The Gambia Standards Bureau (TGSB), in collaboration with its partners, conducted a High-level Awareness and Capacity-building Workshop on Halal Standards and Quality Infrastructure in The Gambia on Monday, 1st June 2026.
The event was themed “Fostering a Sustainable and Internationally Recognized National Halal Quality Infrastructure in The Gambia”. The convergence aimed to explore opportunities for strengthening the country’s framework for Halal standardization, certification, accreditation, and international recognition, while positioning The Gambia to tap into the growing global Halal market.
H.E. Mr. İhsan Övüt, Secretary General of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), said that Halal consumption, repeatedly emphasized in the Holy Qur’an, “is a fundamental command of Allah (S.W.T.), and complying with this command constitutes an essential part of our faith.” He added that Halal consumption is not merely a matter of physical sustenance but also of spiritual well-being and ethical responsibility.
He pointed out that with technological advancements, globalization, and changing lifestyles, the concept of Halal has expanded far beyond food products. Today, Halal considerations extend to sectors such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tourism, logistics, and many other areas of daily life.
To meet these needs, he cited that “more than 300 Halal certification bodies operate worldwide. However, for many years, the absence of harmonized standards and the use of different criteria and guidelines created challenges for producers, consumers, regulators, and international trade.” He stressed that these challenges highlight the need for a professional and internationally recognized mechanism capable of developing harmonized Halal standards that reflect the interests and expectations of the Muslim Ummah.
In his keynote address, the Director General of TGSB, Mr. Papa Secka, said that for a Muslim-majority nation, “building Halal infrastructure is not merely an economic strategy. It is a duty of amānah, of trust.” He underscored, “To eat ḥalālan ṭayyiban, lawful and wholesome, is a command, not preference. When we strengthen this infrastructure, we are not only chasing 2.3 trillion dollars.”
In his view, building the infrastructure in The Gambia means “we are discharging a responsibility our scholars carried for centuries, in a form fit for the century we now live in.”
Mr. Secka reported that TGSB has been a member of SMIIC since 2012, during which time they adopted OIC and SMIIC standards and certification schemes. He added that they have also established a Halal Technical Committee, developed a Halal Certification Application Form and its documentary requirements, and begun the patient, unglamorous work of writing certification rules for agricultural commodities such as fresh tomato, chili pepper, rice, maize, and onion, anchored to ISO/IEC 17065, Codex, and ECOWAS market-access frameworks.
He emphasized that given the country’s position and journey in building this infrastructure, “we need not reinvent the wheel because we are not an island,” adding that many countries within and outside of the OIC have built and continue to improve such infrastructure.
“The global Halal economy is valued at some 2.3 trillion US dollars, spanning seven sectors, namely food and beverage, consumer goods, Islamic finance, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, Halal logistics, and travel and tourism (Azam & Abdullah, 2021),” said Mr. Secka.
While urging ministers and lawmakers to give the infrastructure a legal spine to ensure its enforceability, he called on universities and the Supreme Islamic Council to help close the gap created by the absence of formal Halal education.
Mr. Mod K. Ceesay, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, said that “the global Halal sector is an attractive economic niche in its own right. This global market was worth USD 2.5 trillion in 2025, and is expected to grow to USD 3.5 trillion by 2028.”
He explained that this projected growth is underlined by demographic trends, economic transformation, and technological developments, which combine to increase global demand for Halal goods and services in the years ahead.
Consequently, he said the Halal industry has created opportunities for OIC countries and the wider global marketplace not only economically but also in overall socio-economic development. He noted that the industry cuts across high-priority sectors ranging from food to tourism, finance, lifestyle, media, entertainment, fashion, and health.
In addition, he said increased global awareness on issues like sustainability, ethical consumption, green growth, and digitalization has contributed to the development of the Halal industry globally.
“The significance of this niche market has motivated a number of local, regional, and international brands to develop products and services to cater to the needs of the market,” he said.
He assured that the Ministry would continue its support for the successful setup of a Halal Certification Body within the Bureau.
As such, he stated that the workshop jointly organized by TGSB and SMIIC is expected to kickstart the much-needed awareness and understanding of Halal issues necessary for stakeholder buy-in and ownership.
The Ministry, he added, will help address capacity challenges and enhance implementation of the required elements of Halal infrastructure at the national level.
Through this workshop, participants seek not only to raise awareness about OIC/SMIIC Halal standards and quality infrastructure but also to equip national experts and stakeholders with the knowledge necessary to support their implementation.
