Canada-The Gambia relations

Bilateral relations

Canada and The Gambia established diplomatic relations in 1966, soon after the country gained its independence in 1965. After the 2016 elections which ended the dictatorial regime of President Jammeh that lasted 22 years, Canada has been actively involved in The Gambia’s transition to democracy. Canada also supported The Gambia’s reintegration in the Commonwealth and observer status in La Francophonie.

Canada is represented in the Gambia by the Embassy of Canada to Senegal, in Dakar.

The Gambia is represented in Canada by the Embassy of The Gambia in Washington, D.C.

Trade relations

In 2025, bilateral trade between Canada and The Gambia reached $11 million. Exports were valued at $10.8 million and imports at $232 thousand. Exports were led by motor vehicles and parts which accounted for 90.2% of exports to The Gambia. Imports were led by electronic equipment and parts and electrical which accounted for 56.7% of imports from The Gambia. Business opportunities exist for Canadian companies in education, agriculture and renewable energies, particularly hydroelectricity.

Development and humanitarian assistance

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) does not have a bilateral program in The Gambia, but contributes to the country's development through its partnership programs with Canadian, international and multilateral organizations.

The Gambia receives support through the Gavi Alliance, which helps fund vaccine procurement, immunization strategies and health system strengthening. Canada is contributing $600 million to Gavi through 2026. Since 2000, The Gambia has received nearly $34 million in support through the Alliance. In May 2022, Canada announced $20 million over four years to help four West African countries, including The Gambia, strengthen climate action, build resilience and support the transition to clean energy. In September 2023, Canada announced an additional $15 million over three years to support climate change adaptation in three countries, including The Gambia.

In 2024–2025, official development assistance from Canada to The Gambia (all channels) was $12.1 million.

The Canadian Embassy in Senegal, through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), funds projects implemented by local organizations that promote human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. In 2025-2026, Canada funded two projects in The Gambia on promoting the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and eradicating female genital mutilation (FGM).

See Project Browser for additional information on programming in The Gambia.

Peace and security

In 2022-2023, Canada supported The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparation Commission (TRRC) through Canada Fund for Local Initiatives projects. The Commission was created to uncover and provide remittances for human rights atrocities committed during the Jammeh regime. Canada also provided support through the Global Affair’s Technical Assistance Partnership program which funded the deployment of Canadian judicial experts to assist the unit of the Minister of Justice on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) for the investigation and prosecution crimes of SGBV in 2022 in The Gambia. Canada is an important contributor to the UN Peacebuilding Fund which supports a range of projects in The Gambia aimed at supporting the transition efforts. Canada also intervened with the Netherlands in the case against Myanmar brought by The Gambia to the International Court of Justice.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and The Gambia have opportunities to work together in multilateral fora, such as:

Date modified:: 2026-10-21

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