Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Lamin Jabbi, has assured Gambians that national telecom institutions Gamcel and Gamtel have not been sold, dismissing long-standing rumors about their fate. He made the remarks on Saturday while serving as the special guest at the fourth nightly Mansa Kunda Town Hall, a government platform designed to connect ministers directly with citizens on national policy issues.
Minister Jabbi described the communications and digital economy sector as a “critical enabler” of The Gambia’s socio-economic transformation, underscoring its centrality to national development and security.
Addressing speculation around privatization, Jabbi clarified that the government has only invited investment to stabilize and modernize the sector.
“In creating a digital economy, you cannot let go of everything. It’s not happening anywhere in the world. If you sell everything that is your critical infrastructure today, tomorrow, what do you have if they walk away?” he asked.
On Gamtel, the minister explained that its restructuring under a public-private partnership led to downsizing, with some staff voluntarily leaving and receiving compensation.
For Gamcel, he confirmed that the government is selling shares but has prioritized Gambian firms over foreign bidders. “If you give it to a local company, whatever money they get tomorrow, the money sits here. It’s never going to be floated out of this country,” he said.
Jabbi revealed that a local company has already been approved to inject approximately 6.7 billion dalasis into Gamcel.
The investment, he said, will transform the company’s services with advanced technology upgrades, including the rollout of nationwide 4G LTE and 5G networks.
The investor has pledged to build nearly 300 new 4G LTE sites and over 25 5G sites in the Greater Banjul Area. The government expects to finalize the agreement by late October or early November, pending cabinet approval.
The minister also highlighted legislative reforms, noting that the reviewed ICT Act has produced a modern communications bill, already validated and approved by cabinet.
The bill is currently before the National Assembly and is expected to become law by the end of 2026. According to Jabbi, the new legislation will enhance regulatory oversight, strengthen governance, and foster competition, innovation, and investment in the sector.
The Mansa Kunda Town Hall, initiated by the Ministry of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, continues to serve as an interactive forum where Gambians directly engage with senior government officials on policy matters.
