By: Fatoumatta Krubally
Gambian manufacturers have expressed their disapproval over what, they called, the unofficial levy imposed on Gambian manufactured goods by border officials, arguing that the move is inimical to cross-border trade.
The local manufacturers said the “illegal” tariffs are increasing the cost of cross-border trade between The Gambia and Senegal.
Businessman and member of the Association of Gambian Manufacturers (AGM), Saidou Baldeh, lamented that the major challenge that Gambian manufacturers face is illegal fees that Senegalese border officials charge on goods transiting from The Gambia.
“We are forced to pay an amount of money without receiving a receipt, which is not in accordance with any law. It is only after paying the amount demanded that we will be allowed into Senegal,” he bemoaned.
According to Mr. Baldeh, the fee widely recognized in ECOWAS is 75,000 CFA for transit but said the Senegalese customs officials have been compelling them to pay 300,000CFA with no receipts issued to them.
He stressed that the Gambian manufacturers are slapped withadditional charges despite the hefty transit fee because they are not being escorted as required by the ECOWAS Charter, adding that money has to change hands at every checkpoint they reach to enable them to continue with their journey.
According to him, customs officials demand 5,000 CFA at each checkpoint while the Gendarmerie checkpoints also demand 2,000 CFA, emphasizing that these costs significantlyimpact their businesses compounded by the challenges they must overcome before reaching their destination.
For his part, the President of the Association of Gambian Manufacturers, Farimang Saho, stressed the need for the intervention of the government and ECOWAS in the issue,underlining that Senegal must comply or else the problems of cross-border trade will persist.
He stated that the concept of Africa Free Trade Area should be first demonstrated between The Gambia and Senegal.
Mr. Saho said Gambian manufacturers have not benefited from the concept of ‘Free movement of Goods’ since the establishment of ECOWAS in 1975 and expressed fears thatthe Africa Free Trade Area will suffer similar fate if Senegal does not comply with the agreements. He enumerated the obvious economic benefits that the two countries can achieve by working together more closely.
“Thousands of Gambians, including women selling vegetables, can trade in Senegal and vice versa even without involving Mali—just between The Gambia and Senegal,” he stated.
“So anything we discuss should be demonstrated first and then we can talk about other countries. Is that free movement between the two countries happening?” added Saho.
It must be noted that the challenges faced by Gambian traders in their efforts to transport goods through Senegal highlight a pressing issue that not only affects their livelihoods but also raises concerns about fairness and legality in cross-border trade among ECOWAS member States. The increased costs and lack of transparency in payments create significant barriers, ultimately impacting the efficiency of their operations and the broader economic landscape. Addressing these issues is crucial for fostering a more equitable trading environment in the sub-region.