Sultan Abdourahman Almarshad and President Barrow

President Barrow Secures Fresh Saudi Development Support as 50km OIC Road Project Enters Final Phase

01/09/2026 Askan Bii

His Excellency President Barrow today received the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), Sultan Abdourahman Almarshad and his delegation at the State House in Banjul.

CEO Almarshad briefed President Barrow on the signing of the agreement for the final phase of the 50-kilometre OIC road projects.

Recalling the longstanding cooperation with The Gambia since 1977, CEO Almarshad assured President Barrow of SFD’s commitment to supporting The Gambia’s development agenda.

Comparing his first visit to The Gambia in 2021 with the latest in 2026, he said he has seen remarkable transformations in The Gambia under the Barrow leadership. This has inspired the Saudi Fund to welcome proposals for modern drainage systems, payment systems, submarine cables, telemedicine, sports and other ideas that are of high priority to The Gambia.

In welcoming CEO Almarshad and team, President Barrow extolled the Saudi Fund for Development as a reliable partner of The Gambia. “The OIC meeting is over, but the legacy projects across The Gambia will outlive all of us. The impacts of the OIC roads are visible with massive investments in continental building along the new highway and construction of new hotels.” President Barrow affirms. Beyond the real estate investments, the OIC roads have reduced travel time for commuters from 2 hours to 25 minutes, with various paved access roads that have reduced traffic congestion and flooding.

Before 2017, The Gambia had only about 800 kilometres of paved roads. From 2017 to date, under President Barrow, at least 1,500 kilometres of tarred roads have been built, and development approval is granted for an additional 1,200 kilometres across The Gambia beyond 2026.

The Gambian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mambury Njie, the Ministers of Finance, Seedy Keita and Works, Ebrima Sillah and their respective senior officials accompanied CEO Sultan Abdurahman Almarshad to State House.