A new employment directive issued by The Gambia’s central bank has raised concerns in Nigeria after 57 Nigerian banking professionals were identified as potentially facing job losses under a policy requiring commercial banks to replace certain foreign workers with qualified Gambian citizens.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called on the Gambian authorities to reconsider the directive, warning that its implementation could affect skilled Nigerian workers and create tensions between the two West African countries.
The policy, issued by the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG), gives commercial banks until December 31, 2026, to complete the replacement of non-Gambian employees who do not fall under recognised expatriate employment arrangements.
NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa raised the concerns on November 3, saying information available to the commission indicated that 57 Nigerians employed by four Nigerian-origin banks could be affected.
She added that the professionals reportedly possess valid residency and work permits and have contributed to the development of The Gambia’s financial sector.
Four Nigerian banks among institutions affected
The directive applies to commercial banks operating across The Gambia, including Nigerian financial institutions with subsidiaries in the country.
The four Nigerian-origin banks identified by NiDCOM are Access Bank, FirstBank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) and Zenith Bank.
According to the commission, the affected professionals work in these institutions and could lose their positions if the replacement exercise proceeds without further engagement between the authorities and the banks.
The CBG’s directive followed a meeting with bank managing directors on August 27. A circular issued on September 16 instructed financial institutions to review their employment arrangements and gradually replace foreign workers outside approved expatriate arrangements with suitably qualified Gambian nationals.
The regulator said an industry assessment had identified a relatively high number of non-Gambian employees working in banking positions beyond recognised expatriate arrangements.
It cited provisions of The Gambia’s Labour Act 2023 and Guideline 9 on expatriate staff as the legal basis for the directive.
Banks have also been instructed to organise skills-transfer programmes and ensure that the transition does not interrupt their daily operations.
NiDCOM questions possible impact on Nigerian workers
Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged The Gambia’s authority to prioritise employment opportunities for its citizens and strengthen local professional capacity.
However, she argued that the policy should be implemented in a way that respects existing employment arrangements and valid work authorisations.
The commission is particularly concerned that Nigerian professionals who have legally secured employment and residency permits could be affected by a broad replacement exercise.
NiDCOM has therefore urged the Gambian central bank to reconsider the directive and open discussions with Nigeria’s High Commission in Banjul and the affected financial institutions.
The commission believes direct engagement could help identify a solution that supports local employment objectives without unnecessarily displacing foreign professionals.
It also called on both countries to consider the wider implications for African economic cooperation and the free movement of skilled workers.
Nigerian banks account for significant share of Gambia’s banking sector
NiDCOM has also highlighted the economic importance of the four Nigerian-origin banks operating in The Gambia.
Figures provided by the commission indicate that the institutions collectively account for approximately 37.2 per cent of the country’s banking deposits, valued at 35.3 billion Gambian dalasis.
They also represent about 32.6 per cent of industry loans, estimated at 7.67 billion dalasis, and 37 per cent of total banking assets, worth approximately 44.78 billion dalasis.
The figures underline the considerable presence of Nigerian financial institutions in The Gambia’s banking industry.
The commission also cited their contribution to investments in Central Bank bonds and funding for the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC).
According to NiDCOM, the banks account for approximately 34.5 per cent of investments in central bank bonds and reportedly provide 90 per cent of the funding supporting NAWEC’s operations.
The commission believes these contributions should be considered as the Gambian authorities implement their employment policy.
Local employment versus regional economic integration
The dispute has brought renewed attention to the balance between national employment policies and regional economic integration in West Africa.
Governments across the continent have introduced regulations designed to encourage businesses to employ qualified local professionals rather than rely excessively on foreign workers.
The Gambia’s position is that banks must comply with national labour laws and expatriate employment requirements while creating opportunities for suitably qualified citizens.
However, NiDCOM argues that such policies should also take account of legitimate employment arrangements and the contribution of skilled African professionals working across national borders.
The commission warned that replacing foreign employees without sufficient consideration of their circumstances could undermine confidence in cross-border investment and regional cooperation.
Its position reflects concerns about the potential consequences for Nigerian businesses operating in The Gambia and the wider relationship between the two countries.
Nigeria calls for diplomatic engagement
NiDCOM has urged the Central Bank of The Gambia to engage Nigerian diplomatic representatives and the affected banks before implementing the replacement process.
The commission wants both countries to pursue an arrangement that respects Gambian employment regulations while protecting the rights of Nigerian professionals with valid work authorisations.
For now, the directive remains scheduled for completion by December 31, 2026. No reversal or formal suspension of the policy has been announced in the reports surrounding NiDCOM’s appeal.
The coming weeks will therefore be important for the affected employees and financial institutions as they seek clarity on how the directive will be applied.
The situation also presents a broader question for West African economies: how can countries expand employment opportunities for their citizens while maintaining an environment that encourages regional investment and the movement of skilled professionals?
The outcome of discussions between the Gambian regulator, Nigerian authorities and the banks could help determine whether the dispute is resolved through cooperation or develops into a wider diplomatic disagreement.
