Essentials
- City
- Abuko, Kanifing District, The Gambia
- Population
- Approximately 12,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 5-15 Mbps; 4G/LTE is more reliable than fiber. Use QCell or Africell.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 68 GMD (Gambian Dalasi). Most transactions are in Dalasi.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Bottled water (e.g., Aquaview) costs 25 GMD per 1.5L.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (UK standard). Frequent power outages; backups recommended.
- SIM Card
- QCell or Africell. 5GB data bundle costs roughly 450 GMD ($7).
- Banking for Expats
- Ecobank, Standard Chartered, and GTBank. Credit cards rarely accepted except in major hotels.
- Accommodation
- Limited boutique lodges and guesthouses. Prices range from $25 to $70/night.
- Cashless Friendly
- No, heavily cash-reliant except in large supermarkets in nearby Serrekunda.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options in neighboring Bijilo or Serrekunda; roughly $400-$800/month.
- Budget Accommodation
- Abuko Nature Reserve Lodge. Basic rooms from approx. 1,200 GMD/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Near the Abuko Nature Reserve entrance for wildlife access.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Serrekunda or Senegambia Area (15 mins away) for better Wi-Fi and amenities.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Hub Gambia (located in Bakau, approx. 20 mins from Abuko). Membership from 3,000 GMD/month.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Gaya Art Cafe (Senegambia). Quiet atmosphere and decent Wi-Fi.
- Networking Events
- Startup Grind Banjul events, held occasionally at the Gambia Chamber of Commerce.
- Social Events for Expats
- The 'Expats in the Gambia' Facebook group meetups at Poco Loco (Bakau).
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps. Use 'Green Taxis' for tourists or yellow shared taxis for locals (15-50 GMD).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Green Shop Bike Rentals in Senegambia; approx. 350 GMD/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Kotu Beach (approx. 20-minute drive).
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Peace or ASKY Airlines (via Banjul International Airport - BJL).
- Top International Airline
- Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines, or Royal Air Maroc.
- Highway Access
- Positioned directly off the South Bank Road, the main artery connecting Banjul and Brikama.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. Serrekunda Westfield is the main bush-taxi and van hub.
- Public Transport Passes
- None. Pay-per-trip in shared vans (Gelli-Gellis).
- Regional Travel
- Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC) buses for long distances to Basse or Senegal.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Afrimed Clinic in Brufut or Medicare Clinic in Senegambia (Private, reliable for expats).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Kula Yoga at Ngala Lodge (Fajara). Approx 500 GMD per class.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- QCity Sport Complex (Bijilo). Modern equipment, approx. 2,500 GMD/month.
- Laundry Services
- Local 'Dhobi' services are common and cheap (200 GMD for a large bag).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None officially. Use independent delivery drivers via WhatsApp from local restaurants.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Domoda (Peanut stew with rice). Approx 150 GMD at local cookshops.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Calypso Beach Bar (Bakau) offers extensive salads and veggie platters.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Banjul Ice Cream (Senegambia Area). Scoops for approx 100 GMD.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Abuko Market for fresh produce; Serrekunda Market for everything else.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Limited. Most people use 'Gambia E-commerce' or Facebook Marketplace.
- Grocery Delivery
- Maroun’s Supermarket (via phone/WhatsApp order in Senegambia area).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Senegambia Strip (15-20 mins away).
- Local Brewery
- Banjul Breweries (JulBrew Beer). Ubiquitous in bars/shops.
- Wine Bars
- Vino (Senegambia). European wine selections.
- Street Food Stalls
- Westfield Junction for Afra (Grilled meat). Approx 200 GMD per portion.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Luigi's Italian (Senegambia) for pizza and pasta.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Abuko Nature Reserve ($1 entrance fee for locals, $3 for tourists).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Tanje Village Museum (approx. 25 min drive). History of Gambian life.
- Historical Sites
- Arch 22 in Banjul (20 min drive north).
- Religious Sites
- Banjul Central Mosque; Abuko Local Mosques.
- Annual Events
- Kartong Festival (Traditional music and dance, usually January/February).
- Cultural Districts
- Bakau Craft Market for local woodcarvings and batik.
- Theater Venues
- Ebunjang Theatre in Kanifing for local plays and drumming.
- Local Markets
- Abuko Livestock Market (The Gambia’s largest area for cattle trading).
- Music Scene
- Kora music performances frequent at the larger hotels in nearby Kotu/Bakau.
- Street Art
- Wide Open Walls project (Murals found in rural villages nearby like Kubuneh).
- Cooking Classes
- Ida's Home Cooking Experience (Tanji). Approx. $50 for a full day.
- Art Galleries
- Tunbung Art Gallery (Kotu).
- Historic Buildings
- National Assembly Building in Banjul.
- Local Heritage
- Griot culture and the oral history of the Mandinka and Wolof people.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lamin Lodge (Oyster creek boat trips, 10 min drive).
- National Parks Nearby
- Tanji Bird Reserve and Bijilo Forest Park (Monkey Park).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Unpaved trails within Abuko Nature Reserve.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Lamin Lodge overlooking the mangrove swamps.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Abuko is the country’s birding hotspot with over 250 species recorded.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Sanyang Beach (35 min drive) is famous for beach fires and Sunday BBQs.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Gambia Post (Gampost) or DHL (Kairaba Avenue).
- Tech Repair Services
- Serrekunda Market tech stalls for mobile/laptop hardware issues.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Independence Stadium (Bakau) sports facilities.
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française Banjul for French/Wolof lessons.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The Gambia National Library (Banjul).
- Community Centers
- TANGO (The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations) in Kanifing.
- Gaming Lounges
- QCity has a small arcade and gaming section.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Kololi Casino (Senegambia Strip).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $20,000). Prices fluctuate wildly based on leasehold terms.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $300 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $12,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $450 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $27,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $250 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $15,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $32,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $220 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $17,600).
- Corporate Tax
- 27% or 1% of turnover, whichever is higher.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents; The Gambia has a source-based system for non-residents.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% (On income over 50,000 GMD).
- VAT
- 15%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC legislation currently in place.
- Property Tax
- Yes, local municipal rates apply, usually calculated on annual rental value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Capital Gains Tax of 5%-10% on property sales.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; standard business visas apply. Enforcement on remote foreign income is minimal.