In a historic election on December 1, 2016, Gambians elected Adama Barrow as president, ending over two decades of autocratic rule under former military leader Yahya Jammeh. As Gambians work to dismantle the legacies of authoritarian rule, and NDI is working closely with government, political party, and civil society actors to build democratic institutions that are transparent, accountable, and responsive. 

By providing a productive platform for government and civil society to collaborate on open governance reforms, NDI’s programming has enhanced internal and external government communications, established a framework for the implementation of the Access to Information Act, and supported ongoing advocacy for electoral reforms. Ahead of The Gambia’s planned national elections in 2026, NDI is working with political parties to uphold and champion democracy and operate effectively within the nascent multiparty space by instituting reforms to internal structures and policies that systematize participatory, inclusive, and accountable party practices.