Gambia’s Central Bank directs banks to sack, replace 57 Nigerian workers by Dec

The Central Bank of The Gambia (GCB) has ordered banks in the country to replace 57 Nigerian workers with Gambian employees by December 31, 2026. The directive, issued in a recent memo signed by Paul Mendy, Second Deputy Governor, stems from a meeting held in August, according to the GCB. The decision was prompted by a study conducted by the bank that revealed a relatively high number of non-Gambians employed by banks, which violates the Labour Act of 2023 and existing guidelines on expatriate staff.

The GCB instructed banks to replace non-Gambian staff with qualified Gambians through a phased approach, ensuring skills transfer and continuity of operations, with compliance due by the end of 2026. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) expressed concern over the directive, as it could lead to the displacement of 57 Nigerian professionals working in four banks operating in The Gambia.

NiDCOM urged the GCB to reconsider the decision and called for consultations with affected parties to find an equitable resolution. The commission highlighted the economic contributions of these banks, which together account for a significant portion of the banking industry's deposits, loans, assets, and investments in Central Bank bonds.

NiDCOM emphasized the need to respect existing employment arrangements, legitimate work authorizations, and principles of African solidarity and regional integration, warning that a blanket employment replacement policy could undermine Africa's economic cooperation and integration efforts.