Published: April 7, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State The Gambia Travel Advisory and The Gambia Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Banjul:
Kairaba Avenue, Fajara. Banjul
Tel: +220-439-2856/2858.
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday: 0800-1730. Friday: 0800-1200.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
There is no OSAC Country Chapter in The Gambia; the nearest is in Dakar, Senegal.
Contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.
The Gambia Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution in The Gambia due to crime and inadequate health infrastructure. Travelers should exercise increased caution in the southern border area adjacent to Senegal’s Casamance region due to the potential presence of landmines and sporadic border skirmishes.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Banjul as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for The Gambia, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
Crime has increased all over The Gambia due to the rising costs of food, increased unemployment, and lack of resources. Our threat assessment changed from high to critical due to the crime spike in areas where COM residences are located and some of the areas they frequent. However, there has not been any direct targeting of U.S. government facilities, interests, or personnel.
Crimes of opportunity (e.g., pickpocketing, purse snatching, theft of valuables from vehicles, and assault) are the crimes U.S. citizens are most likely to encounter in The Gambia and are often preventable. Violent crime is rare. Non-violent burglaries are common in the Greater Banjul area. Over the past few years, reports of residential crimes have increased. Avoid walking alone, including on beaches, in tourist areas, and after dark. Vendors colloquially referred to as “bumsters” (local young men offering services ranging from tour guide to sexual partner) often approach Westerners walking along the beach or in the Senegambia tourist area, as do common street criminals looking for a potential victim. Change direction or depart the area if you notice suspicious people, groups, or activity.
Criminals often target victims based on perceived affluence or perceived vulnerability. Do not display cash and valuable personal property. At all times, drive with doors locked and windows closed or rolled up enough to prevent theft while stopped in traffic. If a criminal threatens you with violence over money/belongings, comply with demands and attempt to end the confrontation as quickly as possible.
As tourism is one of The Gambia's most important industries, the government puts great effort in providing for the safety/security of visitors. This effort is mainly visible in heavily trafficked tourist areas. Officially, Gambian police attribute much of the criminal activity to third-country nationals. High unemployment and underemployment have contributed to the rise in crime rates.
Credit/ATM card fraud and related scams remain concerns in Banjul, although the issue is less prevalent than in other West African cities. Major hotels accept credit cards, but few other establishments do. Skimming is the primary means of credit fraud and is often undetected until fraudulent charges appear on statements. The U.S. Embassy recommends that its employees avoid using credit/debit cards. If you must use a credit/debit card, monitor accounts closely for fraud. Exchange foreign currency only in authorized banks, hotels, and other legally authorized outlets; obtain proper receipts for the transactions.
Internet and in-person friendship, romance, and financial scams are also prevalent in The Gambia and are commonly initiated through Internet postings/profiles by unsolicited emails, letters, WhatsApp, texts, and/or contact initiated in person. Scammers often pose as single female Gambians or U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help, others ask for assistance to help them and family members in need. They request financial assistance from victims to help pay for potentially fraudulent or potentially partially valid claims, such as for urgent medical treatment, school fees for numerous relatives, rent payments, car repair, payment of exit taxes, or government fines.
Travelers must ensure that they do not stray into Senegal. A visa – available at the land borders – is required for U.S. and many other citizens entering Senegal. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy strongly encourages employees not to travel into the Casamance area of Senegal, to the south of The Gambia. The Casamance region has had a long history of political violence.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for The Gambia.
Kidnapping is not a common occurrence in Banjul or the greater Gambia area.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Banjul as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for The Gambia.
The Gambia is not a known base of support for terrorists, there are no known indigenous terrorist organizations, and Gambians generally do not sympathize with terrorists or their activities.
Regional terror attacks in West Africa have not directly affected The Gambia. However, there exists a real and growing threat of terrorism regionally, as demonstrated by recent attacks within the region. West African countries remain vulnerable to terrorist activities due to porous borders, regional instability, and the presence of African-based terrorist groups including those associated with al-Qa’ida and ISIS in West Africa. The governments of The Gambia and Senegal each arrested “extremist” religious leaders in 2015 to stem the rise of religious extremism in the area.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed The Gambia as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for The Gambia. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Gambian President Adama Barrow took office in 2016 in an election widely considered free and fair. Former President Yahya Jammeh, an autocrat who ruled the country for 22 years, initially accepted the results but then reneged, setting off a chain of events that led to his unceremonious departure from the country in 2017, under threat of regional military intervention. Although Jammeh is out of power, many of his supporters remain. The Gambia has a history of military coups and coup attempts (1994, 2006, and 2014). While the Jammeh government inspired a state of fear because of its heavy-handed tactics to silence opponents, the Barrow administration has ushered in a democratically elected government, released political prisoners, and begun the process to overhaul laws and procedures to make practices more consistent with international norms.
In December 2021, President Barrow won reelection in a vote that was again widely considered free and fair. Some opposition candidates contested the election results, though all candidates called for peace among their supporters following the election. Barrow’s government has announced plans to draft a new constitution after the Gambian parliament rejected a revised constitution draft in 2021. The current constitution does not include term limits.
The next presidential elections are set to be held in December 2026.
Protests & Demonstrations
Public protests, demonstrations, and strikes have become more common, as Gambians no longer fear government retaliation or persecution, and desire to exercise their freedoms of speech and expression. Avoid large political rallies, as even peaceful gatherings can escalate to confrontation and turn violent.
In March 2023, the opposition party United Democratic Party (UDP) organized opposition protests in Banjul in front of the National Assembly building in response to government corruption. The UDP received permission from the state to hold the protest. Hundreds of young Gambians attend the protests and there were no reports of related demonstration violence.
Following the 2021 presidential election, Banjul experienced sporadic demonstrations, some of which turned violent. There was not widespread violence surrounding the election.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment remains low in The Gambia.
Law Enforcement
The national police emergency number (equivalent to U.S. 911) is 117. Response times are not always fast. For fire and rescue services in Banjul, dial 118. Emergency services are unreliable, slow, and ill equipped to handle most emergencies.
- Senegambia Police Station (Tourist Security) – (220) 358-1502
- Bakau Police Station – (220) 449-5328
- Gambia National Police Headquarters – (220) 422-4914 (or dial 117)
The Gambian Police Force (GPF) is responsible for investigating most crimes. The Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG) enforces drug laws. The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) and Gambia Revenue Authority (GRE) Enforcement Office handle immigration and customs issues, respectively.
The Gambian Armed Forces (GAF) may assist in maintaining law and order when there is a deteriorating security situation beyond the control of the police. Often, personnel from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mission in The Gambia will assist GAF.
The GAF has four branches: the Gambia National Army, the Gambia Navy, the Republican National Guard, and the Gambia Air Force. Principal GAF responsibilities are to defend territorial integrity, aid civil authorities in emergencies, and provide natural disaster relief assistance in agriculture, engineering, health, and education. The chief of the defense staff administers the GAF and reports through the defense minister to the president as commander in chief. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces due to actions committed by prior members of security forces.
Police Response
Except for checkpoints and traffic police, there is limited visibility of police presence in Banjul and the surrounding areas. However, police presence is increased during tourist season (November to May) in the areas frequented by tourists. Police do not have the ability to respond quickly to crises. They lack training, equipment, and resources such as radios and vehicles (with fuel). Most Gambian police are not armed. The Gambian Police Force is a reactionary force and cannot maintain large-scale or long-term proactive operations. When contacted, police are normally helpful to visitors, though will sometimes request “tea money” or a tip.
In the event of an emergency or arrest, request to call the U.S. Embassy. Local police do not always honor this request expeditiously; it may need repeating. Do not ignore a lawful or reasonable police order. Becoming belligerent will only exacerbate the situation and prolong detention.
Some U.S. citizens report that police procedures appear to be less sensitive and responsive to a victim’s concerns, particularly in cases of domestic violence or sexual assault, or when the victim and the perpetrator are each foreigners, compared to the procedures in the United States. Few victim-assistance resources or battered women’s shelters exist. Investigations of sexual assault crimes often proceed without female police officers present, and police typically ask about the victim’s sexual history and previous relationships.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in The Gambia, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for The Gambia.
There have been reports of questionable detentions by the police, though it is unclear how often they occur.
It is a more common occurrence that the police will pull over a vehicle or detain an individual, confiscating their papers, in the hope of receiving a payment or bribe.
Cybersecurity
Cybercrime is not a major concern in Banjul. Use of computers and level of sophistication with computing technologies is generally low among the local population. Still, U.S. private-sector employees and organizations should implement cybersecurity best practices and make every attempt to password protect personal and organizational information systems. When cybercrime occurs, the police are poorly equipped to conduct a thorough investigation.
Import/Export Restrictions
The Gambia has strict laws regarding the use and possession of dangerous weapons. “Military style” firearms are illegal. The police can license hunting weapons. Violators are subject to arrest and incarceration.
There are no restrictions on the use or importation of satellite phones in the country.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
