterinary certificate for other goods.Ministry of Fisheries and Water ResourcesOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of The Gambia, Secretariat report, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of December 17, 2025

  3. Get a certificate of origin from the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry where a preference applies.Gambia Chamber of Commerce and IndustryOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, services page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

  4. Have the exporter or a licensed clearing agent file the export declaration in ASYCUDAWorld.Gambia Revenue AuthorityOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of The Gambia, Secretariat report, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of December 17, 2025

  5. Apply to GIEPA for an export incentive if you export at least 30 percent of output.Gambia Investment and Export Promotion AgencyTen percent corporate or turnover tax concession for five yearsOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: GIEPA, Incentives for Exporters page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026

5. Organizations that help exporters

Start with GIEPA, GRA and GBoS. Each card links to the organization’s own site.

Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets

Export development and market information

Show 2 more organizations

Customs and tax

Standards and sector requirements

Show 4 more organizations

Chambers and industry associations

6. Worth knowing

Show 2 more

7. How Promote:Global helps

  • Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
  • Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
  • Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
  • Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.

Turn this guide into your Gambia project.

Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.

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Promote:Gambia is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.

Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.