By Sheriff Hydara
The Gambia Telecommunications Company Ltd (GAMTEL) and SYSROAD SA HOLDING have signed a US$50 million Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement to modernize and expand the country’s national broadband and telecommunications infrastructure, with full backing from President Adama Barrow.
The project, aimed at overhauling the national internet backbone, received endorsement from the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (MOCDE), the State-Owned Enterprises Commission, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MOFEA).
The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday, 24 December 2025, at Bakadaji Hotel in Bijilo. Officials described it as a milestone in The Gambia’s digital transformation agenda and one of the largest investments in GAMTEL’s history.
Under the agreement, SYSROAD SA HOLDING, a leading African systems integrator, will implement a comprehensive upgrade of GAMTEL’s core network. The project will expand capacity from 50Gbps to 800Gbps—a 1,500% increase—eliminating connectivity bottlenecks and enhancing the country’s digital competitiveness.
The initiative follows a strategic policy shift in 2023 to address critical infrastructure gaps. It encompasses nationwide network expansion, extended fixed-line and broadband wireless coverage, improved reliability, and reduced operational costs for small and medium enterprises, startups, and local content creators.
“The project aims to lay a digital foundation for socio-economic growth,” the statement said. “It will facilitate digital financial services, boost fintech innovation, support e-commerce, improve public service delivery through e-learning, telemedicine, and digital government services, and attract foreign direct investment.”
GAMTEL Managing Director Lamin A. Tunkara said the partnership represents an investment in “sovereignty, resilience, and the economic future of generations to come,” noting that “connectivity is the new infrastructure of development.”
SYSROAD SA HOLDING Director General Mouhamad Fall described the initiative as “a shared commitment to The Gambia’s digital future and Africa’s transformation,” highlighting the importance of South–South cooperation and local capacity.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior GAMTEL and GAMCEL officials, regulators, and the PPP technical team.
About GAMTEL
The Gambia Telecommunications Company (GAMTEL) is the national operator providing fixed-line, broadband, and international connectivity services, playing a central role in the country’s digital development.
About SYSROAD SA HOLDING
SYSROAD, based in Senegal, is a technology and systems integration group with extensive experience in large-scale digital infrastructure projects across Africa.