GAMBIA: Options Study for Private Participation in the State-Owned Communications Infrastructure in Gambia

as part of its reforms, the new Government of The Gambia  understands that efforts need to include reforms of public enterprises, including the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) and the National Telecom and Mobile Operators (GAMTEL/GAMCEL) to place them on a sound financial footing and limit their drain on the state budget.
The Government of The Gambia recognizes the need to examine the various options for the two companies in the context of the current market dynamics. Within that context and in response to the Government's request, PPIAF approved a grant to conduct a PPP options study based on various scenarios of separating the wholesale and retail business lines, considering international best practices. The produced report includes an overview of the sector challenges faced by the ICT sector in Gambia, recommendations on how to address the challenges and an implementation plan that will take into consideration potential Bank support namely through the planned programmatic DPF instrument and the SOE Reform Project under preparation.