EU ambassador Immaculada Roca I Cortés and President Barrow
By Buba Gagigo
The European Union (EU) has disbursed D718.2 million (equivalent to €9.5 million) to the Gambian government as part of the second installment under the “State and Resilience Building Contract for The Gambia 4” budget support programme.
In a statement, the EU highlighted that the allocation includes a fixed tranche of €2 million, acknowledging advancements in public policy, macroeconomic stability, public financial management, and budget transparency. An additional variable tranche of €7.5 million was released based on progress in transitional justice, social protection, and public financial management.
“The European Union allocated 718.2 million Dalasi (9.5 Million EURO) to the government. This new payment is the 2nd disbursement under the budget support programme (the “State and Resilience Building Contract for The Gambia 4”). It is comprised of a fixed tranche of 2 Million EURO that is recognizing progress in the areas of Public Policy, Macroeconomic Stability, Public Financial Management and Budget Transparency and Oversight. The second, variable tranche is of 7.5 Million EUR and is paid on the basis of targets met in the areas of transitional justice, social protection and public financial management,” the EU said.
The EU’s budget support aims to bolster several specific objectives, including strengthening the rule of law and the transitional justice framework—while ensuring gender considerations are integrated—improving migration management, expanding social protection systems, and enhancing the accountability of public financial management in delivering essential services to citizens.
In addition to the financial support, the programme includes ongoing strategic-level policy dialogue and complementary measures such as technical assistance in public financial management and social protection. The EU will also provide grants to support the rights of persons with disabilities in The Gambia.
EU Ambassador Immaculada Roca I Cortés emphasized: “The budget support’s goal is to accompany the Gambian Government’s efforts to consolidate a peaceful, inclusive and democratic society in The Gambia, while promoting social protection and gender equality.” She added: “The objectives cover a wide range of areas that have been defined together with the government. The path in reinforcing a democratic Gambia requires the commitment of all state actors and partners, and we are glad to play our active part, which reflects the longstanding European solidarity.”
This latest disbursement follows a previous payment of 12 million Euros made in December 2023. The final payment under this programme is expected in the fourth quarter of 2025, with a potential amount of up to 14.5 million Euros, contingent upon the fulfillment of disbursement conditions. Since 2017, the EU has provided over 10.2 billion Dalasi (135 million Euros) to The Gambia through four State and Resilience Building Budget Support Programmes.