By Mariatou Ngum & Abdou Mbye
The Board of Directors of Digital Gambia Limited (DGL) on Tuesday, 21 July paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mohammed B.S. Jallow, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, at his office at State House in Banjul, where they discussed the urgent need to operationalise the country’s digital terrestrial television broadcasting infrastructure.
The delegation, led by the Chairman of the Board, briefed the Vice President on the mandate of Digital Gambia Limited and highlighted the institution’s progress, achievements and the challenges that continue to impede its full operations since its establishment in 2018.
The Board informed Vice President Jallow that Digital Gambia Limited was created as the national distributor of digital television signals, separating content production from signal distribution in line with international broadcasting standards and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) digital migration framework.
According to the Chairman, despite the strategic importance of the institution, the company continues to face significant operational constraints, including the lack of permanent office accommodation, inadequate financing, limited logistical support and insufficient operational resources.
He explained that once fully operational, Digital Gambia Limited will enable television stations such as GRTS and other local broadcasters to focus on content production while the company undertakes the distribution of digital terrestrial television signals nationwide, ensuring wider coverage, improved signal quality and greater efficiency within the broadcasting sector.
The Board also informed the Vice President that discussions are at an advanced stage with a Ghanaian investment partner under a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement to support the deployment of the country’s digital broadcasting infrastructure. However, they stressed that strengthening the institutional capacity of Digital Gambia Limited remains a prerequisite for the successful implementation of the partnership.
Responding to the presentation, Vice President Jallow welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to advancing The Gambia’s digital transformation agenda.
He acknowledged the importance of Digital Gambia Limited in modernising the country’s broadcasting landscape and assured the Board that the concerns raised would receive the necessary attention.
The Vice President disclosed that he would convene a meeting with the relevant ministries, departments and agencies to review the outstanding issues and identify practical solutions that would accelerate the operationalisation of the company.
The Board expressed appreciation for the Vice President’s warm reception, understanding of the issues presented and commitment to facilitating inter-ministerial engagement aimed at ensuring Digital Gambia Limited becomes fully functional.
Once operational, Digital Gambia Limited is expected to expand access to free-to-air digital television services across the country, improve the quality and reliability of terrestrial broadcasting, strengthen national ownership of broadcasting infrastructure, create employment opportunities for young people and support the continued growth of The Gambia’s media and communications sector.