Nestled on the West African coast, The Gambia is a small yet vibrant country with a population of 2.5 million people.

With a small area and remote location, The Gambia shares common environmental challenges with many Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

In 2022, as part of our Government Partnerships Programme, Common Seas partnered with the National Environment Agency in The Gambia to understand the scale of the country’s plastic pollution problem and identify policies to tackle it. This year, the work culminated in the publication of the National Action Plan to End Plastic Pollution in The Gambia.

The plan’s baseline assessment showed that The Gambia generates 22,800 tonnes of plastic waste per year. Of this, more than a quarter leaks into rivers and the Atlantic Ocean.

Without intervention, this figure is expected to rise by 42% by 2033. But there is hope. When The Gambia’s President signed the National Action Plan (NAP), it marked a pivotal commitment: the NAP outlines policies that can reduce plastic consumption by an impressive 86% within the next decade.

The importance of financial mechanisms

The first step in implementing this ambitious plan was identifying the financial resources and mechanisms that would be needed to deliver change.

Building on the momentum from the NAP’s launch, we convened a Finance Workshop at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center. The workshop brought together 47 participants - including government officials, private sector leaders, and local NGOs - to foster collaboration and action.

Presentations featured insights from global experts and local case studies, building a space for dialogue and new partnerships. By the end of the day, we had identified funding priorities, clarified roles for key stakeholders, and created collaborative strategies to support the NAP’s implementation.

This workshop not only set the stage for progress in The Gambia but also serves as a prototype for broader adoption.

What's next in The Gambia

Following the endorsement of the National Action Plan and our initial workshop, activities are now focussing on education and awareness - critical for driving long-term change. Around one-third of The Gambia’s population is of school age, and – as future citizens – these young people will play a vital role in shaping the country’s future.

In collaboration with the NEA, discussions are underway to introduce an educational program tailored for Gambian schools.

As The Gambia embarks on this journey to combat plastic pollution, it is setting a strong example ahead of the Global Plastics Treaty, providing valuable lessons and inspiration for others, and strengthening its influence in the global movement against plastic pollution.