23/07/2026
The Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG), through its Economics Research Department, successfully hosted a one-day Stakeholder Engagement Workshop on Statistical Data Compilation, Quality, and Use at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre.
The workshop commenced with Welcome Remarks and a Keynote Address by Dr. Foday Joof of the Economics Research Department, CBG, who emphasized that timely, accurate, complete, and consistent data is a strategic national resource that underpins the Bank's integrity and supports sound, evidence-based policymaking. He highlighted the growing importance of quality external sector statistics in guiding monetary and fiscal policy, exchange rate management, investment decisions, and monitoring external vulnerabilities. Dr. Joof also underscored the need for continuous improvements in statistical compilation to align with evolving international standards, including the IMF's new Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM7), while calling for stronger collaboration among data producers and users.
The workshop featured insightful panel discussions with representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on international data standards, cross-country comparability, capacity building, and the use of statistics in policymaking. Presentations were also delivered by Mr. Lamin L. Dibba of the Gambia Bureau of Statistics on producing official statistics, ensuring data quality, sharing data, and meeting users' needs, alongside contributions from the University of The Gambia and Mrs. Mary P. Mendy, Deputy Director of Customs and Excise at the Gambia Revenue Authority.
The engagement reaffirmed CBG's commitment to strengthening collaboration among data producers and users to enhance the quality, reliability, and use of statistics in support of informed decision-making and sustainable economic development.