Institutions and records
ICAO safety and security audits of The Gambia
Short answer
- Overall ICAO score
- 70.48 percent effective implementation 1
- Last activity cited
- Off-site validation, October 2020 1
- Lowest area
- Aircraft operations, 48.21 percent 1
- Highest area
- Airworthiness, 92.86 percent 1
- Earlier audits
- FAA baseline audit 2004, ICAO systems audit 2005 3
- FAA rating
- Not assessed, US advice of 11 December 2018 4
- Airport certification
- Target to certify Banjul International Airport by end of 2028 1
How ICAO measures safety oversight
ICAO runs the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme under a Continuous Monitoring Approach. It collects safety data from member states and uses a risk-based method to plan audits and other checks 2.
The result is a score called effective implementation, or EI. It is the share of satisfactory protocol questions out of all questions that apply, as a percentage. It can be given overall, for each critical element or for each audit area 2.
An off-site validation is a check done without visiting the state. ICAO reviews corrective action plans and mainly covers questions about how the oversight system is set up 2.
ICAO says a Significant Safety Concern means a state lets an operator use its privileges without meeting minimum requirements. It says the score measures the state's oversight, not the safety of a given airline 2.
The Gambia's score by audit area
The national aviation safety plan for 2026 to 2028 reports these figures from the October 2020 off-site validation. The plan was approved under the authority of the Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure and is coordinated by the GCAA 1.
| Audit area | Score |
|---|---|
| Primary legislation and regulations 2 | 80.95 percent 1 |
| Civil aviation organisation 2 | 70 percent 1 |
| Personnel licensing and training 2 | 53.73 percent 1 |
| Aircraft operations 2 | 48.21 percent 1 |
| Airworthiness of aircraft 2 | 92.86 percent 1 |
| Accident and incident investigation 2 | 56.34 percent 1 |
| Air navigation services 2 | 82.35 percent 1 |
| Aerodromes and ground aids 2 | 71.05 percent 1 |
| Overall 1 | 70.48 percent 1 |
Scores by critical element
The plan gives scores for the eight critical elements. They range from 89.29 percent for the first element to 58.75 percent for the seventh and 58.82 percent for the eighth 1.
ICAO groups elements 1 to 5 as establishment elements and 6 to 8 as implementation elements 2. The Gambia's three implementation scores are 70 percent, 58.75 percent and 58.82 percent 1.
The plan names no Significant Safety Concern for The Gambia 1.
What the safety plan says comes next
- Set up an Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau by the end of 2028 1.
- Separate the GCAA's regulator role from its service provider role by the end of 2028 1.
- Certify Banjul International Airport by the end of 2028 1.
- Assess the State Safety Programme by the end of 2026 and set one up by the end of 2028 1.
- Seek support from BAGASOO, the regional safety body, where needed 1.
Earlier audits and the FAA
In January 2016 GCAA deputy director general Catherine Nying told a joint National Assembly committee that the authority aimed to keep gains recognised in a 2004 FAA baseline audit and a 2005 ICAO systems audit. She said the GCAA was still working toward an FAA IASA Category 1 rating 3.
US travel advice last updated on 11 December 2018 says the FAA has not assessed the Gambian Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with ICAO safety standards. It says Gambian carriers do not offer direct flights to the United States 4.
A 2019 ICAO paper says BAGASOO audits the safety status of its member states, The Gambia among them 6.
Security audits
This site found no published result of an ICAO aviation security audit of The Gambia. The national safety plan does not mention one 1.
On 29 June 2022 the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, chaired by the Minister of Interior, met on security at the airport. GCAA Director General Fansu Bojang said better coordination among security services can improve compliance during ICAO audit missions. He said a new hold baggage screening machine had been installed 5.
In a 2025 statement filed with ICAO, the transport minister said The Gambia aligns its procedures with the ICAO Annexes and the GCAA Act 2018 7.
Common questions
What is The Gambia's ICAO safety audit score?
70.48 percent effective implementation, from an October 2020 off-site validation, per the November 2025 national plan 1.
Does The Gambia have an ICAO Significant Safety Concern?
The national plan names none 1. ICAO says such a concern reflects state oversight, not a specific airline 2.
Has the FAA rated The Gambia?
No. US advice of 11 December 2018 says the FAA has not assessed the Gambian authority 4.
Is Banjul airport certified by ICAO standards?
The national plan sets a target to certify Banjul International Airport by the end of 2028 1.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@gambiaairportguide.com.
Sources
- Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure and GCAA: The Gambia National Aviation Safety Plan 2026 to 2028, issue 1 (November 2025)
- ICAO: USOAP CMA online framework, frequently asked questions (undated page)
- The Point, as reported by Njie Baldeh: GCAA continues to strive for full compliance with ICAO (28 January 2016)
- US Department of State: The Gambia international travel information (last updated 11 December 2018)
- The Point, written by Fatoumata Joof, Ministry of Interior information officer: MoI, stakeholders to address security challenges at airport (5 July 2022)
- ICAO 40th Assembly: Strengthening the RSOOs, the role of GASOS for the BAG region, working paper A40-WP/255 (2019)
- ICAO: Statement by the Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure of The Gambia, FALC 2025 meeting files (2025)
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