Gambia, officially known as the Republic of The Gambia, is a small West African nation bordered by Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean. It stretches along the Gambia River and encompasses both urban centers, such as Banjul, and rural settlements. Despite its size, The Gambia maintains a structured addressing system, although its consistency can vary between urban and rural areas.

Urban addresses in The Gambia typically follow a standardized format, comprising street names, house or compound numbers, and postcodes. However, rural regions often rely more on descriptive landmarks or community names due to the absence of formal address systems. The national postal operator, Gambia Postal Services Corporation (GAMPOST), is responsible for mail delivery across the country and uses a numeric postal code system.

Understanding how to write a proper Gambian address is essential when mailing personal, commercial, or official correspondence. This guide outlines the various address types and provides examples to ensure accurate delivery.

Recipient Name

Begin with the full name of the recipient. When mailing to an individual, titles such as “Mr.” or “Ms.” can be used. For business mail, start with the company name. Follow this with the recipient’s name and department using “ATTN:” to ensure accurate internal distribution.

Street Address or P.O. Box

On the following line, write the building number and street name. The Gambia employs standard street formats in cities like Banjul and Serrekunda. In rural areas, addresses may rely on local landmarks. If using a P.O. Box, write “P.O. Box” followed by the box number.

Town or Local Area

Add the town, village, or district where the recipient resides. This helps mail carriers with routing, especially outside major cities.

Postal Code and City

Though not always required, Gambia uses a 4-digit postal code system. When available, include the code before the city name.

Country Name

End the delivery address by mentioning “GAMBIA” in uppercase on the last line for sending international mailpieces.

Residential Address Format

Urban residential addresses in The Gambia are typically structured and easy to format. Start with the recipient’s full name, followed by the street number and name. Add the city or town name, postcode (if known), and the country. These are commonly used in cities like Banjul, Kanifing, and Serrekunda.

Rural Address Format

Rural addresses often lack structured streets. Instead, include the village name, a nearby landmark (such as a school, mosque, or health center), and the closest town or district. The addition of local government area names can help improve delivery accuracy.

Business Address Format

Business mail should begin with the company name, followed by the contact person’s name, prefaced by “ATTN:”, and then their department. The physical office address, including road and city, ensures accurate internal routing.

International Address Format for NGOs and Organizations

Start with the name of the NGO, the specific department or program, and follow with the standard layout. Ensure international mail includes regional identifiers for clarity.

P.O. Box Address Format

When using a P.O. Box, substitute the street address line with “P.O. BOX” and pair it with the town or district. P.O. Boxes are frequently used for both individuals and organizations.

Military Address Format

Gambia’s military mail should start with the recipient’s rank and full name, followed by the assigned military unit or division. Replace the street address with a P.O. Box, if applicable. Include the correct town and postal code.

Government Office Address Format

When addressing government institutions, begin with the name of the ministry or department, followed by any sub-department. Use a clear and structured address to avoid routing issues.

Address Format for Multiple Recipients

For households or businesses with multiple recipients, list each person’s name on a separate line.

Address Format for Courier Services

When using DHL or FedEx, add the recipient’s phone number after the country name.

The national postal service provider in The Gambia is the Gambia Postal Services Corporation (GAMPOST). Established as a public corporation, GAMPOST is responsible for providing nationwide postal services, financial solutions, and international mail delivery. With branches located across major urban centers and some rural communities, GAMPOST ensures the accessibility of essential postal infrastructure across the country.

GAMPOST offers a broad range of services, including standard domestic mail, express delivery, parcel handling, registered mail, and post office boxes. Financial services, including money orders, domestic remittances, and utility bill payments, are also available at GAMPOST offices. For international correspondence, GAMPOST partners with global courier networks to provide outbound and inbound services, including international express packages and registered items.

You have learned how to structure the address format for a recipient in Gambia. However, you need a verified address to ensure your address reaches the intended recipient. PostGrid Address Verification solution verifies, standardizes, and offers real-time address autocomplete suggestions. Whether you want to verify a single or bulk address, we provide correct, complete, and up-to-date addresses in sync with the official postal service provider for over 245 countries and territories. 

If you are curious about the format of any other country, visit our global address format page and learn the format followed in countries across the world.