How to Write a CV in Gambia: Format & Guide 2026

The Gambia's formal labour market is small but growing, centred on public service, tourism, agriculture, and an expanding NGO and international development sector. A well-structured CV that follows local conventions will distinguish you in a competitive environment where most formal recruitment is centralised in Banjul and Kanifing.

Document Name and Type

The standard document is called a CV (curriculum vitae), not a resume. Most employers, including the civil service and international organisations operating in The Gambia, use the term CV consistently. The document runs two pages for experienced professionals and one page for recent graduates.

Language of the CV

CVs in The Gambia are written in English, which is the official language and the language of formal employment. There is no expectation to write in any local language such as Mandinka, Wolof, or Fula, even for community-facing roles.

Professional Photo

A professional photo is common and widely expected on Gambian CVs, particularly for government, banking, and corporate roles. Place it in the top right corner. Use a recent photograph with a neutral background and formal dress. Avoid casual photos.

Personal Information

Include your full name, professional title, email address, phone number (with +220 country code), and location (town or region). Date of birth and nationality are standard inclusions. Marital status is frequently included, particularly for civil service applications. Do not include your national identification card number in the CV body.

Education

The University of The Gambia (UTG), established in 1999 and based in Brikama, is the country's primary degree-granting institution and the qualification most recognised by local employers. The Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) is highly regarded for technical and vocational qualifications. For professional development, the Management Development Institute (MDI) in Kanifing is well known for short courses and diplomas in management and public administration. Degrees from regional universities such as the University of Ghana, University of Ibadan, or Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal are also recognised. Include the institution name, degree title, field of study, and graduation year. For secondary education, list your WASSCE results and grades if you are a recent graduate.

Work Experience

List experience in reverse chronological order, most recent first. For each role, include the employer name, job title, dates, location, and 3-4 bullet points describing key responsibilities and quantifiable achievements. Major employers that Gambian recruiters recognise include the Office of the President, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Standard Chartered Bank Gambia, Trust Bank Gambia, Africell Gambia, and Kombo Beach Hotel. NGOs and development partners including UNICEF, the World Food Programme, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and ActionAid Gambia are significant employers. Where possible, quantify: number of staff supervised, budgets managed, training cohorts delivered.

Skills and Languages

List technical skills relevant to your sector. For public administration roles, emphasise policy analysis, report writing, and public financial management. For IT roles, name specific tools and platforms. English proficiency at native or advanced level should be stated, as this is a differentiator for competitive regional positions. Knowledge of Mandinka, Wolof, or Fula can be noted as it demonstrates community engagement capacity for NGO and health sector roles.

Key Sectors

Tourism and hospitality is a major employer along the Atlantic coast, with hotels such as Coco Ocean Resort, Sheraton Banjul, and Kairaba Beach Hotel recruiting hospitality professionals year-round. Agriculture employs the majority of the workforce; the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) and NGOs like Concern Universal run structured programmes requiring agronomists and field officers. The groundnut sector, historically central to the Gambian economy, supports processing and export roles. International development organisations based in Banjul, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and African Development Bank field offices, hire programme officers and economists.

Declaration of Authenticity

A declaration of authenticity is standard on Gambian CVs. Include it as the last section: "I hereby declare that the information provided in this CV is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge." Sign and date the declaration if submitting a physical copy.

References

Two professional references are standard. Include the full name, job title, organisation, phone number, and email address of each referee. Contact your referees before submitting their details.

Cover Letter

A cover letter is expected for virtually all formal applications in The Gambia. It should be one page, addressed to the hiring manager by name where possible, and specify clearly why you are applying for this particular role. For civil service applications, follow any application format specified in the vacancy announcement.

Common CV Mistakes in Gambia

• Omitting the declaration: Most Gambian employers expect a signed declaration of authenticity; leaving it out raises questions about compliance with local norms.
• Generic objective statements: Replace "seeking a challenging position" with a specific, role-focused professional summary.
• Missing referee contact details: Providing referees without full contact information makes verification impossible.
• Listing irrelevant secondary school subjects: For graduates with five or more years of experience, secondary education can be condensed to a single line.
• Inconsistent date formats: Use the same format throughout (Month Year or MM/YYYY).
• Informal email addresses: Use a professional address based on your name.