About the Migration Governance Indicators
About the Migration Governance Indicators
Migrants' rights
Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach
Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships
Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants
Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises
Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration
Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

Key findings
Introduction

This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of The Republic of the Gambia (hereafter referred to as the Gambia) migration governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Funding is provided by IOM Member States. 

Key findings
Migrants' rights

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Regardless of their migratory status, migrants have equal access to Government-funded health care as citizens.
  • The Gambia allows the portability of social security benefits for migrants and permanent residents from any country that recognizes the right to transfer pensions to and from the Gambia.
  • Non-nationals may apply for Gambian citizenship once they meet standard criteria.

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • Only non-nationals with “special immigration status” can be joined by their dependents.
  • Existing legislation does not outline a path to permanent residency.
Key findings
Whole of government approach

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The National Migration Policy (NMP) provides a framework for migration management, better coordination and definition of the responsibilities of stakeholders.
  • The National Coordination Mechanism for Migration (NCM) acts as a central platform to discuss migration issues and oversee the implementation of the NMP.
  • The Gambia Bureau of Statistics regularly collects and publishes migration data through national surveys.

Areas with potential for further development:

  • Limited information is publicly available with regards to migration regulations and frameworks in the country.
Key findings
Partnerships

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Gambia participates in the Migration Dialogue for West Africa (MIDWA).
  • The country has signed the Treaty of ECOWAS, which contains provisions for the free movement of people between its member States. 
  • The Gambia has signed several bilateral cooperation agreements related to curbing irregular migration, counter-trafficking and border management training. 

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • The Gambia only engages civil society organizations in agenda-setting and implementation of migration-related initiatives on an ad hoc basis.
  • The Gambia only engages members of its diaspora in the elaboration of development policy on an ad hoc basis.
Key findings
Well-being of migrants

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Gambia Labour Force Survey compiles statistics on regular and informal employment and considers the impact of emigrants on the domestic labour market.
  • The National Migration Policy aims to improve nationwide services for vulnerable migrant women and to conduct a gender analysis leading to better working conditions.
  • The country considers migrant workers’ skills when deciding whether to admit them.

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • There is no national assessment for monitoring the labour market demand for immigrants.
  • The Gambia is not actively involved in promoting the creation of formal remittance schemes.
Key findings
Mobility dimensions of crises

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The National Disaster Management Agency integrates disaster risk reduction into sustainable development policies and aims for community participation at all levels.
  • The National Migration Policy includes strategies for responding to the impacts of climate change, particularly in relation to migrants.
  • The Gambia has contingency plans in place at both the national and local levels to manage large-scale population movements in times of crisis.

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • The country does not have a strategy with specific measures to provide assistance to non-nationals in crisis and post-crisis situations.
  • The Gambia’s early-warning systems do not take the specific vulnerabilities of migrants into account.
Key findings
Safe, orderly and regular migration

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) and the National Police coordinate the responsibilities for border control and security.
  • The Trafficking in Persons Act introduced penalties for trafficking crimes and outlines provisions regarding the protection of victims.
  • The National Development Plan (2018–2021) includes the implementation of programmes to facilitate the reintegration of returning young migrants into productive employment and society.

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • Border officials in the Gambia only receive training on an ad hoc basis.
  • There is no formal system overseeing the visa-issuance process in the Gambia.

2021 March

Migration Governance Profile: The Republic of the Gambia