Gambia's Bank Staff Directive Puts 57 Nigerian Jobs at Risk as FG, NiDCOM Intervene

The Federal Government has expressed concern over a directive by The Gambia ordering commercial banks to replace foreign employees with qualified Gambian nationals. It urged The Gambia to reconsider the directive and engage relevant stakeholders for an equitable resolution. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission said 57 Nigerian professionals working in four Nigerian-owned banks could be affected.

NiDCOM said the circular was dated September 16, 2026 and issued by the Central Bank of The Gambia. It gives banks until December 31, 2026 to complete the transition. The commission described the development as deeply worrisome and asked the Gambian central bank to reconsider the policy.

What The Gambia Has Directed

The Central Bank of The Gambia said the directive followed an industry-wide review. The review uncovered a relatively high number of non-Gambian employees working in the banking sector outside recognised expatriate arrangements. The regulator said the situation was inconsistent with The Gambia's Labour Act 2023 and Guideline 9, which governs the employment of expatriate staff by banks.

It directed financial institutions to adopt a phased approach to replacing affected foreign workers with qualified Gambian nationals. The banks are also required to ensure skills transfer and uninterrupted operations.

NiDCOM's Case for Nigerian Banks

NiDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said information available to the commission indicated that 57 Nigerian professionals across four Nigerian-origin banks could be affected. The banks are Access Bank, FirstBank, Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank.

She said the affected employees reportedly hold valid residency and work permits. They have also made significant contributions to the Gambian banking sector.

Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged The Gambia's right to develop local capacity. She argued, however, that such policies should be implemented fairly, respect legitimate work authorisations and reflect the principles of African solidarity and regional integration. She questioned how the employment restrictions aligned with efforts to promote African investment and the free movement of people across the continent.

NiDCOM also highlighted the contribution of the four banks to The Gambia's financial sector. Together, the institutions account for about 37.2% of total deposits, valued at 35.3 billion Gambian dalasi. They hold 32.6% of industry loans worth 7.67 billion dalasi. They also hold roughly 37% of total banking assets, valued at 44.78 billion dalasi, and approximately 34.5% of investments in Central Bank bonds. The commission said the banks reportedly fund about 90% of the operations of the National Water and Electricity Company.

What NiDCOM Wants

NiDCOM urged the Central Bank of The Gambia to engage the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul, the affected banks and other stakeholders to reach a fair resolution. It also appealed to Gambian authorities to respect the principles of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the longstanding relationship between both countries.

The commission said constructive engagement was necessary to protect Nigerian workers while strengthening economic cooperation between Nigeria and The Gambia. For Nigerian banks with regional operations, the directive raises regulatory and staffing risks in a market where the four lenders control significant deposits, loans and assets.

Zenith Bank's Paris Branch

In a separate update, Zenith Bank Plc said it launched a new branch in Paris, France. The tier-1 bank described the commissioning as a critical milestone in its global growth plan and a commitment to serving customers in the European region. It said the branch opening followed final approval by France's Autorite de Controle Prudentiel et de Resolution (ACPR) in September this year.