Youth-Led Protest Erupts Over Mobile Data Price Hike in The Gambia

Dozens of young Gambians have rallied outside the headquarters of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), voicing strong opposition to the newly enforced D50 per 1GB price floor on mobile data.

The demonstration—driven by activists from the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ), Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), and Team Gom Sa Bopa—calls out PURA’s decision to dismantle competitive pricing and trigger a staggering 243% surge in data costs.

Before the regulation, GSM providers offered promotional bundles as low as D13.33 per 1GB. Protesters argue that the steep increase disproportionately affects everyday consumers, especially youth and low-income users who rely heavily on mobile data.

Police presence around the PURA building has intensified as the crowd continues to swell, with chants and placards demanding transparency and affordability in digital access.