The Gambia Cement Importers Association recently urged the government to reconsider its decision to reinstate the excise tax on cement imported by land. In its statement released on January 25, 2026, the association welcomed the government's decision to allow its members to resume cement imports, arguing that the move promotes competition in the market and prevents a single operator from monopolizing the market.
Earlier, the government temporarily reduced the consumption tax on cement imported by land from 180 Dalasi to 30 Dalasi per bag, a policy adjustment that brought about a significant drop in cement prices across the country, effectively easing the pressure on consumers and the construction industry. However, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment has announced that the temporary permit to import cement by land will expire on February 1, 2026, when the excise tax will revert to 180 Dalasi per bag.
In the face of this policy shift, the association expressed deep concern. The Association noted that since the resumption of trade, its members had adhered to the commitment to stabilize prices and prevent supply shortages, and stressed that competition, not monopoly, was truly in the interest of Gambian consumers. The association also mentioned that many importers that had been forced to suspend operations during the previous import ban had not yet fully resumed operations, and that recent policy changes had helped to restore the livelihood sources of workers, mobile vendors and small retailers.
Cement plays a key role in the construction industry, and its supply situation has a knock-on effect on related building materials industries such as ceramic tile, paint, wood and hardware. The association warned that any interruption in cement supply would affect the value creation of the entire construction industry chain.
The Association called on the Government to review the policy, citing the improvement in the market over the past month and the economic difficulties experienced by the Gambian population over the past year. According to the association, the price of cement has been reduced from 600 to 700 dalasis per bag to the wholesale price of 385 to 390 dalasis per bag in Farafenni district and about 400 dalasis in Banjul district, which is mainly attributed to the increased competition in the market. The association refuted claims
that cement imports from Senegal would have a negative impact on the exchange rate. The association pointed out that during the period of import restrictions, the exchange rate of the West African franc against Dalasi had exceeded 600, but it was even higher. The Association acknowledged that all cement imports required foreign exchange, but stressed that these imports did not have a destabilizing effect on the exchange rate. The association warned that the restoration of a high consumption tax would offset recent gains and ultimately increase the burden on consumers.
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