Following the declaration of the Diaspora as the Eighth Region of the country by H.E Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, and in line with the National Development Plan to enhance the role of the Gambian Diaspora into national development, The Gambia Diaspora and Migration Directorate was created at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad to serve as a service delivery unit. The Directorate facilitates structured and optimal interface between the government and the Diaspora, coordinates Diaspora-related issues with different Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government.

The Gambia Diaspora and Migration Directorate is mandated to take the lead in developing and implementing a Diaspora Strategy which will server as an institutional instrument for service delivery. The Directorate is also mandated to coordinate diaspora-related actions and activities with different governmental, non-governmental and international bodies. Together with other partners, the Directorate is also tasked with, among others, the responsibility to create a Diaspora Development Fund, promote circular and labor migration and harness the expertise of high-skilled Gambian professionals in the Diaspora.

The Gambia Diaspora and Migration Directorate works closely with the Ministry of Interior and the Office of the Vice President to facilitate effective intergovernmental and inter-agency collaboration with regards to The Gambia’s Migration Policy. The Directorate also leads the Technical Working Group for Migration and Development under the National Coordination Mechanism on Migration, which is a government-led inter-agency coordinating platform in charge of discussing and addressing emerging migration issues and facilitating cooperation among relevant stakeholders with migration-related functions.