The African Development Bank Group has approved $20.56 million for the Gambian Government to finance the fourth expansion of the Banjul port.

The financing will include a $13.71 million grant from the African Development Fund (ADF), $6.85 million grant from the entity’s Transition Support Facility window and a $450,000 grant from the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program, a joint initiative of ADB and the Global Centre on Adaptation.

The fourth expansion programme will include an extension of the port’s pier by 345m serving to accommodate up to three ships simultaneously as well as expanding the container terminal area by 22,000 metre square to facilitate increased container volumes. 

It will also include replacing and procuring a new-generation ferry that runs between the cities of Banjul and Barra; as well as widening the port’s Bund Road access roads by 3km to ease congestion.

Other aspects of the expansion project include reducing sea freight costs and demurrage payments. 

This the authorities believe will serve to improve information and communication processing systems to facilitate improved linkages between customs and the terminal operating system.

And also significantly reduce ship turnaround time, thereby cutting congestion and costly surcharges.

The port expansion will feature investment from private investors that will be selected by the Gambian Government.