PORT OF BANJUL GAMBIA

The project concerns the rehabilitation and expansion of the national port infrastructure located in Banjul, including jetty extension, expansion and modernisation of the container terminal. It also includes shipyard rehabilitation, bund road access improvements and port digitalisation. As part of the EU's Global Gateway strategy, EIB Global is supporting the project, which is expected to increase cargo handling capacity and improve the operational efficiency and climate resilience of the Port of Banjul, The country's key strategic asset.

The aim is to support the economic development of The Gambia, by enhancing its strategic position and competitiveness as a transit and trans-shipment hub in the wider West Africa region. The project falls within the objectives of the EU's Global Gateway Initiative, forming part of the Praia-Dakar-Abidjan strategic regional corridor. Additionally, it is in line with: (i) the EU's regional Multi-Annual Indicative Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (RIP - 2021-2027); and (ii) the EU Priority Area 2 "Green Economy for Sustainable Growth and Jobs" outlined in the EU's Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (2021-2027) for The Gambia, supporting The Gambia in pursuing more ambitious climate targets. The project contributes towards the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 13 (Climate Action), as well as SDG 1 (reducing poverty), SDG 8 (providing decent work and economic growth) and SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals).

If situated in the EU, the project would fall under Annex I of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive and would be subject to an EIA. According to the National Environmental Agency (NEA), the environmental competent authority, this project is to be considered a Category A one, consequently requiring "full conduct of impact assessment". Therefore, the project is subject to an EIA procedure reviewed by the State level Competent Authority. During the project appraisal, the EIB will further review the EIA and related procedures and confirm its alignment with the EIB's environmental and social requirements . Special attention will be given to social impacts, namely possible resettlements and loss of livelihood issues. Such exercise will be undertaken in parallel with the co-lender African Development Bank (AfDB).

The promoter has to ensure that the project implementation will be done in accordance with the EIB's Guide to Procurement. In particular, the open international competitive bidding (ICB) procedure without local preference to be applied on those contracts financed by the EIB, as well as the procurement plan, the sample tender documentation and capacity of promoter are to be evaluated during appraisal.

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