Gambia to temporarily allow Senegal imports

Gambia’s government has announced a temporary re-opening of its border with Senegal to allow the delivery of cement that has been held up at the border for several weeks, reports Bénin Web TV. The step will help to meet domestic market requirements.

Since 16 May 2024, many cement trucks have been help up at the border, causing disruptions in building material supply to Gambia. The Cement Importers and Traders Association urged the government to take measures to enable the entry of cement into the country.

The tax on trucks carrying 30t of cement imported from Senegal was increased to GMD180,000 (US$2653) from GMD30,000 last April. According to the government, the hike was implemented to protect local cement producers. However, during a recent visit of Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, discussed the issue with his Gambian counterpart, Adam Barrow, and the tax increase was suspended subsequently.

In 2022 Senegal imported 584,000t of cement to Gambia with a total value of more than XOF25bn (US$41m).