A bottleneck study, R-SAT diagnostics value chain by value chain, the revival of the National SPS Committee and the first support applications assessed — Year 1 is delivering.
Launched in Banjul in April 2026, the SPRING programme (Sustainable Production for Resilient and Inclusive New Generations) is supporting The Gambia's horticultural sector over five years, with European Union funding. The targeted value chains combine export crops (mango, capsicum, groundnut), the domestic market (tomato, onion) and biofortified crops for nutrition (orange-fleshed sweet potato, iron-rich beans, cassava). Year 1 is dedicated to establishing the evidence base and mechanisms required to ensure that subsequent support is informed, targeted, and responsive to identified needs. Five workstreams structure that effort.
A sector-wide diagnostic
A bottleneck study is currently underway. Fieldwork is running from 21 August to 18 September 2026, followed by an in-person validation workshop on 21 September, with a first draft due on 1 October. Going beyond a simple inventory of constraints, the study analyses the causes and consequences of each bottleneck and assesses its importance and potential for resolution, providing a clear basis for prioritising interventions.
The National SPS Committee as the cornerstone of public-private dialogue
Rather than creating a new body, the programme builds on the existing National SPS Committee (NSPSC) as the national platform for public-private dialogue. Its revival was supported in collaboration with the World Bank- and Government-funded GIRAV project during World Food Safety Day celebrations in June 2026. As a follow-up in October, an in-depth assessment using the R-SAT (Rapid SPS Assessment Tool) methodology will inform an action plan to strengthen structured public-private dialogue led by the NSPSC.
Structured action plans to support value chains and laboratories
Three priority areas were selected for sanitary and phytosanitary diagnostics: the domestic market, exports and groundnuts. The domestic market R-SAT was completed in August and shared with its dedicated Technical Working Group (TWG) for validation on 19 September, ahead of presentation to the National SPS Committee in October. The export and groundnut R-SATs will follow on 19–23 October and 16–20 November, respectively. A laboratory assessment is also planned for November, complementing efforts to operationalise the National Laboratory supported by the EU-funded WACOMP programme. For each area, a dedicated TWG will guide the diagnostic and development of an action plan framing subsequent SPRING support.
Applications for support are coming in
The Application for Support (AFS) mechanism, opened at the launch event on 14 April, drew 153 expressions of interest, converted so far into more than 75 AFS. These include 117 MSMEs, 7 training institutions, 2 service providers, 12 smallholder support structures, 2 research institutions, 4 producer groups, 1 finance-based organisation, 3 competent authorities, 1 business membership organisation, 4 other organisations that do not fall in any of these categories. Following more than 50 meetings and company visits, 39 applications were reviewed by the Technical Committee in June and August. Five priorities consistently emerge: access to finance, by far the most frequently raised concern; water availability and irrigation management; human resources and expertise; post-harvest losses and market access; and climate-resilient practices. The first development plans are expected to be signed in the coming weeks.
A business community taking shape
The last workstream is the least formal and not the least important. A "SPRING partners" WhatsApp group, created in April, brings together 62 participants outside the COLEAD team, several of them co-opted by the first joiners. This is a result of two informal gatherings of COLEAD members or “members to be” that were held in April and June this year. The objective is to offer opportunities for entrepreneurs and MSMEs to connect, exchange ideas and explore business opportunities. Discussions around shared challenges have led to the revival of GAMHOPE, the horticultural sector’s professional body, currently led by an interim board tasked with organising elections.
Capacity-building opportunities
Among the activities launched in Year 1, two training initiatives are coming up:
- Training of Trainers – Capacity Building in Training and Communication Techniques. A Call for Expressions of Interest is open to experts and consultancy firms until 16 September 2026. Find out more and apply here.
- Demystifying Access to Finance for Horti- and Agri-projects & Introduction to Business Model Validation. An awareness session designed to walk agri-MSMEs through the access to finance journey, as well as help MSMEs understand how validating their business model strengthens their position with financiers. The workshop will be organised on 6 October.
Connecting needs, opportunities and partnerships
The programme will actively seek complementarities and synergies with all government-led agencies supporting The Gambia’s agricultural sector. It will also coordinate closely with the Twinning Grant Agreement, which will be implemented concurrently, as well as with other relevant programmes, to maximise added value and avoid duplication.
SPRING is a demand-driven programme. If you would like to receive support or partner with us, please submit an expression of interest using this link: https://colead.link/apply-for-support/.
If you have any questions, please contact network@colead.link.
This activity is supported by the "Sustainable Production for Resilient and Inclusive New Generations" (SPRING) programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by COLEAD. This communication has been produced with the financial support of the EU. Its content is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the EU.