Located in West Africa, Gambia is the smallest country on the continent with its territory defined by the Gambia River, which traverses the length of the country. The population is concentrated along this river and the Atlantic coast, amplifying the significance of technologies that can withstand high humidity and salinity. The country faces infrastructural challenges, including erratic electricity supply and low digital connectivity, with only 33% of the population having access to the internet as of 2023. Despite these hurdles, there are signs of innovation in renewable energy and telecommunications sectors. Solar energy is being utilised to combat power shortages, with numerous rural communities benefiting from solar-powered water supply systems. In the telecommunications sector, the ACE undersea fibre optic cable has been laid to improve internet connectivity, but the sector is still in a nascent stage.
Mobile Network Operators
The are 4 companies operating mobile networks in this region.
Comium is a telecommunications company that operates in Gambia. The company was established in July 2006 and is a subsidiary of the Comium Group, a multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Lebanon. The Gambian operation is owned by the parent company, with no known local or external shareholders.
QCell is a prominent telecommunications company operating in Gambia. The company was established in 2009 by the QGroup, a Gambia-based conglomerate with diverse business interests. QCell prides itself as Gambia's "Quality Network," providing a wide range of telecommunications services to the local market. It operates under the ownership of the QGroup and its founder, Muhammed Jah, a well-known Gambian entrepreneur. The company has significantly contributed to the infrastructural development and connectivity in Gambia, marking a strong presence in the country's telecommunications sector.