The Gambia spent 785.13mn GMD (€9.3mn) on diesel subsidies and 42.46mn GMD (€0.5mn) on petrol subsidies between March and September 2026, Finance Minister Seedy Keita said in his October 23 budget speech, Foroyaa reported. Retail diesel prices rose 41.8% over the same period, while petrol prices increased 33.1%, he said, adding that the subsidies kept pump prices below the level that a full pass-through of international prices would have produced.
Analysis: Diesel support averaged around 112mn GMD (€1.3mn) a month and accounted for about 95% of fuel subsidies, by our calculation. Diesel is widely used in transport, fishing and backup generators, particularly during power outages. Despite the subsidy, its pump price rose 41.8%, showing that consumers still faced substantially higher fuel costs. Diesel has cost 120 GMD (€1.43) per liter since September 1. Freight operators and generator users are especially exposed to any further increase. The petroleum ministry's November price schedule, normally effective on the first of the month, may show whether support continues.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper (Serrekunda), Minister of Finance's 2027 Budget Speech to the National Assembly, October 23, 2026, as reported by Foroyaa (October 23, 2026), March to September 2026; CapMad, CapMad, reporting the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines price structure, Effective 1 September 2026; Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG), CBG, Official Exchange Rates for Valuation Purposes, October 27, 2026 (daily PDF), October 27, 2026