By: Fatou Krubally
The cost of acquiring a biometric passport in The Gambia will rise by over 67% beginning 1 May 2025, a decision that has stirred frustration and sparked public outcry across the country.
According to the Gambia Immigration Department (GID), the processing fee will be increased from D3,060 to D5,100, following cabinet approval and a directive from the Ministry of Interior. The new cost includes D100 for the application form and D5,000 for the passport booklet.
The adjustment, the GID said, is based on contractual obligations tied to 2013 concession agreement between the government and Africard Gambia Ltd., specifically Addendum No. 1, Article 5.7.1(d).
However, the announcement has not gone down well with many Gambians. Speaking to The Voice Newspaper, citizens expressed deep concern over the affordability, timing, and broader implications of the hike in passport fees.
“My salary is less than DD5,100, so how can I even afford a passport?” asked Ebrima Jallow, a young graduate in Bundung. “It’s too much.”
Others questioned the value of the service. “The passport machine at the Banjul office has been out of service for weeks,” said Awa Sowe, a mother of two. “Even with this new amount, it still will take nearly a year to get a passport.”
Some critics also pointed to the lack of transparency. “This is yet another slap in the face of ordinary Gambians,” remarked Fatou Njie. “No clear justification, just another burden on a struggling population.”
Some people have called for reforms, with many urging authorities to extend the passport validity from five to ten years if fees are nearly doubling up.
As food prices soar, unemployment remains high, and basic services deteriorate, many see the new passport fee as yet another strain. “Since 2016, nothing has gone down -NAWEC bills, cost of a bag of rice, ferry fares, and now this,” lamented one of our interviewees. “Where’s the relief?”
While the GID assures efficiency and commitment, the broader question remains: can Gambians afford the cost of identity in their own country?
