By Adama Makasuba
The World Bank has warned that climate change poses a growing threat to The Gambia’s economic future, urging faster action and increased investment in resilience to limit potential damage.
The warning was delivered by Ellysar Baroudy during the launch of the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), where she said climate-related shocks are already reshaping the country’s development path.
She pointed to rising incidents of flooding, erratic rainfall, and coastal erosion, which are affecting livelihoods, infrastructure, and longterm economic planning.
According to the report, although The Gambia contributes less than 0.01% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains among the most vulnerable countries to climate impacts.
More than 60% of the population lives in coastal and urban areas exposed to flooding, extreme heat, and environmental degradation.
The CCDR projects that, without intervention, climate change could reduce the country’s gross domestic product by up to 9% by 2050. The expected losses would stem from declining agricultural productivity, infrastructure damage, increased heat stress, and mounting fiscal pressures.
However, the World Bank said these outcomes are not inevitable. With targeted investments and effective policies, more than half of the projected losses could be avoided.
Baroudy outlined key priorities, including protecting critical assets in the Greater Banjul area through improved coastal defences and drainage systems, addressing structural barriers to private sector investment, and strengthening implementation by turning policies into bankable projects.
She said climate action should be treated not only as an environmental necessity but also as a core economic strategy to safeguard growth and stability.
