Banjul, The Gambia | 25 to 27 December 2025
The President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, H.E. Mr. Abdullah K.H. Al Musaibeeh, has concluded his first official visit to The Gambia, marked by high level engagements, strategic site visits, and landmark developments in the country’s higher education and infrastructure sectors.
H.E. Al Musaibeeh arrived in Banjul on Wednesday, 25 December 2025, where he was warmly received by the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr. Seedy K.M. Keita. The welcoming delegation included the Hon. Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr. Mod A.K. Secka and Mr. Baboucarr Jobe, senior economists Mr. Ali Jobe and Mr. Siaka Jawara, as well as other key officials from the Ministries of Finance and Higher Education.
The visit aimed to further strengthen cooperation between The Gambia and BADEA, with a particular focus on advancing national development priorities. During his stay, the BADEA President held high level courtesy meetings with His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, Cabinet Ministers, and other senior government officials.
USD 16 Million Loan Amendment Signed for UTG Phase II
On Friday, 26 December 2025, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and BADEA signed Amendment Number One to a USD 16 million loan agreement for The University of The Gambia Phase II Project, covering the supply of furniture and equipment.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Seedy K.M. Keita described BADEA as a trusted and longstanding development partner. The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, expressed appreciation for BADEA’s continued support to The Gambia’s higher education sector.
In his remarks, H.E. Al Musaibeeh thanked President Adama Barrow for the warm reception and reaffirmed The Gambia’s status as a strategic partner, while expressing BADEA’s readiness to support future priority projects.
The signing preceded the official opening of UTG Phase II, a major step in strengthening higher education and human capital development in the country.
Site Visits to Key National Development Projects
As part of the visit, the BADEA delegation, accompanied by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, undertook site visits to several priority development projects. These included the Independence Stadium Extension Road, the Bertil Harding Highway, selected senior secondary schools, and the Jah Cement Factory in Bafolotor.
The tour was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
Foundation Stone Laid and UTG Lot Two Inaugurated
On Saturday, 27 December 2025, His Excellency President Adama Barrow officially laid the foundation stone for The University of The Gambia School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, marking a significant milestone in strengthening medical education and health workforce development in The Gambia.
The new school is expected to play a critical role in training future doctors, health professionals and allied specialists to support national healthcare delivery.
During the same event, Lot Two of The University of The Gambia was officially inaugurated through a ribbon cutting ceremony led by President Barrow, followed by a guided tour of the newly completed facilities and laboratories. The modern infrastructure provides purpose built spaces for learning, research, innovation, collaboration and administration.
The Government of The Gambia expressed its profound appreciation to its development partners, including BADEA, the Islamic Development Bank Group, the Saudi Fund for Development, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the OPEC Fund, and others, for their continued support in delivering this transformative national project.
By: Mahzouba Maya Faal
Communication Officer, MoFEA