Women in small-scale trading have complained about the impact of the ongoing economic crisis on their businesses.

Fatou Jarju, who sells vegetables at Albert market in Banjul, told Gambiana that “business was better off during the Covid wave than now” adding they would need financial support from the government to keep their businesses from collapsing.

 “We were not feeling the impact of Covid at that time. But now, things are very hard on us, because materials are very costly. 

“Prices are doubling up every day. It’s very hard on us. If the government can help us to reduce the prices of commodities that will be helpful,” she said.

“We didn’t get any subvention from the government, but I heard that some people received loans.”

Abi Sarr, who sells female products like jewelleries and earrings, echoed similar remarks, describing the situation for them as “very hard”. 

She urged the government to help them by reducing the cost of goods to increase the footfall in the country’s markets. 

“Covid wave was far better than now because prices of goods are skyrocketing rapidly now, and we are seriously affected by the situation. 

“We definitely need support from the government to help reduce the prices of goods in order to make business easy for us,” Ms Sarr said.

“During the Covid wave, one could buy and sell and earn some profits, but as of now, business is so difficult because if you buy, you don’t see people coming to buy because prices have double up. 

“Things are now difficult now due to price hike and fare have also increased,” Ndeye Gaye, also a trader at Serrekunda market told Gambiana.

Abdou Kolley, an economist, said the government could have taken measures aimed at reducing the negative effect on its people especially small-scale businesses.

“The government can set up an Enterprise Fund through which funds can be accessible not only to ease the challenge of access to finance for start-ups and micro and small businesses,” he told Gambiana.

According to Mr Kolley, the Gambia’s economic recovery will not only depend on measures taken at domestic level but also on what happens at the global level.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba