How to Hire and Pay Employees in Gambia: A Practical Guide for Global Teams

Gambia might be a small country, but it’s got enormous potential—especially if you’re looking to tap into new markets in West Africa. Whether you’re exploring remote hires or expanding your footprint, hiring in Gambia is absolutely doable. But let’s be real: it’s also layered with rules, paperwork, and unfamiliar payroll systems.

This guide breaks it all down. No fluff. No jargon. Just practical steps to help you hire and pay talent in Gambia legally, efficiently, and confidently. If you’re exploring global hiring across multiple markets, you might also find our guide on how to hire and pay employees in Georgia valuable for comparisons and best practices.

Preparing to hire in Gambia

Hiring abroad starts with one big question: are you setting up shop locally, or working with a partner who already knows the landscape?

1. Choose your hiring approach: Local entity or Employer of Record (EOR)?

If you plan to build a long-term team in Gambia, forming a local entity may be worth it. But brace for a substantial administrative burden. You’ll need to register with the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency, get a Tax Identification Number from the Gambia Revenue Authority, and enroll with the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation.

For a more straightforward and faster path, consider using an Employer of Record (EOR). An EOR hires on your behalf. They handle compliance, payroll, and employee benefits so you can legally employ talent in Gambia without opening an entity.

2. Know who you’re hiring: Employee or contractor?

In Gambia, the difference matters. Employees receive protections under the Labour Act and get benefits like leave and social contributions. Contractors don’t. So, if you misclassify someone, you could face fines, back pay, or lose your business license. When in doubt, consult a local expert or use an EOR that knows Gambia’s labor laws.

3. Entity setup checklist (if you’re going that route):

• Register your business with GIEPA
• Get your Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the GRA
• Enroll with SSHFC for social contributions
• Open a Gambian business bank account
• Secure any industry-specific licenses you need

Once you’ve checked those boxes, you’re clear to start hiring.

Navigating Gambian labor laws

Employment in Gambia is governed by the Labour Act 2007. It’s straightforward once you know the basics.

Contracts are required—and they need to be in English. Include job title, salary, work hours, leave policies, and termination terms. Fixed-term and indefinite contracts are both allowed.

The government-mandated minimum wage is GMD 50 (US$1.25) per day, but for most professional roles, pay is significantly higher.

Here’s what employees are entitled to:

• 14 days of paid annual leave after one year
• 12 weeks of maternity leave (six before and six after birth)
• Paid sick leave with a doctor’s note

And don’t forget about Social Security. Both the employer and employee must contribute to the SSHFC. These contributions support pensions and housing funds.

For the latest policy updates and contract templates, check in with the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment (MOTIE).

Payroll and payment process in Gambia

Payroll in Gambia has its own rhythm. But once you learn the beat, it’s manageable.

1. Set salary and calculate deductions

Professional salaries vary, but mid-level roles typically earn GMD 15,000–25,000 per month (about US$200-400). Income taxes follow a progressive model:

• 0% up to GMD 18,000
• 5% to 30% above that, depending on the bracket

Social security contributions (SSHFC):

• 10% from the employer
• 5% from the employee

You’ll need to deduct these amounts monthly and submit them to the relevant authorities.

2. Run payroll on time—and accurately

Gambian employees are typically paid monthly, either by bank transfer or cash. Payslips should clearly outline gross pay, deductions, and net pay.

You’ll also need to:

• File monthly reports to the GRA and SSHFC
• Keep payroll records for five years
• Ensure all employees have TINs and are enrolled in Social Security

Some businesses choose to outsource this entire process. If payroll errors aren’t your thing (and let’s be honest, whose thing are they?), EORs can handle everything from calculations to compliance.

Tips and resources for a successful application

Hiring in Gambia isn’t just about checking legal boxes. It’s about understanding the local landscape. Here’s what helps:

Work with local advisors when drafting employment contracts

Confirm salary benchmarks using updated local data

Stay updated with tax and payroll rules through the GRA and SSHFC

Use platforms or partners that specialize in emerging market payroll

Using support from EOR providers

An employer of record is your shortcut to hiring internationally without the legal complexity.

Here’s how it works: the EOR becomes the legal employer for your team in Gambia. You manage the work. They manage all of the HR admin and compliance responsibilities.

What they handle:

• Drafting local employment contracts
• Monthly payroll and payslip processing
• Social security and tax submissions
• Benefits admin, onboarding, and offboarding

To understand how pricing works when you partner with an EOR, check out our blog on the importance of transparent EOR pricing.

So instead of learning Gambian tax codes and filing deadlines, you focus on building your team and growing your business.

FAQs: Hiring and paying employees in Gambia

Can foreigners work in Gambia?

Yes, but they need a work and residence permit. Employers typically sponsor them.

What’s the current minimum wage?

GMD 50 per day. But professional roles typically pay well above that baseline.

How do I pay employees?

Bank transfer is the most common, but cash is still used in some areas. Local bank accounts help.

What documents do I need to hire legally?

You’ll need a contract, tax ID (TIN), proof of SSHFC enrollment, and copies of ID.

What if I don’t want to set up an entity?

Partner with an employer of record. It’s the fastest, most compliant way to hire in Gambia without the paperwork burden or the compliance worries.

Hiring in Gambia is totally doable

Hiring abroad is exciting. It’s also a bit of a maze. But with the right process—and the right partners—you can build your team in Gambia without the stress.

Start with a checklist that matches your goals. Decide whether to go the entity route or partner with an EOR. And always stay close to the latest compliance updates.

Want to keep things simple and in the short term? That’s where Pebl comes in.

How Pebl helps you hire in Gambia

At Pebl, we help you hire, pay, and manage employees anywhere in the world—including Gambia. With our EOR services, you don’t need to set up a legal entity. We do the heavy lifting.

From employment contracts to tax filings, we make sure your team is hired legally and paid accurately. You get all the local compliance and none of the hassle. And if not Gambia, we offer the same services in over 185 countries. Imagine the possibilities.

Let’s chat about where in the world you’d like to hire next.

This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice and is for general informational purposes only. The intent of this document is solely to provide general and preliminary information for private use. Do not rely on it as an alternative to legal, financial, taxation, or accountancy advice from an appropriately qualified professional. The content in this guide is provided “as is,” and no representations are made that the content is error-free.

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