Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA): Best Foreign Investment Promotion Team West Africa 2018
The Gambia is open for business and welcomes investors to one of West Africa’s most enterprising nations. The country has overhauled and updated its legislative framework to shape a business-friendly climate that offers both opportunities and safeguards. The Gambia is an active member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), part of the World Bank group.
The country’s government is determined to turn The Gambia into a regional trade and manufacturing hub and has set up a specialised entity – the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) – to help investors source opportunities and navigate the now streamlined licensing processes – most of which may now be completed online. The government has also formed a National Business Council in order to match executive and legislative initiatives with the needs of the private sector.
The Gambia is the largely untold success story of West Africa: thanks to its open trade regime, and tight fiscal and monetary policies, the country has enjoyed an enviable degree of economic stability. The Gambia has also dedicated significant resources towards the upgrading of its economic infrastructure.
GIEPA is charged with keeping The Gambia globally competitive and maintaining a healthy business environment. The agency is also a key component of the country’s Vision 2020 and the government-backed Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment. The agency is staffed by a team of seasoned business professionals and has established a solid reputation for effectiveness in helping entrepreneurs establish a presence in the country. GIEPA also assist local businesses looking for export opportunities.
The CFI.co judging panel notes that GIEPA works with all stakeholders and adheres to a comprehensive code of ethics that prioritises transparency. The judges agree to name the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) winner of the 2018 Best Foreign Investment Promotion Team West Africa Award.
