On Thursday, 4 June 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will host a landmark gathering of policymakers, diplomats, academics, and civil society leaders at its headquarters on Marina Parade. The Eighteenth Technical Roundtable (TR18), organised by GK Partners (GKP), MOFA, and the Centre for Research and Policy Development (CRPD), in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), will focus on one of the most pressing issues in Gambian public life: migration to Europe.
The theme of the roundtable, “Data on Gambian Migration to Europe: Evidence, Knowledge Gaps and Policy Options”, reflects growing recognition that migration governance must be grounded in facts rather than perceptions.
A Decade of Migration Challenges
Migration has shaped Gambian households, youth aspirations, and national development trajectories for decades. Yet, public discourse remains dominated by anecdotal stories, fragmented media coverage, and sensationalised accounts of irregular journeys and deportations.
This has left critical aspects—such as destination patterns, legal status, labour market outcomes, and the scale of deportations—frequently misunderstood. TR18 seeks to address these gaps by bringing together evidence from recent studies and ongoing research.
Evidence on the Table
Participants will review findings from a wide range of sources, including:
- Statistical Brief on Gambians in Germany and the EU (University of Osnabrück, 2025)
- Demographic and Socioeconomic Profile of Gambians in Spain (GK Partners, 2026)
- Gambian Diaspora and the Census (GBoS, 2024)
- Data on Missing Migrants and Irregular Maritime Journeys (IOM, GID, 2021–2026)
- Profiles of Gambians in the UK and US (GK Partners, 2020; C. Omar Kebbeh, 2020)
These studies will serve as the foundation for discussions on national migration data priorities, collaboration on ongoing data collection, and evidence-based policy recommendations.
Global Commitments, Local Action
The roundtable comes just weeks after The Gambia’s delegation, led by Foreign Minister Hon. Sering Modou Njie, participated in the UN International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) in New York. The country submitted its National Voluntary Review on the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), which emphasises the need for accurate, disaggregated data to inform policy.
TR18 is part of the follow-up process, ensuring that The Gambia aligns its national strategies with global commitments while addressing local realities.
Who Will Participate
The roundtable will convene:
- Senior officials from MOFA, Ministry of Interior, Gambia Immigration Department, GBoS, and NAATIP
- Ambassadors and technical experts from Germany, Spain, the EU, and the UK
- Representatives of international partners including IOM, World Bank, UNDP, ENABEL, and GIZ
- Academics, youth leaders, and civil society organisations such as UTG, NYC, TANGO, and GPU
Looking Ahead
The Technical Roundtables, launched in 2018 under the Migration and Sustainable Development Gambia (MSDG) project, have become a trusted forum for expert deliberation. Over 200 development interventions have been implemented since 2017, underscoring the diaspora-led initiative’s impact.
TR18 is expected to produce concrete action points on:
- Establishing a common understanding of national migration data priorities
- Strengthening collaboration on data collection and reporting
- Addressing knowledge gaps with evidence-based recommendations
- Enhancing public understanding of migration realities
By convening diverse stakeholders, the roundtable underscores The Gambia’s commitment to balancing national priorities with international cooperation, while ensuring that migration governance is informed by facts rather than perceptions.
