Africa-Press – Gambia. Years after the fall of former President Yahya Jammeh, the full extent and fate of the vast real estate empire he amassed during his 22-year rule remains concealed from the Gambian public. Though the Janneh Commission catalogued hundreds of properties linked to Jammeh—ranging from urban plots to protected national parks—there is still no official government disclosure of how these assets were disposed of, to whom, or at what price.
The secrecy surrounding the sales and transfers of Jammeh’s holdings has ignited a fresh wave of public outrage, fueled by the recent investigative revelations by The Republic. Now, Kerr Fatou has obtained detailed information suggesting that much of Jammeh’s shadowy empire is larger and more complex than previously acknowledged—and that much of it remains unsold, or sold under opaque terms.
An Unparalleled Real Estate Portfolio
According to documents reviewed by Kerr Fatou, 266 properties were identified by the Janneh Commission across all regions of The Gambia, in addition to 10 islands, 8 forest parks, 26 wetlands and wildlife reserves, and 10 hills. These assets were acquired through purchase, seizure, lease, or outright appropriation during Jammeh’s presidency.
Unofficial reports suggest that Pa Bojang, a cousin of the former president, allegedly returned to The Gambia some time in 2021. It is alleged that during his return, he identified several properties belonging to the former president that were purportedly missed by the Janneh Commission to the authorities. However, the findings related to these alleged properties have never been officially acknowledged by the government, nor has a public list been provided detailing the properties reportedly identified by Pa Bojang. Furthermore, Pa Bojang’s alleged role and presence in the country have not been formally addressed or acknowledged.
Summary of Asset Distribution by Region
RegionNo. of PropertiesBanjul22Kanifing Municipality43West Coast Region117Lower River Region9Central River Region23North Bank Region14Upper River Region8TOTAL266
Overview of Jammeh’s Asset Disposals
Below is a compiled list of 45 properties from the 266 assets identified as belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh that have been identified by our sources as sold. This information has not been officially acknowledged or confirmed by the authorities in Banjul.
Following the release of the Janneh Commission report and the subsequent 2019 Government White Paper, the Government of The Gambia accepted the Commission’s recommendations to confiscate and sell by public auction a substantial portfolio of properties acquired by former President Yahya Jammeh, his companies (notably Kanilai Family Farms and Kanilai Group International), and close associates. These included over 200 properties spanning residential, commercial, and agricultural assets, as well as properties linked to General Sulayman Badjie and Baba Jobe. The intent was to recover public funds and ensure accountability for the misuse of state resources.
However, despite these commitments, the Ministry of Justice has only provided the National Assembly with a partial list of approximately 45 properties sold, along with limited pricing details. To date, there has been no comprehensive public report or audit disclosing the full extent of the implementation of the Janneh Commission’s recommendations—whether in terms of asset recovery, revenue raised, or the final status of the broader portfolio of properties identified. This lack of transparency raises concerns about the completeness and accountability of the implementation process and the fate of significant national assets.
For clarity and readability, the information has been organized into tables providing details of each sale, including the Property Location, sale price, and the buyer.
Location of PropertyAmount (GMD)BuyerNo. 78A Daniel Goddard Street (Hagan Street)6,000,000AGIBNo. 78B Daniel Goddard Street (Hagan Street)5,500,000Ebrima JallowNo. 13 Grant Street2,600,000Fanta TourayNo. 64 Leman Street5,000,000Abdoulie JallowNo. 15 Dobson Street3,650,000Serign GaiNo. 73A OAU Boulevard (Leman Street)10,500,000Momodou Korka JallowNo. 64 OAU Boulevard (Leman Street)15,000,000Manex Ltd – Narendra RajwaniNo. 3 Daniel Goddard (Hagan Street)5,000,000Mahadi TourayJengdula Nightclub1,600,000Muhammed JahNo. 60 Daniel Goddard Street (Hagan Street)6,200,000Mahadi TourayNo. 61 Daniel Goddard Street (Hagan Street)2,550,000Mahadi TourayNo. 2 Fitzgerald Street4,000,000Emkay Stores – Nandkishore RajwaniNo. 72 Gloucester Street12,000,000Fouta EnterpriseNo. 18A Picton Street1,550,000Serign GaiNo. 13 Picton Street3,600,000Serign GaiNo. 57A Daniel Goddard Street (Hagan Street)1,000,000GPABakau – Former CFAO21,000,000Muhammed JahNo. 16 Kairaba Avenue41,750,000Jah OilNo. 300 Brufut Gardens7,050,000Basadie JabbieNo. B381/08 Brufut Gardens3,840,100Lang ContehNo. 211 Paradise Estate4,500,000Sankung FattyNo. 214 Paradise Estate3,675,000Ms. Alimatou SallahKotu Extension Layout4,250,000Catherine JabangKololi Village (Off Bertil Harding Highway)6,750,000Catherine JabangSinchu Alagie Garden (Kombo Coastal Road)2,200,000Mamudou BahKanifing Industrial Estate (Garage)33,000,000Shyben MadiKerr Serign (Senegambia Junction)50,000,000Serign GaiNo. 34 Liberation Avenue16,550,000Fanta TourayKerr Serign (Off Kerr Serign/Sanchaba Road)3,800,000Habib JengBrufut Heights B7,150,000Lemin SisayNo. 850 Salagi600,000Momodou Sowe168 Kotu West Layout2,800,000Ida SarrBakau New Town1,453,000Momodou BahFajara South Atlantic3,150,000Baboucarr Sompo CeesayFuturelec100,250,000The Central Bank of The GambiaRoyal Atlantic110,051,885Balaton Company Ltd / Corendon HotelsGam Veg60,000,000Gamfood Trading Company LtdObsolete assets at Brikama7,000,000Jah OilSecond-hand vehicles at Ocean Bay Hotel2,233,000Abdoulie Joof, Abdoulie Touray, Foresight AccountDamaged vehicles at Futurelec building310,000Saihou Kabiru DarboeBPI vehicles at Sun Beach Hotel1,385,000West African Leisure Group, Abdoulie Kara JammehShares at Comium5,750,000Comium Gambia LimitedShares at Gam Petroleum551,250,000SSHFC, Star Oil, GNPCFY 2019 Paid Dividends (GT Bank shares)1,051,969—FY 2020 Declared Dividends (GT Bank shares)2,391,589—
BANJUL: Capital City Holdings
Most of Jammeh’s 22 properties in Banjul were reportedly purchased through intermediaries or government entities. Among the most notables are the properties listed below:
No.Address/Location178A Daniel Goddard Street278B Daniel Goddard Street33 Daniel Goddard Street415 Dobson Street513 Davidson Carrol Street626 Ecowas Avenue773A OAU Boulevard864 OAU Boulevard92 Fitzgerald Street109 Fitzgerald Street1113 Picton Street1218A Picton Street1372 Gloucester Street1449 William Cole Street1534 Liberation Avenue166A 22nd July Square1757A Daniel Goddard Street1860 Daniel Goddard Street1961 Daniel Goddard Street20Jengdula Nightclub21Royal Atlantic Hotel (partially owned via KFF)22Gam Veg Cold Storage facility
KANIFING MUNICIPALITY: High-Value Urban Real Estate
In the Kanifing Municipality, 43 properties have been traced to former President Yahya Jammeh by the Janneh Commission, many of which were reportedly acquired through his Kanilai Family Farm (KFF) holdings. Below is a list of notable properties he is believed to have acquired during his time in office in the Kanifing Municipal Area. This list is not exhaustive.
No.Location116 Kairaba Avenue2Fajara “M” Section3Fajara South Atlantic4Fajara South Atlantic (4 Baker Street)5Fajara South Atlantic6Fajara “M” Section7Bakau (Old CFAO)8Bakau, Cape Point9Bakau, Cape Point Plot No. 1410Bakau New Town11Bakau Katchikali12Kotu – Dunes Hotel & Resort13Kanifing Industrial Area (Former Quantum Associates)14Abuko Abattoir15Old Jeshwang16Kanifing Industrial Estate – Garage17Kanifing Industrial Estate – Plot (Saihou Ceesay & Sons)18Kotu – Bertil Harding Highway19Kotu Point (between Palma Rima & Dunes Hotel)20Kotu Quarry21Old Cape Road – Old Jeshwang22Bakau-Mile 7 (Coastal Road)23Fajara Water Tank – Atlantic Road24Fajara “M” Section – Coastal Highway25Fajara “M” Section – Coastal Highway (2nd plot)26Talinding Island – Mangrove Swamps27Cape Point Sea Front28Cape Point Bakau Extension Layout (Plot 1–6)29Jengdula (Extension) – Banjul–Serrekunda Highway + Lagoon
WEST COAST REGION: Estates, Forests, and Tourist Sites
With 117 holdings, the West Coast Region marked former President Jammeh’s most extensive land accumulation, encompassing entire estates and designated wildlife zones. Below is a selection of properties our sources attribute to him in the West Coast Region. The 16 listed here are far from exhaustive—merely a glimpse into a much larger portfolio.
RegionLocationKombo NorthFarato FarmsGunjurBanjulundingBijiloBrufut HeightsBrufut TAF GardensParadise EstateYarambamba EstateBusumbalaKombo SouthFarato Farms Extension (Nyambai Forest)Santangba Forest LandJamburrSanyangFoni DistrictsNdemban Farm(Jarrol, Bondali, Kansala)Buram FarmBajilo–Sibanor–Jakoi–Kanjer Block
Lower River Region: Islands, Farms and National forest acquired.
It is reported that former President Jammeh acquired nine properties in the Lower River Region, encompassing islands, national parks, and farms. Below is a glimpse of some of these properties:
No.Location & DescriptionSizeLease Info1Elephant Island, Jassong – Jarra East District1,079 hectaresP25/2008, dated 12th June 20072Kiang West National Park, Dumbutu – Kiang West District21,348.15 hectaresP80/20133Missira Tenda566.12 hectaresNot specified4Karantaba Jula120.31 hectaresNot specified5Jali Farm944.83 hectaresNot specified6–10Karantaba (5 plots from Baba Jobe) – Jarra West District2,314.13 hectares (total)P11/1997, P13/1997, P15/1997, P17/1997, P18/199711Soma Town~1,600 sqmNot specified
Island And Coconut Plantation: Environmental Assets acquired by Jammeh in the North Bank Region
It is reported that former President Jammeh acquired fourteen properties in the North Bank Region, which include the Ginack Islands and a coconut plantation in Barra. Below is a selection of some of these properties:
PropertySizeLease/Purchase DetailsFinding1. Barra Coconut Plantation2,142 m2Purchase Price: D1,000,000, Lease P11/2007 (Ndure family)Valid title, but acquired through influence2. Essau Plot 1493 m2Lease P16/2008Lease not supported; recommended for rescission3. Essau Plot 21,274 m2Lease P13/2008No valid acquisition from landowners; lease to be rescinded4. Essau Plot 3300 m2 (0.03 ha)Lease P14/2008Irregular lease process; to be rescinded5. Ginack Island, Kanuma (Barra)169.34 haLease P9/2010No lawful basis for lease; recommended for rescission
Forest Parks, Hills, Highlands, Wildlife Reserves & Wetlands
The former president amassed a significant number of properties across the country during his time in office. This inventory underscores the substantial extent of land ownership by Jammeh across various natural areas. The ex-president’s acquisitions span a variety of landscapes, including islands, forest parks, hills, and wildlife reserves, reflecting a deep integration with the country’s environmental assets. The following tables present a breakdown of these properties, demonstrating the breadth and scope of his acquisitions.
Islands
Island NameLocationSize (hectares)NotesElephant IslandJassong, LRR1,079Dog IslandSitanunku, NBR4.40Kai-Sabi-Passo IslandCRR809.24Barra Ginack IslandNBR169.34Kangfuafo IslandsJareng, URR251.65Kajokati IslandNiani DistrictNot specifiedRegistered under Kayai communityBijol IslandWCRNot specifiedMentioned within Tanji Bird Reserve; protected status changedUnnamed River IslandNear Kudang, CRRNot specifiedInvestigated as swamp landUnnamed Island near Pacharr FieldsNot specifiedNot specifiedEncompassed in Wildlife AreaKudang Maku Nyama Field IslandNot specified6.40Treated as island under Tambi Wetlands
Forest Parks
Park NameLocationSize (hectares)NotesKiang West National ParkDumbutu, LRR21,348.15Kiang ParkGissey Manduar & Bankuling3,649.71Burong/Bantasu–Santangba–Taborang–Missara ParkNot specified2,946.19Sotuma Suma KoiURR663.98KudangURR947.81JarengURR251.65Kessel KundaURRNot specifiedTreated as forest/swamp landBujingaWCR411.72Swamp/forest area
Hills
Hill NameLocationSize (hectares)NotesKaur HillCRR19.65Public hill misappropriatedSere Maila HillNot specifiedNot specifiedLeased to ex-president for developmentChamen HilltopCRRNot specifiedDeclared public land gifted to JammehUnnamed Hill in KudangNot specifiedNot specifiedUsed for agricultural purposeBati Hai HillNot specifiedNot specifiedHigh elevation wetlandJareng High GroundsNear Kangfuafo IslandNot specifiedNiani Plateau ExtensionNot specifiedNot specifiedHilltop near PacharrNot specifiedNot specifiedConfirmed for radio installationHill at Gamtel Mast LocationSere MailaNot specifiedAnother hill within Kiang Forest Park RangeNot specifiedNot specified
Wildlife Reserves & Wetlands
Reserve NameLocationSize (hectares)NotesTanji Bird ReserveNot specifiedNot specifiedBrufut Sanneh MenterengNot specified7.65Adjacent to Sheraton HotelNot specified11.84Fish Landing Site (Brufut)Not specified7.76Parcel leased to Madame Nadiany BambaNot specified0.41Pacharr Rice FieldsCRR1,372.80Sankulay KundaCRRNot specifiedWildlife Conservation ZoneSapu FieldsNot specifiedNot specifiedWildlife ZoneDankunkuURR4,258.55Kudang and Kudang Maku NyamaTambi Wetlands zoneNot specifiedSinchu JenungNot specified7.08WassuNot specified5.71Pallang MandinkaNot specified9.69Kuntaur Fulla Kunda, Chamen, Bati Hai, Kerr Isab, etc.Not specifiedNot specifiedAll declared Wildlife Conservation Areas
Legal Cloud and Public Pressure
Though the Janneh Commission recommended rescinding several leases—especially those involving national parks, wildlife reserves, and communal lands—there is little public evidence that the state has enforced these recommendations. No government white paper or sale audit has been publicly issued to date.
Experts warn that this lack of transparency could undermine public trust in democratic reforms. “Accountability demands disclosure,” said one constitutional lawyer. “The people have a right to know how public assets were misappropriated and how restitution is being made.”
A Public Still Waiting
Despite numerous calls by civil society and the media for greater transparency, no government sale audit has been publicly issued to date. In the absence of concrete disclosures, speculation, frustration, and mistrust continue to grow among Gambians who suffered under the dictatorship.
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