President Barrow Unveils Historic National Land Policy to Drive Growth, Investment, Empower Youths in The Gambia By Raymond Enoch
In a watershed moment for governance and sustainable development, His Excellency President Adama Barrow has officially launched The Gambia’s first-ever National Land Policy (2026–2035), marking a decisive step toward transforming land administration and securing equitable access to one of the nation’s most vital resources.
The policy, described by stakeholders as long overdue, establishes a comprehensive framework to guide land-sector governance over the next decade. It is designed to recognise all legitimate land ownership, promote responsible and sustainable land use, reduce and resolve land-related conflicts, advance gender equity in land ownership, and empower young people through targeted capacity-building and institutional reforms.
Speaking at the launch, President Barrow underscored the strategic importance of land reform to national stability and economic progress, noting that the policy’s formulation has been a central pillar of his administration’s reform agenda.
“This National Land Policy reflects our commitment to fairness, transparency, and inclusive development,” the President said. “It aligns squarely with our political manifestos and the Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (2023–2027), YIRIWA, which places people, productivity, and resilience at the heart of national transformation.”
The new land policy is seen by many as a game-changer for communities and investors.
The National Land Policy is expected to have far-reaching impacts across urban and rural communities, providing secure land rights, improving transparency and accountability in land administration, and strengthening public confidence in land governance institutions.
By addressing long-standing challenges such as overlapping claims, informal tenure systems, and weak regulatory enforcement, the policy aims to unlock economic growth, attract responsible investment, and reduce tensions linked to land disputes.
Importantly, the policy places strong emphasis on women’s land rights, seeking to dismantle structural barriers that have historically limited women’s access and ownership, while also positioning youths as key beneficiaries through skills development and participation in modern land management systems.
Observers say the launch of the National Land Policy signals a new era of measurable accountability and policy coherence in The Gambia’s land sector. With a clear implementation horizon spanning 2026 to 2035, the framework provides government agencies, traditional authorities, civil society, and development partners with a shared roadmap for action.
As The Gambia charts this new course, President Barrow’s administration has reiterated its commitment to inclusive implementation, stakeholder engagement, and continuous review to ensure the policy delivers tangible benefits for all Gambians.
With this landmark reform, land—long a source of contention—now stands positioned as a foundation for unity, opportunity, and sustainable national development.
