The Gambia Circular Economy Diagnostic has been launched to explore opportunities for circular economy practices within the tourism sector. The initiative addresses significant challenges in resource efficiency and environmental sustainability, particularly focusing on plastic waste management and recycling. Despite attracting over $45 million in foreign investments since 2015, only a small portion of these funds has been allocated to managing the environmental impact of tourism.
According to the study, municipal solid waste generation increased from 0.4 million tons in 2011 to 0.6 million tons in 2020, with organic waste comprising 51% of the total. Waste management remains fragmented with limited formal collection services. The energy sector relies heavily on non-renewable sources like oil, with renewable energy contributing just 43% of the supply. Although The Gambia River provides ample surface water, potable water is mainly sourced from groundwater, which faces risks of contamination and over-extraction.
The report offers strategies to enhance resource efficiency and promote circularity tailored to The Gambia's geographic and economic conditions. It also evaluates the potential market size for sustainability initiatives in tourism, revealing a strong willingness among businesses to adopt sustainable practices despite financial constraints and infrastructure limitations.
High-priority initiatives include establishing an Integrated Waste Management Facility in Kanifing and introducing electric riverboat excursions along The Gambia River. These efforts aim to improve waste management systems, reduce plastic waste significantly, diversify tourism activities along the river, create jobs, and boost business sales.
Institutional and regulatory reforms are necessary to support these initiatives. Recommendations include implementing green procurement practices, training hotels and restaurants in proper waste management, updating the Waste Bill, and integrating sustainable tourism practices into national policies. These steps could strengthen The Gambia's economic resilience and environmental sustainability while positioning it as a leader in circular economy practices within tourism.
In February 2025, the World Bank initiated one such follow-up project: sustainability training for hotels and restaurants through a free online course accessible to all interested parties. For more details contact: bconteh@worldbank.org.
Tourism plays a vital role in The Gambia's economy by contributing approximately 14.3% to GDP and about 13.5% to employment according to estimates from the World Tourism and Travel Council. International tourist arrivals reached 206,836 visitors in 2023—a rise of 13% compared to 2022 levels but still below pre-pandemic figures. Tourism activity is concentrated near Banjul’s coast with most consumption relying on imports rather than local products.
While international tourism often dominates low-income countries' sectors over domestic tourism due partly due dominance by international operators limiting local growth potential—government investments aim at improving infrastructure efficiency across roads ports energy projects enhancing operational effectiveness within this sector.