Gambia and Sierra Leone
The Gambia and Sierra Leone seek effective implementation of their 2021 trade agreement. A Banjul meeting agreed to activate the joint committee and addressed coastal transport, non-tariff barriers and infrastructure, identifying practical problems limiting regional exchanges.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-08Bilateral context
Sierra Leone High Commissioner Martha Kanagbo met Gambian Minister Bubacarr Joof in Banjul, accompanied by diplomatic and trade officials.
What merchandise trade shows
In 2024, goods trade between Gambia and Sierra Leone totalled 0.193 million current USD.
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, electrical and electronic equipment stands out in shipments from Gambia to Sierra Leone, at 0.00983 million USD in 2024.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 0.193 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Gambia to Sierra Leone | 0.0184 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Sierra Leone to Gambia | 0.175 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Gambia to Sierra Leone | 0.0371 % | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Export share: Sierra Leone to Gambia | ||
| Investment stock: Gambia in Sierra Leone | ||
| Investment stock: Sierra Leone in Gambia |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2024 · UN Comtrade · Goods; full calendar year; reporter GMB. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Goods: Gambia to Sierra Leone
- 2024 · UN Comtrade · Goods; full calendar year; reporter GMB. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Goods: Sierra Leone to Gambia
- 2024 · UN Comtrade · Goods; full calendar year; reporter GMB. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Export share: Gambia to Sierra Leone
- 2024 · UN Comtrade · Exports to the partner / worldwide exports by the same reporter; same year and coverage.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
Some annual indicators refer to different years. Check the period beside each value before comparing them.
| Indicator | Gambia | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 2.59 billion USD2025 · WB | 7.46 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 919.06 USD2025 · WB | 846.3 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 5.89 %2025 · WB | 4.61 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | ||
| Inflation · annual average | 11.56 %Annual average · 2024 · WB | 7.49 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | ||
| Unemployment | 6.52 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 3.15 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -2.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -4.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 73.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 45.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -4.15 %2024 · WB | -14.12 %2024 · WB |
| Population | 2,822,0932025 · WB | 8,819,7942025 · WB |
| Area | 11,300 km²2023 · WB | |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDGambia: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Sierra Leone: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personGambia: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Sierra Leone: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Gambia: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Sierra Leone: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Gambia: 2024 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Sierra Leone: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency stated
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionGambia: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Sierra Leone: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Gambia: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Sierra Leone: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Gambia: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Sierra Leone: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPGambia: 2024 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Sierra Leone: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleGambia: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Sierra Leone: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceGambia: 2023 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Gambia to Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone to Gambia
Connections between people
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Gambia living in Sierra Leone | ||
| Residents from Sierra Leone living in Gambia | ||
| Study and training: Gambia in Sierra Leone | ||
| Study and training: Sierra Leone in Gambia | ||
| Academic stays: Gambia in Sierra Leone | ||
| Academic stays: Sierra Leone in Gambia | ||
| Travel: Gambia to Sierra Leone | ||
| Travel: Sierra Leone to Gambia |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
Bilateral context
Sierra Leone High Commissioner Martha Kanagbo met Gambian Minister Bubacarr Joof in Banjul, accompanied by diplomatic and trade officials. Discussion focused on reviving the trade cooperation agreement signed in 2021. [1]
The scale of both economies
Nominal GDP for Gambia is 2.6 billion USD (2025), compared with 7.5 for Sierra Leone (2025). The reference populations are 2.82 and 8.82 million, respectively. In the same year, the economy of Gambia was 0.347 times that of Sierra Leone in nominal GDP. The comparison provides context on market size, but does not, on its own, measure influence, well-being or diplomatic closeness. Estimates and their sources retain their labels in the tables. [4] [5] [6] [7]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Review: 2026-10-08
Cooperation and bilateral issues
The announced institutional outcome was activating the joint committee under article 9 to oversee implementation, address disputes and expand cooperation areas. Joof proposed restoring maritime connections for Sierra Leonean products such as palm oil, timber and vegetable oil without announcing an inaugurated new route. Policy harmonisation, non-tariff barriers, borders and road infrastructure were also addressed. The meeting shows signing and practical agreement application are distinct stages and logistical and administrative obstacles remained. [1]
What merchandise trade shows
In 2024, merchandise trade between the two countries (Gambia and Sierra Leone) totalled 0.193 million current USD. Shipments from the first to the second were 0.0184 million; those in the opposite direction, 0.175 million. The difference between the two flows was 0.156 million, in favour of Sierra Leone. This is a goods balance, not the total balance of the economic relationship: it excludes services, income and transfers. Both directions come from a single customs reporter to avoid adding mirror records. [2]
The partner's share of exports
Sales from Gambia to the partner represented 0.0371% of its worldwide goods exports in 2024. The share compares the same reporter, year and coverage. It measures export concentration, not the percentage of GDP dependent on this relationship. A partner may be important in a specific sector even if its share of total goods trade is small. [2]
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, electrical and electronic equipment stands out in shipments from Gambia to Sierra Leone, at 0.00983 million USD in 2024. Within the selected chapters, machinery and mechanical appliances stands out in shipments from Sierra Leone to Gambia, at 0.0844 million USD in 2024. The table compares eight selected chapters with the same coverage as the trade total. It is not a complete list or proof that the first item in this selection is the leading product across the entire relationship. A chapter groups numerous goods: machinery and components, for example, do not describe a single business transaction. [3]
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Institutional sources and periods accompany each figure. Annual trade, investment positions, residents and visits are distinct measures. Empty cells do not mean zero. Statements of intent are not presented as project implementation or treaties in force.
- Bilateral relations — GMB-SLE
www.slena.gov.sl · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record
UN Comtrade · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record
UN Comtrade · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Official series — gdp
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Official series — population
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- SP.POP.TOTL; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade
2026-10-08 · Accessed: 2026-10-08 · Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record.