By Fatou Krubally
Members of the National Assembly have called for measures to reduce electricity and utility costs for Salaam Cement, arguing that high energy costs are contributing to the high price of cement in The Gambia.
The call was made Thursday during debate on a report by the National Assembly Select Committee on Trade and Regional Integration following its follow-up visit to Salaam Cement’s production facility at Denton Bridge on April 21, 2026.
The Committee reported that Salaam Cement has made significant progress since a previous visit in 2018, when the company was mainly engaged in re-bagging imported cement.
The company began local cement manufacturing in 2022 and currently has an annual production capacity of 300,000 tonnes, with plans to expand capacity to one million tonnes.
However, management told the Committee that unreliable and costly electricity remains one of its major challenges.
The company currently relies on two-megawatt generators and is charged commercial electricity tariffs rather than industrial rates, according to the report.
During the debate, the Member for Jeshwang, Sheriff Sarr, said the government should review the costs imposed on Salaam Cement, given that the company is engaged in local cement manufacturing rather than simply importing and re-bagging the product.
He argued that electricity and other charges should reflect the difference between local manufacturing and businesses primarily involved in importing and re-bagging cement.
Sarr also urged the authorities to examine Salaam Cement’s selling prices in comparison with other cement suppliers while ensuring that product quality remains a key consideration.
The Committee said the company’s planned expansion could significantly increase employment. Salaam Cement currently employs between 75 and 90 workers and expects its workforce to increase to between 275 and 290 as operations expand.
Access to raw materials, however, remains another challenge. Management informed the Committee that raw materials had been identified in Kombosotokoi and Kubune but could not be accessed because of land disputes.
The Member for Foni Brefet, Amie Kolley, called on the government to strengthen negotiations with affected landowners to enable the company to access the materials.
She said resolving the land disputes could increase production and create additional employment opportunities for young Gambians.
The Member for Niamina West, Biram Sowe, said employment creation should also be assessed in terms of wages, working conditions and opportunities for Gambians to occupy skilled positions.
He urged the government to ensure that local-content policies were respected by manufacturing companies.
Deputy Majority Leader Abdoulie Ceesay welcomed Salaam Cement’s transition from re-bagging to manufacturing and called for stronger and sustained collaboration between the government and local industries, particularly during periods of cement shortages.
The Trade Committee recommended that the government create a more enabling environment for local manufacturing, including measures to reduce energy and utility costs and strengthen cooperation between public institutions and the private sector.
The Committee said increased local production and value addition were important to reducing import dependence, supporting industrialisation and promoting economic diversification.
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