Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Beyond early media reports, the Mansakonko breakthrough for regional integration and trade facilitation between Senegal and The Gambia has eliminated several border fees and streamlined transit processes for transporters along key trade corridors. If well implemented, it will simply be a game changer. The agreement addresses long-standing barriers affecting cross-border transportation between the two countries.

The removal of these barriers will not only save time and money for transporters but will also boost economic growth and development in both countries. The increased efficiency in cross-border transportation will lead to an increase in trade volume and create new business opportunities for entrepreneurs on both sides of the border.

Selety Border Post (Banjul to Bissau Corridor)

Gambian transit transporters previously faced multiple fees when crossing the Selety border into Senegal. These included a Laissez-passer fee of 5,000 CFA for a 10-day pass, with a renewal fee of 10,000 CFA for an additional 15 days. In contrast, The Gambia has been granting Senegalese vehicles an automatic one-month Laissez-passer. Following the Mansakonko meeting, Senegal has now agreed to reciprocate by offering a 30-day Laissez-passer for Gambian vehicles.

Moreover, transporters were compelled to hire a private Senegalese transit company at the border, paying 225,000 CFA for processing re-entry of goods certified by The Gambia, along with an additional 60,000 CFA for verification. These charges have now been abolished as part of the new agreement.

Other fees, such as the 75,000 CFA truck escort fee by Senegalese customs, remain in place. However, the 35,000 CFA exit note fee at the border with Guinea-Bissau has been removed. The agreement also eliminates payments at various checkpoints along the corridor, where transporters were previously charged 2,000 CFA per checkpoint.

Bissau to Banjul Corridor

Gambian trucks transporting scrap metal from Bissau into Senegal faced a series of charges, including a 5,000 CFA Laissez-passer for three days, a 25,000 CFA escort fee to Ziguinchor, and a 150,000 CFA fee for hiring a clearing agent upon arrival in Ziguinchor. Additionally, a 25,000 CFA exit fee was required when entering The Gambia. These charges have now been abolished under the new arrangement.

Banjul to Mali Corridor

At the Bajara border post, Gambian transit transporters were previously charged 5,000 CFA for a 10-day Laissez-passer, with a renewal fee of 10,000 CFA for an additional 15 days. Senegal has now agreed to match The Gambia’s policy of issuing a 30-day Laissez-passer. Transporters were also subjected to hiring a private Senegalese transit company, paying up to 645,000 CFA for comprehensive services from Bajara/Wellingara to Kidira. With the new agreement, these charges have been abolished, leaving only an escort fee of 150,000 CFA.

Banjul to Conakry Corridor

Transit truckers who previously paid 400,000 CFA for an all-inclusive process will now benefit from reduced costs, with all charges eliminated except for a 75,000 CFA escort fee.

Trucks Carrying Basalt from Dakar to Banjul

Transporters moving basalt from Dakar to Banjul were charged a 5,000 CFA Laissez-passer fee for 10 days, with a renewal fee of 10,000 CFA. They also paid a 20,000 CFA exit note fee. Under the Mansakonko agreement, the exit note payment has been abolished.

Additionally, the mandatory payment of 80,000 CFA for goods purchased from Senegal valued above 500,000 CFA has also been eliminated.

The outcome of the Mansakonko meeting marks a significant step forward in fostering closer ties between Senegal and The Gambia. The agreement is seen as a win-win for both countries, rekindling the spirit of Senegambian integration and enhancing trade relations to levels not seen before in the history of the two nations.