By Lamin Njie
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The Honourable Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC), Abdoulie Jobe, on Monday, 12th January 2026, paid his first official visit to Sama Hotel, a major hospitality project currently under construction in Bijilo, behind the OIC Building. |
The visit was aimed at assessing the progress of works, engaging with investors, and addressing challenges surrounding what is being described as The Gambia’s first five-star sustainable hotel.
Minister Jobe was accompanied by the Director General of the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), Madam Ida Jeng Njie; along with senior officials from MoTAC and the GTBoard.
Sama Hotel, being constructed by Arezki Construction Company, is expected to be a five-star, eco-friendly hospitality facility that will redefine luxury tourism in the country.
Speaking to journalists during the inspection, Minister Jobe said the visit aligns with government’s commitment to ensuring the timely delivery of key development projects. He noted that the investors had followed due process and commenced construction promptly after securing all the required approvals.
“This is the first sustainable five-star hotel in The Gambia, and it is a huge investment,” the minister said. “Our purpose here is to interact with the investors, understand the challenges they may be facing, and work together to find solutions. As a government, our role is to facilitate these investments and ensure they are completed and operationalised on time.”
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting private sector partners and disclosed that such engagement visits would be made more regular to ensure the smooth implementation of major tourism projects. Minister Jobe further highlighted the hotel’s potential to partner with international brands, which would enhance The Gambia’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.
On behalf of Arezki Construction Company, the proprietor of Sama Hotel, Mr. Ali Arezki, outlined the features of the project. He explained that Sama Hotel is a 10-storey luxury business hotel equipped with high-end facilities, including a spa, gym, swimming pools, restaurants, standard rooms, luxury suites and presidential suites. The development also includes eight exclusive villas designed for VIP guests.
Mr. Arezki emphasised that the hotel is fully green and eco-friendly, designed to operate primarily on renewable energy. “The hotel will rely on solar power to meet 100 percent of its energy needs during the day and 50 percent at night, supported by the national grid and generators,” he said, describing the project as the first of its kind in The Gambia.
He added that the hotel would create employment for over 100 people and serve as a landmark investment capable of attracting further development into the country. “We consider ourselves Gambians, and this is our way of giving back to a country that has given us so much,” he stated.
Director General of the Gambia Tourism Board, Madam Ida Jeng Njie, expressed appreciation to the investors and commended the Minister for initiating the visit. She noted that Sama Hotel would significantly add value to The Gambia’s tourism inventory and help reposition the country on the global tourism map.
“This type of product will help us attract high-spending tourists, which is critical for increasing tourism revenue and benefiting the wider economy,” she said. Madam Jeng Njie also encouraged investors to consider expanding similar high-end developments beyond the Greater Banjul Area to other regions in support of tourism diversification.
