Ebrima Mbaye

Story: In March 2025, I reported on the escalating food prices in The Gambia as the holy month of Ramadan approached. Staple items such as rice, cooking oil, and sugar saw significant price increases, placing a heavy burden on households preparing for the fasting period. For instance, the cost of a 50kg bag of rice rose from approximately D1,600 to D2,300, while a 5-liter bottle of cooking oil jumped from D750 to between D1,100 and D1,300. These price hikes were attributed to a combination of factors, including a weakening Gambian dalasi, global supply chain disruptions, rising fuel costs, and increased government taxes .

Published in: October 14, 2025