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Cybercrime on the Rise in The Gambia: Government Moves to Strengthen Legislation

The Gambia, a small West African nation, has been identified as vulnerable to cybercrime by a recent report. With an internet penetration rate of 70% and a mobile penetration rate of 147%, the country is highly connected to the global digital landscape. However, this increased connectivity has also brought with it new challenges, including a surge in cybercrime.

The Challenge of Cybercrime

The Gambia’s lack of adequate legislation on e-evidence has hindered efforts to detect, investigate, and prosecute cybercrimes. This gap has led to the use of general economic crime laws to address computer-related crimes, which has limited the effectiveness of prosecution. Furthermore, the absence of specific provisions on electronic evidence has made it difficult for law enforcement agencies to gather and present digital evidence in court.

The Reform Initiative

In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure has launched a reform initiative to strengthen The Gambia’s cybercrime legislation. An advisory mission from the Council of Europe was sent to assess the country’s laws and provide recommendations for improvement.

The process of drafting the new legislation involved extensive consultations with local stakeholders, including:

  • Police force
  • Financial intelligence unit
  • ICT sector regulator
  • Civil society organizations

A three-day workshop was held to review the draft bill, which was shared online for public comments and validated through a series of workshops.

Challenges Ahead

While progress has been made, challenges remain. Internal processes need to be improved, and local capacities need to be strengthened. Furthermore, awareness about cybercrime and its consequences needs to be increased among the general population.

The government plans to:

  • Engage with the National Assembly Select Committee on ICT
  • Conduct capacity building activities
  • Formulate data protection and privacy legislation
  • Establish a national cybersecurity agency

Conclusion

As The Gambia moves forward in its efforts to combat cybercrime, it is clear that collaboration with local stakeholders and international partners will be crucial to success. By strengthening its legislative framework and improving awareness about the risks of cybercrime, The Gambia can better protect its citizens and economy from the growing threat of online criminal activity.