The Gambia's goods trade deficit narrowed to $242.5mn, equivalent to 8.8% of GDP, in the second quarter of 2026, from $284.4mn in the first, the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) said on August 20. Exports rose 21.9% to $171.0mn, helped by re-exports and shipments of edible fruit and oilseeds, while imports fell 2.6% to $413.5mn.
Analysis: The trade gap narrowed by $41.9mn, or 14.7%, from the previous quarter, by our calculation, with exports covering 41% of imports. Some of the improvement came from re-exports, goods imported for shipment elsewhere, while cashew and groundnut exports typically peak in the first half. For banks and importers seeking foreign currency, the broader current account is more important: its deficit widened to $34.6mn from $29.7mn. GBoS customs data extend only to early 2025, making the CBG's update after its November 25 policy meeting the next useful source.
Source: Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG), CBG Monetary Policy Committee press release, August 20, 2026, Q2 2026 and Q1 2026 and Q2 2025; Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS), GBoS International Merchandise Trade Statistics, First Quarter 2025, Q1 2025