Summary

SAI The Gambia conducted a performance audit on telecommunications service delivery by the state-owned limited liability company the Gambia Telecommunications Company Limited (GAMTEL). The audit cause was a significant decline in GAMTEL performance: poor governance, financial mismanagement, improper spending, and state interference in the operations and management. During the period spanning from 2019 to 2022, auditors discovered the following: - lack of necessary infrastructure to keep up with the increasing demand for broadband connectivity; - delays in responding to customers' service interruption: the absence of a Fault Management Information System and mobility issues; - inadequate administrative framework and debt management infrastructure; - ineffective monitoring of GAMTEL branches and exchange. SAI's recommendations were to eliminate the identified deficiencies by urgently expanding network coverage by building more fibre access terminals and upgrading technology; implementing an automated fault management system to enhance coordination; developing a comprehensive strategic plan; and establishing branch and exchange monitoring schedules for regional managers.