MOCDE's strategy is to strengthen digital infrastructure and enhance digital policy and regulatory/instruments to inspire the proliferation of digital solutions in the economy for improved productivity and outcomes across all sectors. On the current digital economy landscape of Submarine Cable, The Gambia experienced a significant improvement in its telecommunications infrastructure with the introduction of the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable in 2012.
On the second submarine cable, US$25 million funding has been secured through the World Bank and the hiring of the transaction advisor is in progress. On mobile data, The Gambia has realised a reduction of coat in mobile data usage. The impact of the IMEI regulation will generate over D400 million on services over the next five years, increase the annual importation tax on mobile phones to D319 million and combat cloning and counterfeit IMEI. On achievements of digital addressing, total properties, including residences, businesses and other landmarks addressed amounting to132,937 in Banjul, KMC and Brikama.
In a year-round delivery of the Ministry’s achievements, Ousman O. Bah, Minister for MOCD, stated that throughout the year, his ministry witnessed substantial progress in the design, development formulation and implementation of policies, strategies, bills, and regulations aimed at fostering the growth of the digital economy in the country. These achievements,he added, include successful collaborations, the signing of crucial MoU with bilateral partners, and numerous engagements with various stakeholders within and outside of The Gambia.
“The president’s visionary leadership and wisdom in establishing the MOCDE reflect his commitment to positioning the country as a digital hub in the region,” he said. “His support coupled with the backing given to the digital economy sector and for approving all cabinet papers passed in 2023. This underscores the government’s dedication to technological advancement and leveraging technology for development and socio-economic transformation,” he said.
Looking ahead, Minister Bah emphasises that he envisions the Gambia prominently featured in the global indexes for ITC and digital economy sector, reiterating that this includes benchmarks such as the global e-government index, ITC index, connectivity index, network readiness index and other relevant metrics.
“The Gambia ranked 174 out of 193 countries in the UN e-government development index in 2022, rising seven places following the prior survey conducted in 2020,” he stated, adding: “The Gambia ranked 143 in the world among 193 countries. The Gambia ranked 159 out of 179 countries in the 2019 ITU’s low consumption mobile-data-voice affordability ranking.”
Hon. Bah further noted that it is not about fancy ranks but evidentially, the ICT and digital economy sector play a pivotal role in socio-economic transformation and development. He says their focus is on leveraging technology as a catalyst for inclusive, sustainable growth and development, job creation, creating a conducive environment for digital innovation and entrepreneurship, and improved service delivery.
Lamin Camara, Permanent Secretary at MOCDE, explained that 2023 was not an easy year for them as the new ministry has been created, saying they have to continue the ongoing activity of the sector, which has been existing. He also identifies their recruitment needs and recruiting drive to optimize their capacity for effective service delivery.
He said they had presented one cabinet paper every month, which culminated into 15 policies based on strategies and plans that would help them realise their digital transformative agenda in line with national, regional and global objectives.
“Collaborating and cooperating with our partners and stakeholders within and outside of the country have resulted in signing bilateral cooperation agreements and also galvanised support for multinational donors, as well as support from the Ministry of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Public Services and other Ministries,” he said.
Furthermore, he emphasised that they would continue to nurture such collaborations to formulate need policies, laws and regulations to foster the development of vibrant digital economy. All these achievements didn’t come easy, he said, adding that it was the result of hard work, teamwork, dedication and commitment.
Lamin Queen Jammeh, Minister of Information, also stated that in 2022, the country witnessed a pivotal moment in the nation’s development with the decoupling of the former Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure into two distinct entities, namely the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy and the Ministry of Information.
This strategic move underscores the commitment to specialization and focuses on the target for the optimal development of both sectors, he said, adding that the creation of MOCDE acknowledges the critical role that ICT and the digital economy play in driving national progress and development.
“This sector is not merely a facilitator of communication but a transformative force that propels our country into the new era of innovation, efficiency and global competitiveness, Minister Jammeh said. “The benefits it brings to our citizens and residents alike are vast from economic empowerment to enhance public services and increase access to information by providing the underlying technology for information dissemination and content broadcasting,” Jammeh said.
Pateh Jah, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Public Service Delivery, said the journey to empower public service more digitally has been marked by collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to modernizing the way they serve people of the country, and has been instrumental in driving positive change.
He noted that one of the remarkable initiatives that has had a profound effect on the civil service is the issued provision of wireless broadband connectivity to government officials through the MOCDE LTE network.
“This strategic move has not only enhanced connectivity but has also empowered officials to work effectively from their homes using the LTE mobile dongles allocated to them by MOCDE,” he said. “This has elevated the boarding on the ministry to invest more in connectivity infrastructure allowing us to focus on another critical aspect of public administration.”
Jah added that their collaboration further extends to the ongoing implementation of the ‘my-gov’ single window service portal. The portal, once completed, he said, would be a testament to both ministries to streamline government services seamlessly by providing a unified platform for citizens to access various government services coupled with the needed service and training to be provided to civil servants and citizens to ensure public service. He added they are at the forefront of implementing the government email policy.
Prof Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MOHEST), thanked President Adama Barrow for his foresight and visionary leadership in establishing MOCDE. The establishment of such a ministry is a clear understanding of the critical role this sector can play in the country’s development struggle, he noted, saying it is a manifestation of the wisdom regarding technology and digital transformation of the president, ensuring transparency and accountability in the fight against corruption in the nation’s governance system. He also says creating jobs and socio-economic development are significant to the country’s transformation process.
“Our nation's progress is intricately woven through the collaborative efforts of various ministries, departments and agencies, all working to propel the country forward,” he stated. “The exemplary collaboration with MOCDE is the recently concluded feasibility study for establishing UTG technology hub and regional information and innovation hub.”
Baboucar Joof, Minister of Trade and the representative of the Vice President, underscored the importance of MOCDE in the productive sector of the economy, saying more than 15 cabinet papers were introduced by his ministry and that the president, vice president and the rest of the cabinet know the amount of passion Minister Ousman O. Bah has brought to the cabinet with those papers on their desk.
He said: “We know the passion he has for those transformations and the fire he brings to the cabinet to ensure a move in those papers. MOCDE also collaborated with the Ministry of Trade because every government ministry allows digital economy into its activities. That’s the way we can bring about the digital transformation.”
