At the airport
Advance passenger information and PNR data in The Gambia
Short answer
- UN gap analysis
- 5 to 8 October 2020, virtual 1
- MoU with UNOCT
- Signed 6 September 2022 in New York 3
- Software
- UN goTravel, pre-production stage in September 2022 3
- Status in 2025
- Government finalising API and PNR, per transport minister 5
- Security Council basis
- Resolutions 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017), 2482 (2019) 1
- Live status
- Not confirmed as live in sources opened. Last stated as being finalised 5
What API and PNR are
The UN programme says it uses API and PNR data to improve checks against databases of known and suspected terrorists and criminals, and to strengthen information exchange between countries 4.
It describes a Passenger Information Unit as a unit that analyses passenger data from air, sea and land travel, checks it against national and international watchlists, and uses risk indicators to find unknown threats 4.
The Gambian transport minister told ICAO in 2025 that PNR will eventually replace the passenger manifest 5.
The UN programme and The Gambia
From 5 to 8 October 2020 the UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme ran a virtual deep-dive gap analysis of The Gambia's API and PNR programme. It covered four pillars: legal, operational, transport industry engagement and technical 1. The Minister of the Interior opened and closed the assessment 1.
The UN said the analysis found areas where The Gambia needs technical assistance, and that an API and PNR roadmap would follow 1. The UN counter-terrorism directorate CTED said partners use such findings to write a national implementation road map 2.
The UN programme says it deploys goTravel free of charge, with support and maintenance 4. A UN presentation at an ICAO forum in Yaounde on 4 March 2025 listed The Gambia among 31 African beneficiary countries 6.
The 2022 MoU
On 6 September 2022 the Minister of Interior, Seyaka Sonko, and UN Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov signed an MoU at UN Headquarters in New York 3.
The UN said the MoU covers the collection and use of API and PNR data through goTravel, and lets data be cross-checked against INTERPOL and other databases 3. It said The Gambia was entering pre-production 3. The minister thanked the GCAA for making the event possible 3.
Status and timeline
This site did not find a published Gambian law or regulation on API or PNR, or an official notice that a Passenger Information Unit is operating. The last official status found is the 2025 statement 5.
Who holds traveller data at the airport today
President Adama Barrow said in March 2023 that Securiport collects data at the airport but that the Gambia Immigration Department keeps all of it 7.
A presidential adviser on cyber security said in March 2023 that the Securiport system is linked to INTERPOL, the State Intelligence Services and the police through one database. He gave no figures on interceptions, citing security 8. These are statements by officials, not an independent review.
Common questions
Does Banjul airport use API and PNR?
The transport minister said in 2025 that the government was finalising API and PNR systems 5. This site found no official notice that they are live.
What is goTravel?
It is UN software for API and PNR data, which the UN deploys free of charge 4. The Gambia was entering pre-production in 2022 3.
Who signed the UN passenger data agreement for The Gambia?
Minister of Interior Seyaka Sonko signed it with UNOCT on 6 September 2022 3.
Will PNR replace the passenger manifest?
The transport minister told ICAO in 2025 that PNR will eventually replace the manifest 5.
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
- UN Office of Counter-Terrorism: The Countering Terrorist Travel Programme completes successful deep-dive with The Gambia (8 October 2020)
- UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee: CTED leads virtual deep-dive assessment missions to Sierra Leone and the Gambia (October 2020)
- UN Office of Counter-Terrorism: CT Travel Programme MoU signing ceremony with the Gambia, press release (6 September 2022)
- UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme: About the programme (undated)
- ICAO: Statement by the Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure of The Gambia, FALC 2025 meeting files (2025)
- ICAO FAL Regional Forum, Yaounde: United Nations support to Member States on API and PNR systems implementation (4 March 2025)
- The Point: Barrow justifies Securiport contract (21 March 2023)
- The Point (Momodou Jawo): Securiport intercepted many security threats at airport (28 March 2023)
Related
- Gambia Immigration Department at Banjul International Airport
What Gambia Immigration handles at Banjul airport, stay stamps and extensions, the Securiport immigration security system, and audit findings.
- Security screening at Banjul International Airport
Who screens passengers and bags at Banjul airport, the rules on prohibited items, how the US$20 security fee differs from screening, and past audits.
- Arriving at Banjul International Airport
What happens when you land at Banjul: immigration and entry stamp, the US$20 security fee, yellow fever certificate, customs allowances and transport.
- Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
The GCAA regulates aviation and runs Banjul International Airport. Its legal basis, directorates, passenger charges, and what audits and Parliament said.