17/07/2026
PRESS RELEASE
July 17, 2026
All Tuition Fees for Tertiary and Higher Education Institutions Must Be Quoted in Gambian Dalasi
The National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) wish to inform all tertiary and higher education institutions, students, parents, guardians, sponsors, and the general public that the Gambian Dalasi (GMD) is the legal tender of the Republic of The Gambia.
Accordingly, all tuition fees and other institutional charges levied by tertiary and higher education institutions operating in The Gambia must be quoted, advertised, invoiced, and collected in Gambian Dalasi (GMD).
This directive is issued in furtherance of the Authority's mandate to promote quality assurance, transparency, accountability, and fairness in the administration of tertiary and higher education in
The Gambia.
In recent times, the Authority has observed that some institutions have been quoting tuition fees and other charges in foreign currencies. This practice exposes students and their families to
fluctuations in exchange rates, creates uncertainty in educational costs, and undermines transparency in the pricing of educational services.
The use of the Gambian Dalasi as the sole currency for quoting tuition fees will:
* Promote transparency and consistency in the determination of educational costs;
* Protect students and sponsors from exchange rate volatility;
* Facilitate effective financial planning by students and their families;
* Strengthen compliance with the financial and monetary laws of The Gambia; and
* Enhance public confidence in the governance and administration of tertiary education.
Scope of the Directive
With immediate effect, all registered and accredited tertiary and higher education institutions in The Gambia shall ensure that:
1. All tuition fees shall be quoted exclusively in Gambian Dalasi (GMD) in all admission letters issued by tertiary and higher education institutions.
2. All admission brochures, prospectuses, websites, advertisements, application forms, invoices, receipts, and other official publications reflect fees in Gambian Dalasi.
3. Administrative fees, registration fees, examination fees, graduation fees, laboratory fees, accommodation charges, and all other institutional charges are similarly quoted in Gambian Dalasi.
4. Any institution that wishes to review or adjust its fees shall do so in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and communicate such changes transparently to the Authority and the public.
Institutional Compliance
All institutions are required to review their existing fee schedules and ensure full compliance with this directive. Institutions that currently quote fees in foreign currencies are expected to amend
their publications and financial documentation accordingly within a reasonable period prescribed by the Authority.
NAQAA will monitor compliance through its routine quality assurance and regulatory activities. Institutions found to be in breach of this directive may be subject to appropriate regulatory
measures in accordance with the NAQAA Act, 2021, and other applicable laws and regulations.
Guidance for Students and the Public
Students, parents, guardians, sponsors, and members of the public are encouraged to report any institution that continues to advertise or demand tuition fees in currencies other than the Gambian
Dalasi.
The Authority remains committed to safeguarding the interests of students while ensuring that tertiary and higher education institutions operate in a transparent, accountable, and legally
compliant manner.
NAQAA calls upon all institutions and stakeholders to cooperate fully in implementing this directive in the interest of protecting students, promoting sound financial practices, and strengthening the integrity of The Gambia's tertiary and higher education sector.
Issued by:
National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA)
