AGP Executive Report

Gambia in the spotlight: TUI has announced its first-ever direct Birmingham-to-Banjul flights for winter sun, starting 2 November 2026 (weekly Mondays), adding to existing routes from London Gatwick and Manchester. Sports diplomacy: The Gambia and the Canary Islands wrestling federations signed an MoU at TOLAC 2026, aiming to boost traditional wrestling, youth development, and technical exchange. Scorpions update: The Gambia senior national team has called up Bubacarr Tambedou and Karamba Gassama after injuries ruled out Abdoulie Ceesay and Jesper Ceesay. Community & culture: Royal Messenger unveiled his “Lya Gaye de Domi Gewel” cultural rebirth project, blending Wolof tradition with contemporary sound. Regional arts & health: AfriCAN launched Africa Day 2026 with a water, sanitation and nutrition campaign, while media and civil society training targets fake news ahead of 2026 elections.

Hospitality & Tourism Diplomacy: IHTEF Africa 9.0 in Abuja brought ministers, investors and sustainability leaders together, with The Gambia’s tourism chief Abdoulie Jobe among the delegation. Education & Soft Power: Prof Anthony Kila urged Nigerian universities to aggressively recruit international students across Commonwealth countries, framing it as revenue and influence, not just admissions. Immigration Tech Shift: Ghana launched an e-visa portal and scrapped African visa fees on Africa Day, moving applications fully online. Gambia Under Investigation: Over 20 Sierra Leoneans are reportedly trapped in an alleged human-trafficking scheme in The Gambia, with victims saying passports and phones were taken after paying fees. Football Transfer Buzz: Abu Barry is linked with a €3m Stoke City move after standout form for Austria Wien. World Cup Logistics: Iran says FIFA approved a switch of its World Cup base from Tucson to Tijuana, as visa and conflict pressures continue. Arts & Culture: Royal Messenger unveiled a new “Lya Gaye de Domi Gewel” direction blending Senegambian roots with contemporary sound. Sports Update: The Gambia named replacements after injuries to Abdoulie Ceesay and Jesper Ceesay, calling up Bubacarr Tambedou and Karamba Gassama.

World Cup logistics: Iran’s World Cup camp is shifting from Tucson to Tijuana after FIFA approved the late request, with the team citing visa and travel pressure tied to the US–Israel conflict; Iran also keeps its group matches in the US (Los Angeles and Seattle) while preparing in Turkey and handling visa appointments in Ankara. Gambia football: The Scorpions’ friendly with Iran is set for May 29, and the GFF has replaced injured Abdoulie Ceesay and Jesper Ceesay with Bubacarr Tambedou and Karamba Gassama. Local sports diplomacy: TOLAC 2026 ends with a MoU between The Gambia and the Canary Islands wrestling federations, pushing traditional wrestling, youth development, and exchange programs. Arts & culture: Royal Messenger launches “Lya Gaye de Domi Gewel,” blending Senegambian sounds with a new direction. Civic pressure: The Gambia Environmental Alliance criticizes government silence over a UN climate vote after The Gambia abstained. Finance: Sterling Financial reports record growth, while Nigeria’s NGX CEO urges deeper capital markets for stronger monetary policy transmission.

World Cup Logistics Shift: Iran says FIFA has approved moving its World Cup base camp from Tucson to Tijuana, Mexico, with the team citing safer travel and fewer visa headaches amid the US–Israel conflict. UK Housing Scrutiny: A British lawmaker is urging a South London council to investigate Sierra Leone’s first lady over continued use of subsidized housing. Gambia Football Updates: The Gambia squad gets injury reshuffles as Abdoulie Ceesay and Jesper Ceesay are omitted, replaced by Bubacarr Tambedou and Karamba Gassama. Cultural Spotlight: Royal Messenger launches a new “Lya Gaye” direction blending Senegambian sounds with contemporary music, framing it as a return to roots. Sports & Media Capacity: The Gambia trains sports journalists to strengthen coverage, while para powerlifting news confirms Team Gambia’s participation in an African open championship. Capital Markets Buzz: Sterling Financial Holdings reports strong Q1 growth, and Nigeria’s NGX CEO urges deeper capital market development as macroeconomic necessity.

World Cup Logistics Shift: Iran’s World Cup base camp is moving from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico after FIFA approval, with the squad aiming to dodge visa headaches and keep travel to Los Angeles tight. Visa Pressure: Iran players are also lining up Canadian visa appointments in Ankara, while some submit U.S. entry applications—showing how geopolitics is shaping football planning. Gambia Football Updates: The Gambia Scorpions face a shake-up as injured Abdoulie Ceesay and Jesper Ceesay are omitted, replaced by Bubacarr Tambedou and Karamba Gassama. Local Sports Diplomacy: TOLAC 2026 ends with a MoU between The Gambia and Spain’s Canary Islands wrestling federations, pushing cultural exchange and youth development. Arts & Culture: Royal Messenger unveils “Lya Gaye de Domi Gewel,” blending traditional Senegambian sounds with a modern direction. Media & Democracy: Media and civil society training targets fake news and AI-driven manipulation ahead of the 2026 elections.

Banking Boom: Sterling Financial Holdings posted record momentum, with FY2025 gross earnings up 44.4% to N486.8bn and Q1 2026 profit after tax up 52.8% to N27.9bn, as assets first crossed N4tn to N4.07tn. Cultural Rebirth: Royal Messenger launched “Lya Gaye de Domi Gewel,” blending Senegambian sounds with a new artistic direction and framing it as a return to roots through Wolof and griot-led storytelling. Tech in Focus: digifon is pushing locally designed audio tech with its open-ear OWS earbuds, aiming to shift West Africa from importing to building. Sports—Gambia in the World Cup Orbit: Iran’s squad is in Türkiye for World Cup prep and visa steps, with friendlies set vs The Gambia on May 29. Gambia Football Update: Abdoulie Ceesay and Jesper Ceesay were omitted from the Gambia squad due to injuries, replaced by Bubacarr Tambedou and Karamba Gassama. Migration Warning: US Coast Guard warned smugglers “do not value human life,” citing cases of migrants locked in unsafe compartments.

Cultural Spotlight: Royal Messenger has unveiled a new artistic direction under the “Lya Gaye de Domi Gewel” project, blending traditional Senegambian sounds with contemporary music and framing the shift as a return to roots—especially through Wolof lyrics and the modern role of griots. Football & Prep: Iran’s World Cup plans are in full swing: the squad is in Türkiye’s Antalya for training and is now heading to Ankara for visa appointments, with friendlies pencilled in against The Gambia (May 29) and Mali (June 4). Gambia Team Update: Injuries have forced Abdoulie Ceesay and Jesper Ceesay out of the Gambia squad, with Bubacarr Tambedou and Karamba Gassama called up. Sports Diplomacy: TOLAC 2026 has ended with a MoU between The Gambia and the Canary Islands wrestling federations to boost youth, cultural exchange, and athlete development. Media & Civic Trust: Ahead of elections, media and civil society training is pushing back against fake news and AI-driven manipulation.

Injuries Shake Up Scorpions Call-Ups: Abdoulie Ceesay and Jesper Ceesay have been left out of the Gambia senior squad after medical updates from their clubs, with Bubacarr Tambedou and Karamba Gassama stepping in. Para Sports Momentum: Gambia will take part in the African Open Para-Powerlifting Championship in Algeria, with Ali Kah and Babacar Jobe representing the country—an important return after the loss of Modou Gamo. Press Freedom Under Pressure: Tambadou’s demand letter challenges The Gambia’s promise of press freedom, reigniting a legal fight over public-interest reporting and defamation claims. Election-Ready Media Training: Media and civil society groups trained on how to spot and counter fake news and hate speech ahead of the 2026 elections, including AI-driven manipulation. Sports Diplomacy: TOLAC 2026 ended with a MoU between wrestling federations in The Gambia and Spain’s Canary Islands. Arts & Culture: RFI Hausa marks 19 years on air, while Gambian visual artist Moulaye Sarr prepares to join ART27’s residency push. World Stage Distraction: Iran’s World Cup plans are complicated by US/Canada visa hurdles as they train in Turkey.

Sports Diplomacy: TOLAC 2026 wrapped up with a fresh MoU linking The Gambia and Spain’s Canary Islands wrestling federations, aiming to boost youth development, training, and cultural exchange. Arts & Media Memory: RFI Hausa marks 19 years on the air, keeping Hausa-language broadcasting alive across West Africa. Culture & Community: A new donation from the Hagie Gai Drammeh Foundation brings table tennis and learning items to Gunjur SSS, betting on sport and education to build confidence. Infrastructure & Faith: President Barrow toured URR and CRR, inaugurating a mosque in Demba Kunda and pushing road works under the “Connect Gambia Initiative.” Democracy Debate: A fresh commentary warns that The Gambia’s politics is sliding from manifesto debate into personal attacks and online abuse. Football Focus: The 2027 AFCON qualifying draw sets Ghana and Ivory Coast in the same group as Gambia and Somalia, while sports journalists get capacity training to strengthen coverage. International Sports Logistics: Iran’s World Cup preparations continue in Turkey as visa appointments loom.

Arts & Culture: Elliot Burg’s “Heart & Eye” retrospective is now showing at the Vermont Supreme Court Gallery, with 49 photos spanning flood recovery, sports, and remembrance that even reaches The Gambia. Sports Development: The Hagie Gai Drammeh Foundation donated table tennis and learning items to Gunjur SSS, betting on sport to build discipline and confidence. Justice & Accountability: A new piece argues The Gambia’s transitional justice process enriched the system more than victims, pointing to spending imbalances. Football Buzz: AFCON 2027 qualifiers are set with Ghana drawn alongside Ivory Coast, plus Gambia and Somalia in Group C—while local football politics heats up as Sadibou Kamaso launches his “Starting XI” reform plan. Human Rights Watch: A report flags weak enforcement and corruption as key hurdles, even as democratic freedoms improve. Sports Journalism: A course is underway to strengthen Gambian sports journalists’ skills in administration and governance.

Faith & Youth Growth: Elder Gilbert of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Africa praised “the majesty of this moment” as he met the Africa West Area presidency, discussing church growth, BYU–Pathway Worldwide, and seminary support for young people. Gambia Football Politics: Sadibou Kamaso has launched his “Starting XI” 2026–2030 manifesto, promising reforms to restore confidence in the Gambia Football Federation—covering infrastructure, league professionalisation, and more support for youth and women. Sports Media Training: A sports administrators course for sports journalists is underway, with organisers stressing that Gambian sports can’t grow without stronger reporting and governance skills. Jobs & the Economy: The Gambia’s job crisis is worsening in the formal sector, while a new labour snapshot shows informality dominates employment—especially for women and rural workers. World Football Build-Up: Iran’s World Cup squad is in Turkey and heading to visa appointments in Ankara, while AFCON 2027 qualifiers are already shaping up with Ghana drawn alongside Ivory Coast, and Gambia in the same group.

Sports Journalism Boost: A sports administrators course for Gambian sports journalists is underway, with SJAG and GNOC leaders saying better reporting is essential for fair, transparent sports governance and stronger narratives. Job Crisis Watch: The Gambia Bureau of Statistics warns the job crisis is worsening in the formal sector, with informality still dominating employment nationwide. AFCON Qualifiers Set-Up: The 2027 AFCON qualifying draw puts Ghana and Ivory Coast in Group C with Gambia and Somalia, and former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong calls it a “tough” but exciting group. World Cup Visa Pressure: Iran’s squad is in Türkiye preparing for the 2026 World Cup, but players face visa hurdles—first in Ankara at the Canadian embassy, with some also applying for US visas. Local Arts Momentum: Gambian visual artist Moulaye Sarr is set to join the ART27 artist group, aiming for more exposure and a stronger contemporary art platform at home. Health Support: Salifu Jaiteh donates essential medicines to Fatoto District Hospital after a viral shortage alarm.

World Cup build-up: Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei says readiness is behind after players were sidelined for seven weeks, but a Turkey camp could fix part of the gap; Iran will face The Gambia on May 29 and then finalize the World Cup squad by June 1, with visa appointments in Ankara adding pressure. AFCON qualifiers: The 2027 draw in Cairo sets up a big Group C: Ghana vs Ivory Coast, with Gambia and Somalia also in the mix—plus Nigeria’s Group L rivals Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. Local arts & culture: Gambian visual artist Moulaye Sarr has joined ART27, aiming for a residency and a longer-term push toward a permanent contemporary art gallery in The Gambia. Community health: Salifu Jaiteh donated medicines to Fatoto District Hospital after a viral shortage clip. Sports spotlight: Gambia’s women’s wrestling drive continues, while football politics heats up with manifesto promises to professionalize the domestic game.

World Cup build-up: Iran’s “Team Melli” has started training in Turkey’s Antalya, but readiness is a worry after weeks out of action; the squad is also pushing ahead with US visa applications ahead of a May 29 friendly vs The Gambia. AFCON qualifying spotlight: Ghana and Ivory Coast landed in the same 2027 AFCON qualifying group, with Gambia and Somalia completing Group C, while Zambia waits for its own draw in Cairo. Gambia politics under the microscope: A fresh IEC warning to unregistered political movements is putting The Gambia’s electoral rules and enforcement into sharper public focus, as human-rights reporting flags weak law enforcement and corruption. Women in sport: The Gambia Wrestling Association is intensifying women’s wrestling, and the country is hosting an ECOWAS wrestling tournament in Serekunda. Health and capacity: Merck Foundation marks World Hypertension Day by expanding scholarships across 52 countries, and a new global study backs food-based prenatal nutrition support for better birth outcomes.

Security Update: A fresh joint US–Nigerian strike campaign in Borno’s Metele area killed more than 20 ISWAP militants, with AFRICOM saying no personnel were harmed and the goal is to disrupt planning and deny safe havens. Gambia Football & Politics: In local football politics, opposition movement UNITE holds its maiden congress and elects a new leadership team, while Gambian football reform talk stays hot—Sadibou Kamaso’s manifesto pushes professional contracts, a league management company, and higher prize money. Sports on the Move: Iran’s “Team Melli” arrives in Turkey for training and visa steps ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with a friendly vs The Gambia set for May 29. Arts & Culture: The EU and Alliance Française keep cinema buzzing with the 5th European Film Festival in Banjul. Community & Youth: Gambian wrestling and youth football development remain in focus, as ECOWAS wrestling opens in Serekunda and football elders back youth-focused reforms.

Iran–Gambia Football Link: Iran’s “Team Melli” has arrived in Turkey for a World Cup prep camp, with visas still a live issue, and a friendly against The Gambia set for 29 May in Antalya—Iran says it will use Turkey to complete visa steps and fine-tune plans for the tournament in the US. Gambia Sports Momentum: Locally, the ECOWAS Wrestling Championship is underway in Banjul, while Sulayman Camara’s Racing Santander win keeps him on track for promotion in Spain’s La Liga Two. Media & Culture: The 5th European Film Festival returns to Banjul, bringing films from France, Germany, Spain and Poland to Alliance gardens. Tabaski Fun in Banjul: ChopWin’s Tabaski Shopping Spree puts 20 winners through a 60-second supermarket dash, plus a Golden Tombola with a sheep prize. Politics & Claims: A new open letter demands a public apology from Mustapha K. Darboe over alleged defamation tied to Jammeh assets. Health Spotlight: Merck Foundation marks World Hypertension Day with scholarships for healthcare professionals across Africa and Asia.