Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia Telecommunications Company (GAMTEL) on Tuesday signed a major partnership agreement with ICT firm SYSROAD, a deal described by sector stakeholders as one of the most significant network upgrade and expansion initiatives in the company’s history and a strategic milestone for The Gambia’s digital transformation agenda.
The signing ceremony, was attended by senior government officials and institutional partners, including representatives from the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (MOCDE), the Ministry of Finance, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Unit, the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Commission, the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA), the Ministry of Justice, and GAMTEL/GAMCEL management. SYSROAD was represented by its Managing Director, Muhammed Fall. GAMTEL and GAMCEL management were led by the Managing Director, Mr. Lamin A. Tunkara.
Under the agreement, GAMTEL’s national core and backbone network capacity will be upgraded from 500 gigabits to 800 gigabits, significantly strengthening the resilience and reach of the country’s telecommunications infrastructure. The project also includes substantial expansion of fixed-line services and broadband wireless connectivity, aimed at delivering more reliable and accessible services nationwide.
According to GAMTEL, the project will directly support key sectors of the economy, including education, healthcare, commerce, finance, and public service delivery, by providing faster, more stable, and more widely available broadband connectivity.
Beyond the technical scope, the agreement carries symbolic and institutional weight for GAMTEL.
In a Christmas message issued to staff of GAMTEL, GAMCEL, and GTMI following the signing, Managing Director Lamin A. Tunkara described the deal as a decisive break from years of uncertainty and dependence on emergency interventions.
“Unlike many previous years, when we often found ourselves praying for a bailout, whether through government intervention or private-sector partnerships, Christmas 2025 has arrived early, and it has come bearing hope,” Mr. Tunkara said.
He described the contract as a “landmark” initiative and one of the largest network upgrade and expansion programs in GAMTEL’s history, targeting both corporate clients and last-mile users across the length and breadth of the country.
“This achievement is not merely a contract; it is a testament to resilience, belief, and the collective effort of a dedicated team that refused to give up on the future of our institution,” he added.
For The Gambia, the partnership is expected to reinforce national digital infrastructure at a time when reliable connectivity is increasingly central to economic competitiveness, service delivery, and social inclusion. For GAMTEL, it represents a strategic repositioning—moving from survival-driven interventions toward long-term infrastructure investment and sustainability.
Mr. Tunkara described the signing as an “early Christmas gift” not only to GAMTEL staff but also to partners and the Gambian public, underscoring its national significance.
Through the GAMTEL–SYSROAD partnership, both parties say they are laying the foundation for faster, more resilient, and more accessible broadband services that will support economic growth and accelerate the country’s digital development in the years ahead.
