economy 28 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Gambia Eyes Uganda's Expertise in Public Investment Management
Gambian finance officials are in Uganda to learn best practices in public investment management, seeking to reform their own economy. The delegation has found Uganda's step-by-step approach to project conceptualization, evaluation, and implementation particularly impressive. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/gambian-officials-benchmark-uganda-s-public-investment-management-5574832
Officials from The Gambia’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs are currently in Uganda to study the country’s strategies for managing public investments. The visit, led by Permanent Secretary Jobe Baboucarr, aims to acquire knowledge that will support significant economic reforms in Gambia.
Mr. Baboucarr highlighted that Gambia is undergoing various reforms, including economic, judicial, and institutional changes. Public investment management has been identified as a critical area needing enhancement. After consulting with the International Monetary Fund, Uganda was chosen as the destination for this benchmarking exercise due to its perceived effectiveness in the field.
The Gambian delegation expressed their admiration for Uganda’s structured approach, noting specific strengths in project conceptualization, evaluation, implementation, and monitoring. These are areas where Gambia faces notable gaps and seeks urgent improvements to ensure government-funded projects yield tangible benefits for citizens, such as job creation and poverty reduction.
Gambia, with a Gross Domestic Product of $3 billion, is keen on ensuring its investments contribute directly to economic advancement and citizen welfare. The officials emphasized the value of intra-African learning, citing common challenges faced by nations on the continent.
During their visit, the Gambian team engaged with Ugandan counterparts and later visited Makerere University’s School of Economics, home to the Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM-CoE). Professor Edward Bbaale, Head of PIM-CoE, explained that the center focuses on building the capacity of government officials and conducting research to ensure that public investments are both viable and sustainable.
This initial visit is expected to pave the way for future partnerships and knowledge exchange between Uganda and The Gambia, fostering broader economic development across Africa. Mr. Baboucarr indicated that this is the first of several anticipated visits.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)