In light of lessons learned from the global health crisis, African countries have been forging strategic partnerships since 2020 to support their digital transformation and economic development. 

The Republic of Gambia officially became the 39th member of the Smart Africa Alliance. The organization, which promotes the use of ICT to boost economic and social development in Africa, made the announcement on July 12. This aligns with the country’s objective to leverage digital transformation opportunities in the global telecommunications and ICT market.

Joining Smart Africa Alliance will enable Gambia to better collaborate with other African nations that share similar digital development goals. Concretely, the move will foster sharing of experiences, best practices, and knowledge, and allow Gambia to learn from its peers and achieve its own digital development objectives.

Moreover, joining the Smart Africa Alliance will grant the Gambia access to resources and funding to support its digital projects. This includes potential financing programs, partnerships with international financial institutions, investments in technological projects, and other forms of financial and technical support to strengthen national ICT capabilities.

As reported by the World Bank in 2021, Gambia's digital sector has some weaknesses in terms of technical resource management. The report, titled "The Gambia Digital Economy Diagnostic," highlights underutilization of the 1,367 km national fiber optic network, which covers 90% of the country. Only 27% of radio access network (RAN) sites (primarily in urban areas) and 5% of the population have access to the Internet. 

Telecom operators like Africell, QCell, Comium, and Gamcel continue to rely on less efficient microwave networks, resulting in high internet costs and poor quality compared to neighboring Senegal. DataReportal indicates that Gambia's internet penetration rate stood at 33% in January 2023, with a 2.5% growth compared to 2022. The country's Internet Exchange Point (IXP) lacks resources and adequate connectivity.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) deems Gambia’s telecom regulatory body relatively inefficient. It has been ranked at level 3 out of 5 on the G5 Benchmark, a comprehensive digital regulation reference tool that evaluates regulatory performance across sectors and promotes collaboration.

Within the Smart Africa Alliance, Gambia will work with other members and international organizations to develop and implement policies and regulations favorable to the growth of its ICT sector. This may include creating an innovation-friendly environment, establishing data protection policies, promoting cybersecurity, liberalizing telecommunications markets, and implementing measures to stimulate digital sector growth.

By joining the Smart Africa Alliance, Gambia will also gain international visibility. By bolstering its commitment to digital development, the country can attract foreign investment, foster cooperation with other nations and international institutions, and enhance its global standing.

Muriel Edjo