By Kemo Kanyi
The Gambia Cement Importers Association (GCIA) has urged the government to reconsider its decision to reinstate excise duty on the overland importation of bagged cement.
In a statement issued on Sunday, January 25, 2026, the association welcomed the government’s recent decision allowing its members to resume cement imports, describing it as a move that promotes competition and prevents dominance by a single operator in the market.
The GCIA said the temporary reduction of excise duty from 180 dalasis to 30 dalasis per bag had resulted in a significant decline in cement prices nationwide, easing pressure on consumers and the construction sector.
However, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment has announced that the temporary authorisation for overland cement importation will expire on 1 February 2026, after which the excise duty will be reinstated at 180 dalasis per bag.
Expressing concern over the announcement, the association said its members have honoured commitments to stabilise prices and address supply shortages since trade resumed. It stressed that competition, rather than monopoly, serves the best interests of Gambian consumers.
The GCIA noted that several importers forced out of business during the previous ban are yet to recover, adding that the recent policy shift has helped restore livelihoods for labourers, street vendors, and small retailers.
Cement plays a critical role in the construction industry, the association said, with knock-on effects on related building materials such as tiles, paint, timber, and hardware. Any disruption in cement supply, it warned, would affect the entire construction value chain.
Calling on the government to review the policy, the GCIA cited improvements recorded in the past month and the economic hardship experienced by Gambians over the past year.
According to the association, cement prices have dropped from between 600 and 700 dalasis per bag to current wholesale rates of 385–390 dalasis in Farafenni and about 400 dalasis in Banjul, attributing the decline to increased competition.
The GCIA also rejected claims that cement imports from Senegal negatively affect the foreign exchange rate, noting that the CFA franc exchange rate rose above 600 dalasis during the period when imports were limited.
While acknowledging that all cement imports require foreign currency, the association maintained that such imports have not destabilised the exchange rate. It warned that reinstating the excise duty would reverse recent gains and ultimately burden consumers.
