Mr. Ousainou Senghore

Ousainou Senghore is the Chief Executive Officer of the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA), a post he has held since September 2020. A chartered certified accountant (ACCA) with more than 25 years of experience across the UK and The Gambia, he brings a rare blend of corporate finance discipline and public-sector leadership to the work of positioning The Gambia as a premier destination for investment and trade. Under his leadership, GIEPA has been reformed into a results-driven agency that has helped attract over US$400 million in investment, supporting more than 30,000 jobs across all sectors of the Gambian economy. As CEO, Mr Senghore leads a team of 45 staff and five directorates covering investment, export, enterprise, finance and corporate affairs. His tenure has been marked by an ambitious programme of investment promotion including, More than 50 outward investment and export missions, generating US$210 million in FDI, 21 new companies and around 11,000 jobs; More than 60 inward missions, bringing US$187 million in net FDI, 18 new companies and around 9,000 jobs; 18 economic, trade and investment forums, including The Gambia–Nigeria, Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire forums and the Gambia–ICDT forum, advancing sub-regional integration. He has also championed MSME development, access to finance and policy advocacy for a stronger business environment. Regionally, he served as Vice President and Head of the Finance Committee of the Network of Trade Promotion Agencies of ECOWAS (2020–2025), and heads the Finance Committee of the West African Network of Investment Promotion Agencies. From 2008 to 2020, Mr Senghore was Director of Finance and Administration and Secretary to the Board at the Gambia Tourism Authority/Board. He turned an operating deficit into a surplus within six months, grew annual revenue from D45.8 million to D171.3 million, built reserves of D167.1 million from a deficit, and cut the debtor portfolio by 80%. He secured a clean audit every year, drafted the Gambia Tourism Regulations, and introduced joint marketing with tour operators that remains the organisation's core marketing tool. He frequently served as acting head of the institution. Before returning home, he spent a decade in senior finance roles in the United Kingdom, including Company Accountant and Finance Manager at The French Linen Co Ltd, where he helped grow turnover from £3.8 million to £13.8 million and led an acquisition that delivered a 35% return in two years. He also worked with Esporta Group and Uniq Plc, and briefly headed Finance, Treasury and Credit Administration at International Commercial Bank Gambia. He began his career at The Gambia's Accountant General's Department in 1990. Mr Senghore is a qualified member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA, qualified 2000) and holds the AAT qualification (1994). He has pursued continuous professional development in strategy, investment evaluation, public financial management, governance and risk management. He is a founding partner of Foresight Chartered Certified and Management Accountants and has advised major Gambian hotels on internal controls. Outside work, he follows current affairs, enjoys reading, and is a devoted supporter of Liverpool Football Club.