SOURCE: State House of The Gambia
VERDICT: True
FINDINGS: During the State of the nation address held on June 27th 2024 at the National Assembly in Banjul, the President of the Republic of The Gambia mentioned in his speech that The Gambia’s economy has surpassed the projected growth rate for Sub Saharan Africa and stood at 5.3%.
According to a report released by the World Bank in October, 2023 titled “Africa overview” it is indicated that, the growth rate in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to slow down to 2.5% in 2023, And;
In another article released by the International Poverty Reduction Center in China (2023), referenced is made with regards the Africa Overview report released by the World Bank in October 2023 to indicate the poverty reduction center report on the economic situation in Africa as the growth rate is projected to slow down to 2.5% in 2023 for Sub Saharan Africa.
Abebe Aemro Selassie, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Director of the African Department in October, 2023, stated that the IMF “expected” Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth to stand at 3.3% from 4% in 2022.
In May of 2024, the World Bank released a country-focused report on the Gambia and in it, it was stated that “The Gambia’s economy increased in 2023 amid continued global challenges” and stated the Gambia’s gross domestic product (GDP) figure of 5.3% as the growth rate that the nation achieved in 2023.
In Conclusion
The statement made by the President of the Republic of the Gambia during the state of the nation address is verified to be true with the above-mentioned supporting evidence to his claim about the Gambia’s economy surpassing the projected growth rate for Sub-Saharan Africa. Data from internationally recognized institutions regarding the Gambia’s economy in 2023 have aligned with the figure given by the president.
BY: Alhaji Alie Sesay
Intern
