Gambia Unveils National Land Policy to Address Land-Related Challenges Threatening Peaceful Resolutions

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Gambia has launched its first ever National Land Policy, NLP 2025 to 2035, a comprehensive framework designed to tackle the rising land conflicts that continue to threaten peaceful coexistence among families, communities and individuals.

The seven chapter policy document, developed with funding from the World Bank through the WACA project, aims to regulate the country’s critical and sensitive land sector. It aligns with the government’s Recovery Focused National Development Plan, 2023 to 2027, and focuses on resolving land disputes, improving ownership and administration systems and strengthening land development and management nationwide.

At the launch, Dr Samba Sowe, Principal Planner and Head of Planning at the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, said the new policy will play a major role in resolving long standing land issues. “This will assist the government and all stakeholders in managing and administering land in the country,” he said.

Dr Sowe noted that the policy followed extensive consultations and is expected to help address land related problems that have divided families, communities, groups and individuals. He also commended partners who contributed to the drafting and validation of the document.

He added that the new framework introduces a certificate of customary ownership for the provinces, enabling rural landowners to obtain formal documentation that can be used as collateral or to secure loans from banks.

Bakary Signateh, Executive Coordinator at the Kanifing Municipality, described the launch as historic and said it will help address ongoing land conflicts in the years ahead.

Mr Signateh warned that land mismanagement can lead to serious instability and said the launch demonstrates the government’s firm commitment to resolving land related challenges. “This is the first time we have such a document, which will be passed down to future generations. This is not merely a document, it is a legacy that will put an end to land related problems in the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, Honourable Babucarr Mansally, councillor for Talinding ward, praised the policy as a timely and necessary intervention. “Given the current situation in our country regarding land, having this document is essential,” he said. “Almost every community is affected, with people fighting and losing their lives and properties due to land disputes, and I commend the ministry for this initiative. This is a step in the right direction.”

 By: Dawda Baldeh The Gambia has launched its first ever National Land Policy, NLP 2025 to 2035, a comprehensive framework designed to tackle the rising land conflicts that continue to threaten peaceful coexistence among families, communities and individuals. The seven chapter policy document, developed with funding from the World Bank through the WACA project, aims The Fatu Network