UNDP, Government of Gambia launch 2025 Global Human Development Report
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), on Friday launched the 2025 Global Human Development Report (HDR) under the global theme: “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI.”
The national launch convened stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, youth groups, and the international community to reflect on the findings of the report and discuss its implications for Gambia’s development trajectory.
Since 1990, UNDP, through its flagship Human Development Report (HDR), has challenged conventional thinking about progress by putting people, not economic growth, at the centre of development. The 2025 GHDR continues this tradition by exploring how AI can be governed and applied to advance, rather than undermine, human development.
Gambia’s Human Development Index (HDI) value stands at 0.524, placing the country in the medium human development category and ranking it 170 out of 193 countries and territories.
Persistent inequalities continue to undermine overall human development. When adjusted for inequality, Gambia’s HDI drops to 0.329, reflecting a 37.2% loss due to disparities in health, education, and income, above the global average loss of 19%.
Speaking at the launch, Ms. Mandisa Mashologu, UNDP Resident Representative, noted that UNDP supports countries to build inclusive AI ecosystems, strengthen capabilities, and implement solutions that benefit both people and planet, working to ensure all countries can actively participate in shaping and harnessing AI's transformative potential.
Professor Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to innovation and equity, stating that over 65% of the population is under 25. "This is not a burden—it is a blessing. But to turn this potential into prosperity, we must equip our youth with the skills and opportunities to thrive in the digital age.”
The event featured a high-level panel discussion on the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence in the Gambian context, particularly in education, employment, and health. Youth representatives also voiced their perspectives on how AI can be harnessed to expand freedoms and drive sustainable development.
As highlighted by stakeholders, the launch of this report is not the end, it is a beginning. Creating policies and platforms that place people at the centre of technological progress, ensuring dignity and inclusion in the age of AI, is both timely and essential.
The event also spotlighted key national efforts aligned with the GHDR, including the forthcoming UNDP National Human Development Report 2025, which focuses on youth unemployment as a critical barrier to inclusive development.
In parallel, the ongoing Innovation Ecosystem Mapping initiative, led in collaboration with national partners, aims to identify opportunities to strengthen Gambia’s digital and entrepreneurial landscape.
As a next step, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening national engagement and dialogue on the responsible use of AI and advancing efforts to integrate AI into policy frameworks that promote equity, sustainability, and human-centered innovation.
- 0- PANA MSS/RA 27June2025
