Wise Logo
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a trusted money transfer service used by millions of digital nomads worldwide.

Save on international money transfers.

Affiliate disclosure

Banjul, Gambia 🇬🇲
#1092 ,

Nomad Score: 47%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
71% Weight: 150
Generally affordable compared to Western standards, though prices can be higher than other West African cities due to import reliance.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
63% Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate but limited supply of quality housing can push costs up in central areas.
🍎 Food & Groceries
78% Weight: 40
Local markets offer inexpensive fresh produce; imported goods are pricier but overall food costs remain reasonable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
85% Weight: 20
Public transport and shared taxis are very cheap, making daily commuting affordable.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
52% Weight: 15
Limited entertainment options; nightlife and cultural events exist but are not extensive or highly commercialized.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
41% Weight: 10
Few gyms available, often with basic facilities; prices vary but generally affordable.
💱 Currency Stability
56% Weight: 30
The Gambian dalasi has moderate volatility; inflation is controlled but economic factors can cause fluctuations.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
37% Weight: 100
Internet is available but speeds are slow and inconsistent; fiber is rare and mobile data is more common.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
12% Weight: 40
Very limited to no dedicated coworking spaces; most nomads rely on cafes or hotels.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
34% Weight: 30
Few cafes offer WiFi; connection quality is often poor and unreliable.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
21% Weight: 30
Limited options for cafes catering specifically to digital nomads.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
10% Weight: 100
Banjul is not a known digital nomad hub and sees very few remote workers.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60% Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with a slower pace, but limited professional infrastructure can impact productivity.
🌳 Environmental Quality
55% Weight: 15
Moderate pollution levels; coastal location offers fresh air but urban areas have waste management challenges.
🧼 Cleanliness
43% Weight: 10
City cleanliness is inconsistent; litter and waste disposal are ongoing issues.
🗨️ Language Barrier
79% Weight: 30
English is the official language, easing communication for many international visitors.
💨 Air Quality
50% Weight: 15
Air quality is average; dust and vehicle emissions affect urban areas.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
32% Weight: 20
Healthcare facilities are basic; serious medical issues require travel abroad.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
70% Weight: 25
Medical services are affordable but limited in quality and availability.
🏥 Healthcare
35% Weight: 20
Overall healthcare infrastructure is underdeveloped for expats and nomads.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
87% Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; dry season is pleasant and sunny.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
78% Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional flooding during rainy season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
40% Weight: 10
Limited public parks and green areas within the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
55% Weight: 15
Air conditioning is available in hotels and some offices but not widespread.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
20% Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; tropical climate with wet and dry seasons only.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
68% Weight: 20
Rich Gambian culture with music, dance, and festivals; smaller city with authentic local experiences.
🌃 Nightlife
30% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly small bars and occasional live music.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
65% Weight: 15
Proximity to beaches and nature reserves offers outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
50% Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools but opportunities to learn local languages informally.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
62% Weight: 10
Some cultural tours and local experiences available, though not highly developed.
🎳 Indoors Fun
35% Weight: 10
Few indoor entertainment venues; limited cinemas or cultural centers.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
67% Weight: 25
Good variety of local West African cuisine; limited international options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
10% Weight: 10
Yoga studios are virtually nonexistent.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
30% Weight: 15
Few gyms and fitness centers with basic equipment.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
55% Weight: 15
Fresh produce is available but processed healthy foods are limited.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
74% Weight: 20
GMT timezone is convenient for European and African clients but less so for Americas or Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
20% Weight: 25
Very limited professional networking events for digital nomads.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
30% Weight: 20
Local job market is small; most remote work depends on external clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
25% Weight: 20
Minimal local freelance community or support structures.
🏢 Coworking Quality
10% Weight: 30
No dedicated coworking spaces; makeshift setups lack amenities.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
20% Weight: 15
Emerging but very small startup ecosystem.
💳 Local Payment Services
40% Weight: 10
Mobile money services exist but are not widespread or fully integrated.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
15% Weight: 15
Very low adoption and awareness of blockchain or crypto technologies.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
42% Weight: 30
Banjul International Airport has limited direct international flights; mostly regional connections.
🚇 Public Transit
55% Weight: 20
Informal minibuses and shared taxis serve as public transit; no formal system.
🚶 Walkability
50% Weight: 20
City is small and walkable in parts but infrastructure is basic.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
10% Weight: 15
No major ride-sharing apps operating; reliance on taxis and shared transport.
🚲 Cycling
25% Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; some locals use bikes but not common for commuting.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
50% Weight: 15
Buses and shared taxis connect to other Gambian towns and Senegal; options are basic.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
10% Weight: 10
No formal scooter or bike rental services.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
60% Weight: 20
Mobile coverage is decent in urban areas; 3G/4G available but speeds vary.
🔒 VPN Reliability
50% Weight: 20
VPNs generally work but occasional connectivity issues occur.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
38% Weight: 15
Frequent power outages and voltage fluctuations are common.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
20% Weight: 10
Public WiFi is rare and often unreliable.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
65% Weight: 40
Visa on arrival available for many nationalities; straightforward process.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50% Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; limited digital nomad-specific tax policies.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
60% Weight: 15
Generally free but some restrictions and government scrutiny exist.
🏛️ Political Stability
62% Weight: 20
Relatively stable compared to regional neighbors but occasional tensions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
40% Weight: 15
Banking bureaucracy can be slow; requires local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
45% Weight: 10
Process is possible but can be lengthy and complex.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa program available.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
20% Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
10% Weight: 25
No known regular nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
25% Weight: 20
Very small online presence or forums related to Banjul for nomads.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
60% Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime but petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
40% Weight: 50
Cultural norms can be conservative; women should exercise caution especially at night.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70% Weight: 50
Generally tolerant and welcoming to foreigners, though some cultural differences exist.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.