Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – An open letter by investigative journalist Modou Lamin Jammeh to President Adama Barrow has cast a spotlight on growing discontent among Gambians in the diaspora, who say persistent bureaucratic barriers are discouraging them from investing in the country.
In the letter, Jammeh detailed how he and his partners based in the United States spent months attempting to invest millions of dalasis into renewable energy projects in The Gambia. However, he said the effort was ultimately abandoned due to what he described as systemic delays and obstruction.
“We came prepared, committed, and ready to contribute meaningfully to national development,” Jammeh wrote. “Instead of support, we encountered delays, obstruction, and a system that appears either unwilling or unable to facilitate legitimate investment.”
According to Jammeh, the failed venture reflects a broader pattern affecting Gambians abroad. He warned that many in the diaspora have quietly withdrawn investment interest after encountering similar challenges, raising concerns about the country’s ability to attract much-needed private capital.
“This is not an isolated experience. Many Gambians in the diaspora have faced the same resistance and have quietly withdrawn their interest,” he stated, adding that such trends risk undermining national development efforts.
The journalist also linked the issue to ongoing challenges in the energy sector, arguing that The Gambia cannot afford to turn away credible private investment at a time of persistent electricity shortages and frequent blackouts.
“At a time when the country struggles with unreliable electricity and frequent blackouts, rejecting credible solutions is not just disappointing; it is irresponsible,” he said.
Jammeh’s letter further singled out the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency, the country’s key investment promotion body, calling for greater scrutiny of its operations. He raised concerns over leadership, transparency, and what he described as the departure of experienced professionals from the agency.
“There are serious questions about leadership, transparency, and the steady exit of competent professionals from the agency,” he wrote, questioning whether current systems are effectively serving national interests.
He also alleged that corruption and favoritism are undermining the investment environment, with access to opportunities increasingly perceived to depend on personal connections rather than merit.
“It is no longer subtle or deniable,” Jammeh wrote. “It is affecting how decisions are made, who benefits, and who is excluded.”
The concerns are likely to resonate strongly with diaspora communities, long encouraged by the government to invest back home. Jammeh argued that such calls risk losing credibility in the absence of tangible reforms.
“Encouragement without an enabling environment is meaningless,” he wrote, urging institutional reforms, stronger accountability, and renewed efforts to restore investor confidence.
The letter concludes with a direct appeal for decisive action from the government, warning that failure to address these systemic issues could continue to drive away potential investors.
“The Gambia belongs to all of us, not a select few,” Jammeh stated.
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