President Adama Barrow has on Friday officially launched the Gambia’s second National Development Plan (NDP) for 2023–2027, replacing the now-expired NDP that laid the foundations for the country’s socio-economic and political resurgence. The new four-year plan, known as the Yiriwa recovery-focused plan, aims to address the recovery needs of the Gambia amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, which have impacted economies worldwide.
The Yiriwa plan sets out the government’s development objectives across various sectors, including governance and institutional reforms, macroeconomic stability and growth, human capital development, agricultural and fossil development, environmental management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, infrastructure development and connectivity, poverty reduction, and resilience building.
President Barrow expressed optimism that the plan would help address the triple development challenges facing the Gambia, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and the risk of debt distress. The plan outlines a funding scenario of 3.5 billion U.S. dollars in an optimistic scenario and 2.8 billion U.S. dollars in a conservative scenario.
President Barrow emphasized that the plan aligns with Agenda 2030 and the African Union Agenda 2063, highlighting its role in advancing the country’s development goals. He thanked the Gambia’s friends and development partners for their steadfast support, which has been crucial in shaping the nation’s resilience and progress.
Sidi Keita, the Gambia’s Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, emphasized the inclusive and participatory nature of the plan’s development, involving consultations with stakeholders at the global, regional, and national levels. He underscored the plan’s potential to positively impact the lives and livelihoods of Gambians.
Minister Keita highlighted the government’s commitment to a vigorous resource mobilization campaign, focusing on domestic resource mobilization, multilateral and bilateral development partners, and the private sector and philanthropic organizations. He stressed the need for effective coordination and collaboration among all stakeholders for the successful implementation of the plan.
The launch of the Yiriwa recovery-focused plan signals a new phase in the Gambia’s development journey, with a renewed focus on recovery, resilience, and sustainable development. The plan’s success will depend on the collective efforts of the government, development partners, and all stakeholders in working towards a prosperous future for the Gambia. Reporting for QTV News, I am Alusise.
