Africa-Press – Gambia. The Minister for Communications and Digital Economy on Tuesday briefed the National Assembly on the ongoing restructuring of state-owned operators Gamtel and Gamcel, disclosing that the government is negotiating a D6.7 billion investment package aimed at modernizing and commercializing the national telecoms infrastructure.
Responding to a question from Banjul North Member, Minister Lamin Jabbi said the fourth phase of the social plan for staff affected by the restructuring was completed in June 2025. A total of 486 employees received compensation amounting to D210.6 million, including D32.8 million in six-month notice payments.
A second phase covering 155 additional staff is scheduled for implementation before the end of December, with D29 million already approved by the Ministry of Finance.
To address grievances arising from the exercise, the Ministry has opened a dedicated office at Gamtel’s Serekunda Exchange Complex and constituted a committee to engage affected workers.
The Minister further reported that Ciceroid Limited has been approved under a public-private partnership to rehabilitate Gamtel’s infrastructure. For Gamcel, two local firms — Y-Cell and DK Telecoms — were evaluated for the sale of a majority stake. Y-Cell emerged as the most responsive bidder, proposing an investment of D6.7 billion. Cabinet has instructed that negotiations with Y-Cell proceed, pending final approval.
Under the proposal, the government would retain a 20% stake in Gamcel, with the investor holding 80%. The authorities expect up to D800 million in immediate revenue from the initial payment for the shares, while the remainder of the investment would finance network upgrades. Gamtel’s modernization, meanwhile, is to follow a build-operate-transfer model.
Lawmakers also raised concerns about arrears owed by government institutions to the two companies. The Minister confirmed outstanding debts exceeding D200 million and said measures were being taken to settle them.
He added that the valuation of both enterprises was conducted by a multi-stakeholder committee comprising officials from the Ministry, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Justice, and representatives of the companies, in line with standard government procedures.
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
