Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia continues to serve as both a source and transit hub for migrants from across West Africa – including Mali, Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria – seeking to reach Europe through irregular sea routes.
In recent years, the West African Atlantic Route (WAAR) has seen a resurgence in departures, with increasing numbers of migrants attempting the perilous journey to the Canary Islands. Between January and March 2025 alone, 9,424 migrants arrived irregularly in the islands.
While many departed from Morocco and Mauritania, The Gambia’s coastline has also emerged as a significant departure point.
To track the trend, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) The Gambia has been monitoring key departure points along the country’s coastline since March 2025 through its Departure Areas Monitoring Tool.
This system relies on reports from Community Focal Points (CFPs) to gather data on migrant profiles, departure patterns, and associated risks.
March–April 2025 Departures
Between March and April 2025, IOM recorded 1,919 departures from Gambian shores bound for the Canary Islands, Spain, Mauritania, and Senegal.
Of these migrants, 78% were Gambians, 16% Senegalese, 5% Malians, and 1% from other nationalities. Meanwhile, 89% were male (1,764), 8% female (155), and 3% children (51).
IOM reported that 10 boats left The Gambia during this period, with some heading directly to the Canary Islands and others transiting along West African coastlines. CFPs also documented six migrant recruitment campaigns and six boat construction activities in the same period.
The risks remain severe. CFPs highlighted that overcrowding and the use of poor-quality vessels heighten the danger of shipwrecks and disappearances. Migrants departing from remote coastal areas in the North Bank and West Coast regions are also highly vulnerable to abuse, extortion, and exploitation.
May–June 2025 Departures
Between May and June 2025, the number of recorded departures rose to 2,141 – a 9% increase compared to the previous two months – despite a drop in the number of boats from 10 to 9.
According to IOM, 80% of migrants were Gambians, 15% Senegalese, 2% Malians, 2% Bissau-Guineans, and less than 1% Nigerians. Meanwhile, 91% were male (1,954), 6% female (123), and 3% children (64).
During this period, CFPs identified 24 events linked to possible or actual departures, including nine recruitment campaigns – a 33% increase from March-April – and five boat construction incidents. One vessel was also sighted on the high seas.
IOM noted that some boats were heading directly to Mauritania, while others were using intermediate stops along other West African coastlines before attempting the crossing to Europe.
In just five months – from March to June 2025 – over 4,000 migrants are believed to have departed The Gambia’s shores on irregular sea journeys.
The figures underscore the country’s growing role in West Africa’s migration crisis and highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the dangerous exodus.
