Business Traveler's Guide to Gambia: Navigating Banjul and Brikama for Success

Gambia's economy is experiencing a gradual transformation. While tourism and agriculture remain dominant, there's a nascent tech ecosystem emerging that reminds me of early-stage Austin about fifteen years ago—raw potential waiting for the right catalysts.

Banjul, the capital, houses most government offices, banks, and established businesses. It's compact and navigable, with the central business district concentrated around Independence Drive and Kairaba Avenue. The port area bustles with import-export activities, and you'll find most international organizations have offices here.

Brikama, the largest city in terms of population, offers a different business environment. Less formal but more dynamic, it's where you'll encounter small and medium enterprises, particularly in manufacturing, retail, and services. The Brikama market is a commercial hub worth exploring for understanding local consumer preferences.

What struck me most was the contrast between formal business structures and the vibrant informal economy. The latter operates on relationships and verbal agreements—something that initially frustrated my tech-sector documentation habits but ultimately taught me valuable lessons about trust-based commerce.

Before arriving, I highly recommend investing in a reliable portable power bank. Power outages are common, even in business districts, and nothing derails a presentation faster than a dead laptop or phone. Mine saved multiple meetings during unexpected blackouts.

My first business meeting in Banjul was nearly a disaster. Coming from Oklahoma City's efficiency-driven tech environment, I arrived precisely on time, agenda in hand, ready to dive straight into discussions. My Gambian counterparts arrived 30 minutes later, spent another 20 minutes on personal greetings and inquiries about my family (which I don't have), and seemed in no hurry to address the meeting objectives.

This taught me lesson one: in Gambia, relationship-building precedes business transactions. Time is fluid, and personal connections matter immensely.

Business culture here blends British colonial influences with Islamic traditions and local customs. While English is the official language, meetings often flow between English and local languages like Mandinka or Wolof. Don't be surprised if your Gambian colleagues occasionally break into their native tongue—it's not exclusionary but simply more comfortable for nuanced discussions.

Dress code skews conservative and formal. Despite the heat, local businessmen typically wear suits or traditional attire like the kaftan. For foreign visitors, lightweight suits or business casual attire is appropriate, though I recommend bringing a lightweight blazer that can be easily removed when the temperature climbs. For women, modest attire covering shoulders and knees is advisable, especially when meeting with government officials.

Religious considerations are important—nearly 95% of Gambians are Muslim. Business meetings pause for prayer times, and during Ramadan, expect reduced working hours and difficulty scheduling afternoon appointments as energy levels dip during fasting.

Perhaps most importantly, patience isn't just a virtue here—it's a business necessity. Decisions rarely happen in a single meeting, government processes move slowly, and building trust takes time. The phrase 'slowly, slowly' (ndank ndank in Wolof) isn't just a saying but a cultural approach to business development.

Finding appropriate accommodation that doubles as a productive workspace proved challenging but not impossible. Banjul offers limited but adequate options for business travelers, while Brikama's facilities are more basic but often more affordable.

In Banjul, the Laico Atlantic Hotel and Kairaba Beach Hotel provide reliable business services, including meeting rooms and decent WiFi—though don't expect Silicon Valley speeds. For longer stays, I recommend the noise-cancelling headphones that saved my sanity during conference calls from my hotel room when background noise became an issue.

A more budget-friendly option I discovered was Ocean Bay Hotel, which offers surprisingly good working spaces in its lobby and restaurant areas. Their business center is basic but functional for printing and scanning needs.

In Brikama, accommodation options with business facilities are limited. I stayed at a local guesthouse and relied heavily on mobile data for connectivity. If working from Brikama, consider arranging temporary office space through local business contacts or co-working arrangements.

Speaking of connectivity, internet access varies dramatically. Major hotels in Banjul offer WiFi, but speeds fluctuate throughout the day. I found the most reliable connection using a local SIM card from Africell or QCell for mobile data. For under $20, you can get substantial data packages that outperform most hotel WiFi. Just ensure your phone is unlocked before traveling.

Power outages remain a persistent challenge even in business-focused accommodations. Most higher-end hotels have generators, but there's often a brief blackout period before they kick in. Keep devices charged whenever possible and save work frequently—a lesson I learned the hard way after losing an entire presentation draft during an extended outage.

After my initial culture shock wore off, I discovered that Gambia's compact size creates unique networking advantages. The business community is small enough that meaningful connections happen organically and word-of-mouth referrals carry significant weight.

The American Chamber of Commerce Gambia hosts monthly networking events that proved invaluable during my stay. These gatherings attract both local business leaders and expatriates, creating perfect opportunities for market intelligence gathering. Similarly, the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry organizes sector-specific forums worth attending.

For tech-focused business travelers, I was pleasantly surprised to find a nascent startup ecosystem centered around the Jokkolabs co-working space in Banjul. Their weekly innovation meetups attract young entrepreneurs eager to connect with international expertise and potential investors. The energy reminded me of Austin's early tech days—raw potential with limited infrastructure but immense enthusiasm.

Business development in Gambia relies heavily on personal relationships. While initial meetings might seem purely social, they lay essential groundwork for future transactions. I found carrying a digital business card device particularly useful, as it allowed me to share contact information easily while still observing local customs of personal exchange.

Government connections matter significantly in Gambia's business landscape. The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) provides free advisory services for foreign investors and can facilitate introductions to relevant ministries. Their office on Kairaba Avenue should be an early stop on any business traveler's itinerary.

Banking relationships also function as networking opportunities. Establishing an account with a local bank like Trust Bank or Guaranty Trust Bank introduces you to relationship managers who often serve as informal business matchmakers. Even if you don't need local banking services, scheduling courtesy meetings with bank managers can yield surprising connection opportunities.

My background in e-commerce naturally draws me to emerging digital opportunities, and Gambia offers several worth noting. While not as developed as Kenya's or South Africa's tech scenes, Gambia's digital ecosystem is evolving rapidly with minimal competition.

The fintech sector shows particular promise. Mobile money adoption is accelerating, with QMoney and Africell Money serving unbanked populations. Several startups are developing solutions for cross-border payments and remittances—a significant market given Gambia's large diaspora population. For tech investors comfortable with frontier markets, these early-stage ventures offer ground-floor opportunities.

Agribusiness presents another compelling sector. Despite agriculture employing over 70% of Gambians, the industry remains largely unmechanized and inefficient. Companies introducing modern farming techniques, processing facilities, or export logistics are finding receptive markets. During my visit, I toured a cashew processing facility that had transformed from manual operations to semi-automation, quadrupling output with minimal investment.

Renewable energy development is gaining momentum as Gambia aims to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. Solar projects particularly benefit from the country's abundant sunshine, with several rural electrification initiatives seeking partners and investors. The regulatory environment is increasingly supportive, with tax incentives for clean energy projects.

Tourism infrastructure development remains attractive despite pandemic setbacks. The sector is rebounding with a focus on sustainable and experiential offerings beyond traditional beach resorts. Eco-lodges, cultural tourism experiences, and boutique accommodations are underdeveloped niches with growing demand.

For business travelers exploring investment possibilities, I recommend carrying a portable document scanner to immediately digitize the numerous paper documents you'll encounter. Digital record-keeping isn't yet universal in Gambian business circles, and this simple tool saved me countless headaches when collecting market research and potential partnership documentation.

Moving between Banjul and Brikama efficiently requires understanding Gambia's transportation landscape. The two cities are only about 35 kilometers apart, but traffic and road conditions can make journey times unpredictable.

For business travelers, hiring a dedicated driver is the most reliable option. Many hotels offer this service, or you can arrange a driver through tour companies for weekly rates that prove economical compared to daily taxis. My driver, Lamin, not only navigated the roads expertly but provided invaluable cultural context and impromptu language lessons during our journeys.

Taxis come in two varieties: tourist taxis (green) and local shared taxis (yellow). Green taxis charge higher rates but offer more comfort and direct service. Yellow taxis follow set routes and pick up multiple passengers—economical but time-consuming and not ideal for business schedules.

If you're comfortable with adventure, the local gelli-gelli (minivans) provide cultural immersion along with transportation between cities, though they're crowded and follow no fixed schedule. I tried this once for the experience—fascinating but not practical when timeliness matters.

For navigating within cities, I found the offline navigation app essential when mobile data was spotty. Download Gambia maps before arrival, as even Google Maps lacks detail in some areas.

Safety considerations are important but shouldn't cause undue concern. Banjul and Brikama are generally safe for business travelers, though standard precautions apply—avoid displaying expensive electronics, use hotel safes for valuables, and be discreet when handling cash. The Tourist Security Unit (TSU) maintains visible presence in business and tourist areas.

Health preparations should include yellow fever vaccination (required for entry) and malaria prophylaxis. Carry a basic medical kit including rehydration salts for the occasional stomach upset. The heat can be intense, particularly from March through May, so schedule outdoor activities for mornings and evenings when possible.