Coalition 2026 Unveils 66-Point Manifesto, Pledges to End Poverty in The Gambia

Coalition 2026 has unveiled a 66-point development agenda for The Gambia, promising sweeping reforms in governance, human development and economic management, with a commitment to ending all forms of poverty within 10 years if elected into office.

The coalition’s flag bearer, Talib Bensouda, presented the manifesto at the Atlantic Hotel in Banjul on Thursday, 22 October 2026, outlining a programme intended to address the country’s economic difficulties, youth unemployment, agricultural challenges and demands for improved public services.

The document, titled The Gambia We Deserve, sets out 66 priority actions that the coalition says it intends to implement within five years of assuming office. The announcement comes ahead of The Gambia’s presidential election scheduled for 5 December 2026.

Bensouda said the manifesto was designed to respond to the everyday concerns of Gambians, including the rising cost of living, limited economic opportunities for young people, difficulties confronting farmers and businesses, and the need for reliable electricity, clean water, quality healthcare and improved security.

He argued that the country needed leadership capable of converting its available resources and human potential into tangible improvements in people’s lives.

Why Coalition 2026 Chose 66 Priority Actions

According to Bensouda, the coalition initially identified 65 priority actions before adding a commitment to appoint people with backgrounds in Islamic studies to diplomatic missions in Islamic countries.

The number subsequently acquired symbolic significance because The Gambia will mark the 66th anniversary of its independence in 2031.

The coalition says it intends to complete all 66 actions within five years of assuming office, aligning its proposed delivery deadline with the country’s independence anniversary.

The approach gives the manifesto a defined numerical target and a proposed implementation period. However, the extent to which the coalition could achieve its objectives would depend on policy design, funding, administrative capacity and the cooperation of relevant institutions.

The manifesto therefore places considerable emphasis on the relationship between political commitments and measurable outcomes.

Three Pillars of the Manifesto

Coalition 2026 has organised its programme around three principal pillars: governance and trust, human development, and economic integrity.

The coalition has summarised these priorities through three broad commitments: trust, people and prosperity.

1. Governance and Trust

The governance pillar focuses on the relationship between public institutions and citizens, with an emphasis on trust, accountability and the effective management of national affairs.

One of the proposals highlighted in coverage of the manifesto is a constitutional review process, including a proposed referendum within two years.

Constitutional reform can have far-reaching implications for the distribution of political authority, institutional accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights. Its success would depend on the substance of the proposed amendments, public participation and compliance with the country’s constitutional procedures.

The coalition’s broader governance commitments will also require clear implementation arrangements if its promises are to translate into measurable institutional changes.

2. Human Development

The second pillar focuses on improving people’s welfare and expanding access to essential services.

Among the proposals reported at the manifesto launch is a commitment to increase health expenditure to 15 per cent of the national budget.

If implemented, the proposal could create opportunities to strengthen healthcare funding. Its practical effect, however, would depend on the size of the national budget, how resources are allocated and whether additional spending improves access to services, staffing, medical supplies and healthcare facilities.

The coalition has also identified the challenges facing young people, farmers and families as important issues requiring attention.

Addressing these concerns would involve coordinated policies on education, skills development, employment, agricultural productivity and access to essential public services.

3. Economic Integrity and Prosperity

The economic pillar focuses on creating opportunities for businesses, supporting productive activities and improving living standards.

One of the proposals associated with the manifesto is the establishment of a National Development Bank to support job creation and economic growth.

Development banks can provide financing for businesses and sectors that struggle to obtain affordable credit from conventional financial institutions. Their effectiveness depends on sound lending standards, transparent governance, responsible management and the ability to support commercially viable projects.

For Gambian entrepreneurs and small businesses, access to finance could help expand production, create employment and improve the capacity of local enterprises to compete in domestic markets.

Nevertheless, the proposed bank’s contribution would depend on its funding arrangements, eligibility requirements, lending priorities and safeguards against financial mismanagement.

The coalition has also pledged to move The Gambia towards middle-income status within 10 years while ending all forms of poverty over the same period.

These are ambitious objectives that would require sustained economic growth, effective public investment, productive employment and policies capable of reaching vulnerable households.

Cost of Living and Youth Unemployment Remain Key Concerns

Bensouda identified the cost of living as one of the major pressures facing Gambian families.

Rising household expenses can reduce the purchasing power of workers, increase the difficulties faced by low-income households and limit the resources available for education, healthcare and business investment.

Young people seeking meaningful employment also remain a central concern in the coalition’s policy agenda.

Expanding employment opportunities would require more than announcing new programmes. It would involve supporting businesses that can hire workers, strengthening vocational and technical education, improving access to finance and creating an environment in which productive enterprises can grow.

Farmers also face challenges that affect their ability to increase production and earn sustainable incomes. Measures addressing agricultural financing, infrastructure, access to markets and production costs could therefore form an important part of any wider economic development programme.

The coalition’s manifesto places these issues within a broader commitment to prosperity, although the effectiveness of the proposed measures will ultimately depend on implementation.

Coalition 2026 Targets Poverty Reduction Within 10 Years

One of the most significant commitments in the manifesto is the promise to end all forms of poverty in The Gambia within 10 years if the coalition wins the election.

Bensouda also said the coalition aimed to move the country towards middle-income status over the same period.

Achieving these objectives would require a clear definition of the poverty measures to be used, reliable economic and household data, and a system for tracking progress across different communities.

It would also require policies capable of creating sustainable employment, improving household incomes and ensuring that economic growth translates into better living conditions.

A credible implementation framework would need to establish measurable indicators, identify the resources required for each programme and explain how progress would be monitored.

The coalition’s proposed 66-point action plan provides a framework for its stated priorities. The next question is how those commitments would be translated into funded programmes with clear responsibilities and timelines.

What the Manifesto Could Mean for Gambians

The manifesto places several issues affecting ordinary citizens at the centre of its proposed development programme.

For families, the emphasis on poverty reduction and essential services raises questions about household purchasing power, healthcare access and the quality of public infrastructure.

For young people, the focus on economic growth and employment highlights the importance of opportunities to acquire skills, establish businesses and secure productive work.

For farmers and entrepreneurs, the proposed economic measures raise the prospect of improved access to finance and stronger support for productive activities.

For public institutions, the governance proposals place attention on accountability, constitutional reform and the delivery of measurable results.

However, these remain policy commitments presented by a political coalition seeking electoral support. Their eventual impact would depend on the coalition’s electoral success, the details of its policies and its ability to implement them within the proposed timeframe.

Voters and other stakeholders would also need to consider the estimated costs, funding sources, implementation sequence and monitoring arrangements associated with the 66 actions.

The Road to 2031

Coalition 2026 has presented its manifesto as a programme for national transformation, with 2031 serving as the target year for completing its 66 priority actions.

The coalition’s proposed timetable connects its policy agenda to The Gambia’s 66th independence anniversary and provides a reference point against which its stated commitments could be assessed.

If the coalition enters government, the implementation of its proposals would require coordination across ministries, public agencies and other institutions. Regular progress reports would also be important in helping citizens determine whether promised reforms were being delivered.

The proposed constitutional review, increased health spending, establishment of a National Development Bank and wider poverty-reduction objectives represent different policy challenges, each requiring its own funding, legal arrangements and delivery mechanisms.

Ultimately, the significance of the manifesto will depend on whether its commitments can be translated into practical improvements in employment, public services, economic opportunities and household welfare.

For now, Coalition 2026 has placed its 66-point agenda before Gambians as part of its preparations for the December 2026 presidential election. The proposed programme sets out the coalition’s priorities, while its feasibility and potential results remain matters for public scrutiny and, if elected, implementation.