Research rules
Data protection law in Gambia: registration and research permits
What a survey team needs to know about personal data and survey authorization in Gambia.
Summary for planning; confirm requirements with the regulator before fieldwork.
Status
operational regulator
Data protection law
Data Protection Act 2021 (2021)
Regulator
Data Protection Commission (established 2023)
Registration
registration of data controllers and processors required
Survey permits
National statistics office
Note
Data Protection Act 2021 (Act 11 of 2021); Commission members appointed in 2023.
Gambia research rules: common questions
Is there a data protection law in Gambia?
Data Protection Act 2021 (2021).
Who regulates personal data in Gambia?
Data Protection Commission (established 2023).
Do I need to register to collect personal data in Gambia?
Registration of data controllers and processors required.
Do I need a permit to run a survey in Gambia?
GBoS permit required under the Statistics Act 2005.
Sources: the regulator and statistics office pages linked above, retrieved 10 Oct 2026. See our methods.