The beneficiary institutions are the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS), Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), Gambia Immigration Department (GID), and the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC). The presentation ceremony was held at the ministry’s conference room in Banjul.
This strategic equipment donation forms part of broader efforts to bolster evidence-based tourism planning and policy development, while supporting the operations of the Management Information System for Tourism (MIST).
Presiding over the event, Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Hon. Abdoullahi Jobe, described the occasion as more than a routine handover. “It symbolises a shared commitment to transforming how The Gambia understands, measures, and grows its tourism sector grounded in reliable data,” he said.
The minister explained that assessments conducted to strengthen the national tourism statistics system had identified key gaps in data infrastructure. “The findings and recommendations from those assessments laid the blueprint for today’s intervention through the TDRGP, backed by a World Bank IDA grant,” he noted.
The donated items, tailored to each institution’s operational needs, include high-performance computers, industry-grade tablets, workstations, and server infrastructure.
GTBoard is expected to utilise the equipment for market intelligence and tourism trend analysis. GBoS will enhance its digital field data collection capabilities, improving accuracy. NCAC will apply the tools to monitor cultural tourism metrics, while GID received solar power infrastructure for six border posts, alongside 21 workstations and essential MIDAS support equipment including passport scanners, printers, and servers.
Minister Jobe stressed the importance of accountability and strategic use. “These resources come with responsibility. Institutions must implement maintenance protocols, schedule technical reviews, and assign staff to ensure security and optimal use.”
He further underscored the necessity of establishing a comprehensive Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) to quantify tourism’s true contribution to the national economy, including its indirect benefits across other sectors.
“This initiative will endure beyond any project or administration. It will help ensure that future decisions are made based on facts not assumptions,” he declared.
The Minister also extended appreciation to key partners, including the World Bank for its technical and financial support; Acorn Consultants for their foundational research; and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for advising on MIDAS technical specifications.
He commended the project team for its efficient procurement work and thanked the beneficiary institutions for their collaboration. Before closing, Minister Jobe issued a challenge to recipients:
“Use this equipment to strengthen collaboration, ask the tough questions about our tourism sector, and pursue data-driven answers. Maintain these tools with care, share knowledge generously, and always remember behind every data point are real people: tourism workers, entrepreneurs, artistes, and communities whose livelihoods depend on our stewardship.”
Earlier, Project Coordinator for TDRGP, Mr Momodou Ceesay, welcomed attendees and reiterated the significance of the equipment. A representative of the Gambia Immigration Department, speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, also expressed heartfelt gratitude to MOTAC and the PIU of TDRGP for their continued support.
