Latest news with #TheGambia
Finextra
27-05-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Remittance at Risk: What a U.S Levy Means for The Gambia: By Foday Joof
The Context According to the United Nations Network on migration, an estimated 10 percent of The Gambia's total population were living abroad in 2023 in search of better opportunities[1]. Over the past decade, private remittance inflows to the country have more than doubled. Data from the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) show that official remittance inflows rose from US$174.1 million in 2009 to US$329.8 million in 2019 (Joof and Touray, 2021)[2]. To put this in context, these figures respectively represent 12 percent and 18 percent of the country's GDP in 2009 and 2019. This placed the country among the highest recipients of remittances in sub-Saharan Africa when compared to the size of the economy. It is important to emphasize that data reported by the authorities only represent inflows that pass through the official channel which hugely understates total remittance figures. It is evident that a substantial amount of unreported diaspora money flows through the unofficial channel that is not captured and difficult to estimate. This upward trend was initially expected to be disrupted following the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought severe economic consequences—particularly in wealthier nations that serve as the primary sources of remittances. Consequently in 2020, the World Bank projected a dramatic 20 percent decline in global remittance flows as a direct result of the crisis, attributing the drop mainly to falling wages and rising unemployment among migrant workers during the pandemic. However, several months into the pandemic, data revealed a surprising trend: The Gambia, like many developing countries, experienced a remarkable surge in remittance inflows. Gambians in the diaspora sent a record US$589.8 million in 2020—representing a staggering 78.8 percent increase from US$329.8 million in the previous year (Joof and Touray, 2021). This unprecedented growth in officially statistics remittances is attributed to several factors. Notably, the improvement in data collection by the Central Bank, both in terms of methodology and coverage as more money transfer agents get registered. Additionally, international travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic disrupted informal transfer channels, redirecting remittance flows through formal systems. Few years after the pandemic, private remittances continue to be The Gambia's largest source of foreign currency, with total inflows reaching US$775.4 million in 2024. These funds not only provide a critical lifeline for household consumption but also serve as a crucial source of foreign exchange, stabilizing the country's balance of payments. Thus, any policy change affecting remittance flows could have profound implications for The Gambia. What will the recent propose 5% levy on private remittances by the United State of America mean for The Gambia? The 3.5% Levy on Remittances: A Game Changer? The United States, a significant source of remittance inflows to The Gambia, has passed a 3.5% levy on remittance outflows, this policy could have far-reaching effects on The Gambia's economy. The immediate impact would likely be a decline in the volume of remittances sent through formal channels, as the cost of remitting funds would increase. This, in turn, could push more remitters to seek informal, unregulated channels to avoid the levy, leading to greater informality and reduced foreign exchange inflows through the official financial system. Potentials Implications Reduced Foreign Exchange Inflows: Funds sent through informal channels are less likely to enter the formal banking system, reducing foreign currency availability and potentially exacerbating exchange rate volatility. Furthermore, given that The Gambia is an import-dependent economy, the decline in foreign currency inflows could exacerbate trade currency depreciation and intensify inflationary pressures. Surge in Informal Channels and Potential Risks As the cost of formal remittances increases, many Gambians in the diaspora may turn to informal channels, such as hawala systems, personal couriers, or unregulated digital platforms, to bypass the levy. While these channels may offer lower costs, they present several risks: Data Gaps: Transactions through informal channels are difficult to track, leading to underreporting of remittance inflows and reduced transparency in financial flows. Strategic Responses for The Gambia To mitigate the potential fallout from the US remittance levy, the Gambian government and CBG could consider several strategic measures: Leverage Fintech Solutions: Partner with fintech companies to develop cost-effective, accessible remittance platforms that can compete with informal channels. Partner with fintech companies to develop cost-effective, accessible remittance platforms that can compete with informal channels. Diversify FX Sources: Expand export-oriented sectors such as agriculture and tourism to reduce overreliance on remittances as a primary source of foreign exchange. Conclusion The 3.5% levy on remittances poses a significant threat to The Gambia's economic stability, with potential ramifications for foreign exchange inflows, exchange rate stability, and poverty levels. Proactive measures by the Gambian authorities, including financial inclusion initiatives, enhanced regulation of informal channels, but also promote the growth of export-oriented sector like agriculture and tourism. This will be critical in mitigating these adverse effects and ensuring the continued flow of remittance funds into the formal financial system.
Mail & Guardian
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
South Africa must urgently act to allow access to the African Court
Only 34 states have ratified the protocol, and only seven have deposited the declaration allowing nationals to submit cases directly to the African Court. It has been 25 years since South Africa ratified the Thirty-four states have ratified the protocol, and only seven states have deposited the declaration allowing nationals to submit cases directly to the African Court. These states are Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mali, Niger and The Gambia. In 2024, While the constitutional court has tried to adjudicate human rights violations internally and other broader constitutional matters, some human rights matters may be delayed for hearing because of the burden of adjudication solely vested in the constitutional court. South Africa needs to deposit the declaration under Article 34 (6) of the protocol. Looking into the achievements of the case of the Centre for Human Rights, Access to justice is critical to promoting and protecting human rights in Africa. When the protocol was established, it aimed to ensure that state parties can access the African Court for the benefit of their citizens. First, a state can bring the case before the African Court if it has ratified the court protocol. Second, an organisation of a state party can bring a case to the African Commission only if it has observer status; the commission can refer the matter to the court. Last, an organisation or individual can bring the case directly to the court if a state has declared under Neither South African organisations nor citizens can bring the case directly to the court because the government has not submitted a declaration allowing citizens direct access to the court. Filing the declaration will not merely allow citizens and human rights organisations direct access to court, but will show South Africa's commitment to promoting and protecting the human rights of its citizenry at the regional level. This will display South Africa's willingness to collaborate with other African states to build strong human rights systems. South Africa has a strong record for championing socio-economic rights in the region. Submitting the declaration before the African Court would potentially sustain its relevance in the African human rights system. Moreover, to declare a willingness to learn broadly from other human rights jurisprudence. Professor Frans Viljoen in South Africa's identity lies not only in its people, culture, ethnicity, and diversity but also in its human rights systems. While the country is not unique in trying to address human rights issues, its disconnection from African human rights systems is becoming increasingly apparent. Submitting the declaration will help the country rebuild its identity and preserve its status of defending human rights, while restoring its relations under the African Human Rights Systems. Individuals and NGOs lack direct access to the court due to not filing a declaration under 34(6) of the article, which infringes on the human rights framework, including access to justice for all. It deprives people of adequate knowledge about the court and reduces the court's accessibility to hear matters first-hand. Allowing citizens and organisations direct access to the court would make the court's work more visible and known to citizens. Submission of the declaration would raise public awareness about the existence, functions, and accessibility of the African Court. One significant way to ensure that people are included in the African human rights system is to guarantee the right to access justice. As a state party to the African Charter, South Africa should ensure that people have access to justice, including in the African Court. Notably, while national courts have a broad jurisdiction, which requires sufficient capacity to protect human rights, the African Court will work as a complementary pillar to the protective measures of the national courts when remedies have been exhausted or unavailable. South Africa takes pride in ensuring justice to its people through an inclusive and accessible judicial system. Non-deposition of the declaration is a drawback of the efforts made to ensure that justice is accessible to South Africans. It also creates a gap between other member states who may be interested in listening to first-hand experiences of violations that affect South Africans. The reliance on state authority to be the voice and mediator of South African citizens reinforces a 'pick and choose' attitude on matters of human rights to be brought before the African Court. NGOs have played a crucial role in South African human rights history. Therefore, giving direct access to NGOs would strengthen human rights protection on the continent while enhancing government accountability for any violations at the regional level. This could lead to more respect for human rights and improve the state's legal and policy framework. The direct involvement of NGOs in the African Court could bring international attention to human rights issues in South Africa. It would strengthen the role of human rights organisations in advocating for reform and catalyse global solidarity and support for human rights causes in South Africa. Take, for instance, the case of The South African state must pursue its obligations to protect and promote human rights, which are central to its people. Given that South Africa is built upon a society shaped by its people's experiences, the country needs to ensure that its citizens have access to all available mechanisms for the protection of their fundamental rights, including direct access to the African Court. Mondekazi Ntshele is a human rights lawyer and is currently studying human rights and democratisation in Africa at the University of Pretoria.
CAF
25-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
CAF African Schools Football Championship Semi-Finalists decided after thrilling Match Day 2
The semi-finalists of the CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 were officially confirmed on Thursday, 24 March after Match Day 2 of the four-day competition was concluded at the University of Ghana in Accra. With the race for a place in the knockout stage entering its final stretch, the second day of the competition provided plenty of excitement in both the Boys and Girls divisions. Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda are the four remaining clubs in the Boys division of the tournament after they secured their places in the semi-finals. The Ghanaians edged South Africa 1-0 in their first match of the day before cruising past Algeria by 3-0 in their second match to finish top of Group A along with Uganda who won 4-0 in both their matches against South Africa and Algeria. Reigning champions, Tanzania were held to a goalless draw by Cote d'Ivoire but managed to secure a slender 1-0 win against DR Congo which was enough to send them through. The hosts will be represented in both divisions after the Ghana Girls U-15 national team also secured their place in the semi-finals after their 2-0 win over Benin, which was followed by a convincing 3-0 victory over Malawi. Reigning champions South Africa were clinical against DR Congo after they put eight past them with a comfortable 8-0 win, which was followed by a 5-0 win over The Gambia to become the highest scoring side in the group stages with 13 goals. The hosts and defending champions will be joined by debutants Morocco and Uganda who will also be represented in both the boys and girls divisions. CAF African Schools Football Championship Ghana 2025 Semi-Finals Fixtures: FRIDAY, 25 APRIL BOYS 14h00 Local Time / GMT | Ghana vs Tanzania 14h00 Local Time / GMT | Senegal vs Uganda GIRLS 15h15 Local Time / GMT | Uganda vs Morocco 15h15 Local Time / GMT Ghana vs South Africa
CAF
08-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Tunisia secure knockout qualification and FIFA U-17 World Cup spot with win over The Gambia
Tunisia secured their place in the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 with their second Group C win, following a narrow 2-1 win over The Gambia on Monday evening The tightly contested encounter was decided by very fine margins, with both sides having an equal share amount of possession and potential to secure all three points. It was however the North Africans who emerged victorious thanks to a goal in both halves of the match by Yassine Ben Mahmoud and Anisse Saide to clinch the important victory that sees them advance to the next round of the competition, while also carrying their ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The Gambia, who still had a fighting chance of qualifying after Match Day 3 of the competition will now look to console themselves with a ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup as they prepare for the play-offs. Coming into the clash at the back of a commanding 5-1 win over debutants Somalia, The Gambia looked to put up a strong performance against the Tunisians who unsettled them with a goal just before the break thanks to a Yassine Ben Mahmoud strike. The Gambia kept their hopes alive and wasted no time in levelling matters immediately after the break with Bisenty Mendy drawing level. The two sides continued the search for the all-important goal that would send them to the next round and the FIFA U-17 World Cup. It was in the 57th minute that Anisse Saidi made it 2-1 in favour of the Tunisians with a goal that they defended to the very end to secure passage into the next round of the competition, as The Gambia await the play-offs for a place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
CAF
07-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: Senegal seek top spot in Group C at TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025
Senegal will hope to seal top spot in Group C at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025 when they tale on already eliminated Somalia at the Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida on Monday (kick-off 19:00 local time / 18:00 GMT). Senegal have four points from their opening two matches in the pool, and are level with pool leaders Tunisia, who take on The Gambia in their final clash. The top two teams in each group advance to the quarter-finals and book a place at the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, while the teams that finish third enter a play-off for the two remaining places at the global finals. This is the second meeting between Senegal and Somalia at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON. The nations met at the 2023 finals in their final game in the pool, with Senegal already qualified for the knockout rounds after wins over Algeria and Congo. Senegal won the meeting 3-0 as they eventually becoming champions, while Somalia exited at the group stages. During their clash at the 2023 finals, Said Mohamed scored an own goal, the first by a Somali player at the finals, while Amara Diouf and Yaya Dieme scored two more. Somalia, playing their sixth game at the finals, will see Senegal become the first team that they have faced more than once. SOMALIA FACTS · Somalia lost their opening two games against Tunisia 3-0 and Gambia 5-1. · Somalia have lost their opening two games at the finals for the first time. In 2023, they drew their second game 1-1 against Congo, while losing their first to Algeria and third to Senegal. · Somalia have now lost their last three games at the finals, starting with their final group game in 2023. · Somalia have never won a game at the finals (D1 L5) and are yet to keep a clean-sheet. · Somalia have conceded eight goals at the current finals, more than they did in their debut tournament when they let in six goals in three games. They also scored one goal in 2023. · Somalia's 5-1 loss to Gambia in their last group game was their biggest defeat at the finals. The first time they had lost by four goals and conceded five goals at the finals. · Despite losing to Gambia 5-1 in their last game, Somalia had 58% of the possession. It was only the second time at the finals along with their opening game loss against Algeria (52.1%) in 2023 that they have had more than 50% of the possession. · Somalia faced nine shots on target in their loss to Gambia, the most they have faced at the current finals in a single game. SENEGAL FACTS · Senegal are now nine games at the finals without a loss. They last were defeated by Guinea in their second group game in 2019 (W6 D3). · Senegal have conceded just two goals in their last eight games at the finals. These came in their 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso in the 2023 semi-finals and in their 2-1 win against Morocco in the 2023 final. · Senegal have not conceded a goal in their last six group games at the finals, starting with their 0-0 draw against Cameroon in their final group game in 2019. · Senegal last conceded a goal in the group stages in 2019 in the 80th minute of their 2-1 loss to Guinea in their second group game. Since then they have played 549 minutes at the group stages without conceding. · Senegal have won their opening two group games for the second finals in a row. Victory will see them win all three group games for the second time along with 2023. · Should Senegal avoid defeat they will go unbeaten through the group stages for a second time along with 2023. · Senegal had four shots on target in their 0-0 draw with Tunisia in their second game. They prevented their opponents from having a single shot on target in the game. · Senegal had 67% of the possession in their draw with Tunisia in their second group game. · In both their group games Senegal have managed to make over 400 passes. In their opening game they attempted 405 passes against Gambia and 444 in their second game against Tunisia. · Ibrahima Aidara completed 57 passes against Tunisia, the most by any player in the game. · Senegal have never conceded a goal or lost in their final group game. Their record reads P3 W2 D1 L0. In their final group games in 2011, Senegal defeated Rwanda 1-0, while in 2019 they drew 0-0 with Cameroon and defeated Somalia 2-0 at the last finals.
