GoTG-AfDB funded GAMIRSALEP Project Concludes ToT on Access to Finance for Agric. Investments

More than 24 actors along the agricultural value chain on Thursday October 2, 2025 concluded a four-day Training of Trainers Workshop on how to develop bankable and climate-resilient business plans to facilitate access to lending from Financial Institutions.  The workshop also aims to strengthen the capacity of actors along the Agricultural value chain on financial literacy and credit management as well as raise awareness on the project activities.

The synergy was organized by The Gambia Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Establishment Project (GAMIRSALEP) under the Central Projects Coordinating Unit (CPCU) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Alhagie Nyangado, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security noted that finance is one of the most important things in agricultural development. He however acknowledged that access to finance for investment in commercial agriculture remains a huge challenge. He said: “Lending to agriculture is risky for financial institutions and GAMIRSALEP project was initiated by the Government of The Gambia and African Development Bank to facilitate lending through risk sharing. This workshop is designed to raise your awareness on how GAMIRSAL will guarantee farmers to access finance from financial institutions”.

Mr. Nyangado urged participants to make good use of the opportunity, listen to the facilitator, participate in the sessions and be proactive trainers of other farmers and potential borrowers for productive private investments in commercial agriculture.

Mr. Abdoulie Touray, Coordinator, CPCU of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security also explained the rationale for the GAMIRSALEP. He said The Gambia Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Project (GAMIRSALEP) will facilitate the establishment of the risk sharing facility dubbed “The Gambia Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending” GAMIRSAL.

Mr. Ali Jawo, Director, GAMIRSALEP project, explained that GAMIRSALEP is a USD8.461million project co-funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) with a grant of US$6.6m) and a Counterpart Contribution of (US$1.861m) from The Gambian Government.