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UpdateGambia
Turning Facebook Marketplace Into A Fast-Money Engine In Gambia
~6.4 mins read
The dusty old fan in your store, that dress you wore once, or even your old phone could be your next cashout. And that broken-down car parked in your compound? Someone is desperately looking for it or parts of it right now.
To make money on Facebook Marketplace you don’t need a shop, a fancy business plan, or any money to start?
Unlike most side hustles in The Gambia where you need to hustle hard under the sun, Facebook Marketplace gives you daily access to buyers (locals, expats, and even foreigners) who need what you are selling.
People use Facebook Marketplace to
Sell unwanted items and make quick money
Flip cheap items for profit (buy low, sell high)
Build a full-time online shop (without renting)
Trade or barter for something they actually need
Using Marketplace feature
Accessing and using Facebook Marketplace is simple, yet so powerful when used correctly. So powerful, that it’s helping people living in Gambia create a reliable source of income straight from their homes.
You don’t need a shop, license, or capital to get started, just your phone, Facebook, and a little street smarts.
Imagine starting out by selling a few personal items at home to raise some initial capital. With that seed money, you begin scouting Facebook Marketplace for underpriced gems, buying low, holding strategically, and then reselling at a higher value.
On average, people flipping 5 items per week are making between D4,000 – D10,000/month with consistency.
That’s rent. School fees. Grocery money. Or even startup capital for your next big idea.
Smart tip: Focus on high-demand categories: phones, fans, fridges, bikes, and furniture.
How the Smart Hustlers are Playing The Game:
1. Buy Low, Sell High
Some sellers are desperate, they need cash fast. That’s where you come in. When you see a valuable item listed (a car, phone, or even furniture), don’t just scroll. Message the seller and make a reasonable low offer and stand your ground. Many will accept because they urgently need money.
You have to know the market price of the item to be an OG in Facebook Marketplace. Some items are listed for D4,000 but can be picked up for D2,500 if you just ask nicely.
Now, clean the item, take better photos, write a catchy new caption, and repost it on Facebook Marketplace at a higher price. That's how you become a digital reseller.
✅ Tip: Look out for newly posted items: These are usually from sellers in a hurry. Message fast, and you’ll get the best deals.
2. Let Your Items Sit (or Repost!)
If you’re the one selling, don’t panic if no one messages you in the first few days. Good things take time. Some items need to “sit” on the marketplace for a while. But here’s a trick: every few days, delete and repost the item to keep it at the top of people’s feeds.
Eventually, the right buyer, often a foreigner or someone relocating, will find your item and pay your price without much negotiation.
✅ Pro Tip: Post with clear photos, honest descriptions, and your real location. Buyers trust transparency.
3. Target Foreign Buyers
Foreigners (expats, tourists, diplomats) in The Gambia often turn to Facebook Marketplace to furnish their homes, buy cheap cars, or get second-hand tech. They rarely haggle and are ready to pay well for clean, functional items. If you have quality goods, especially electronics, home appliances, or office furniture—you're sitting on money.
4. Offer Perks or Freebies
People love free stuff. So if you’re selling a bed frame, throw in a used pillow or blanket and advertise it as:
“Buy this strong wooden bed + Get FREE pillow & bedsheet! D3,500 only!”
Even if the freebie costs you little or nothing, the perceived value skyrockets.
5. Bundle Your Items
Got many small things lying around? Bundle them into a value package:
For example “Mobile accessories: Headphones, Ear pods, USB-C charger, powerbank! D1,500 for all!”
This helps clear out space and makes the buyer feel like they’re getting a steal.
What You Can Sell (and Buy!)
Here are hot-selling items on Facebook Marketplace in The Gambia:
- Used smartphones and tablets
- Second-hand furniture (sofas, beds, tables)
- Home appliances (fans, fridges, gas cookers)
- Used clothes and shoes
- Cars (even unregistered or "needs-fixing" vehicles)
- Bikes, baby items, gym equipment
- Laptops, speakers, and TVs
If you want to buy, there’s treasure too! With a little patience, you can get unbelievably cheap deals, especially from people relocating, leaving the country, or just needing emergency cash.
Be Smart: Use your boundaries to stand your ground.
Facebook Marketplace is a street market on steroids, so you still have to stay smart:
Meet in safe places
Preferably public areas and during the day.
There are Scam Sellers
Some sellers post fake pictures or lie about the item’s condition. Always inspect the item before paying. This is common with online house agents.
Items can be faulty
You might buy something that doesn’t work properly. Google how to test that item, or ask ChatGPT for tips (like how to test a used smartphone or fridge before buying).
Time Wasters
Not every message leads to a sale. Be patient, and don’t give up!
Meet in safe places
Preferably public areas and during the day.
Avoid emotional selling.
If someone’s insulting your price, confirm the market price again to decide your next step.
Extra Tips for Success in the Marketplace
Use Keywords Wisely
When posting, include popular terms people search for. Example: “iPhone 12 Pro – good battery – like new – bargain deal!”
Stay Responsive
Always reply quickly to messages. People often buy from whoever responds first.
Negotiate Smart
Don’t be afraid to bargain, but know your lowest price and stick to it.
Build Trust
If your account is new, try selling a few low-ticket items first to build credibility. Get reviews if possible.
Use urgency in your listing
“Selling fast! First come, first served. Still available!”
Be patient but persistent
The serious buyers often appear after your 4th repost.
Be polite in chat. People buy from people they like.
Why Not Turn Your Phone to Your Shop?
In this economy, why let your valuable stuff rot when someone out there is praying to find it? Facebook Marketplace Gambia gives you the power to start a hustle, earn money from your unused items, and even launch a full-blown flipping business with no capital needed.
Whether you’re buying for resale or cleaning out your closet, remember: Every item has value to someone.
All you need to start
- A Facebook account
- Items lying around
- A little creativity
And the courage to start
Trading on Facebook Marketplace also offers the opportunity to learn negotiation, marketing, and digital sales. These are real-world skills that can build into something bigger.
How Facebook Marketplace Works:
Facebook Marketplace is a free platform built into your Facebook app. It lets you list items for sale, browse other people’s listings, and connect with buyers and sellers instantly. You can find items by category (electronics, cars, clothes, furniture, etc.), or search specific items in your local area, making it a perfect fit for anyone in The Gambia who wants to trade quickly and conveniently.
So, open your Facebook app now, head to Marketplace, and turn your clutter into cool cash. The digital dundal is real. Let’s go, Gambia! 💰🇬🇲
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UpdateGambia
How Foreigners Thrive In The Gambia: Quick-Start Teaching Jobs That Pay Well
~3.6 mins read
In most parts of West Africa, teaching isn’t known for being a high-paying job. But The Gambia is breaking that trend, especially when it comes to secondary school education. It doesn't matter where you are from, whether you're from Asia, America, Europe, Nigeria, Ghana, or even Sierra Leone, teaching in The Gambia is proving to be one of the fastest and most rewarding ways to earn a stable income. It also provides room for growth and side gigs.
I ll say, it is not just a job, but a smart move for foreigners looking to settle, save, or start fresh.
You Can Teach Without a Teaching Degree
One of the biggest advantages for foreigners in The Gambia is how easy it is to start teaching even if you don’t have a formal teaching certificate. Many schools accept applicants with just:
A WAEC, GCE, or IGCSE certificate
Or a basic university degree (which most Nigerians and Ghanaians already have)
This opens the door for foreigners who are fresh graduates or just settling into the country and need quick, stable income.
Home Lessons Can Earn You Over D50,000/Month
Here’s the real jackpot: many teachers, especially foreigners, take on home lessons with students from well-off families.
An affordable home tutor can charge D1,000 to D2,500 per student, per month and with just 20 regular students, that’s D40,000 - D50,000 per month (remember, it's not untaxed).
Some even offer group lessons or weekend classes, boosting income while working fewer hours than a full - time job. Add that to your school salary and you’re looking at serious money by local standards.
Even Though It is High Paying, Only Few Gambians Are Interested
The Gambia is small, and many young Gambians are not training to become teachers, so schools, especially private ones, are always on the lookout for reliable foreign teachers, particularly in:
English
Maths
Biology & Chemistry
Economics & Business Studies
ICT
If you’re a graduate from Nigeria or Ghana, for example, with basic teaching skills, you’re instantly wealthier here than back home (where jobs are fewer and salaries are often lower).
This is How Many Foreigners Start Life in The Gambia
Many foreigners use teaching as a launchpad into Gambian life. Whether you're waiting on other opportunities, trying to settle in, or just looking for quick income, teaching is:
Easy to get into
Respected by the community
Flexible enough to allow you to start a side hustle (like selling clothes, photography, baking, freelancing, etc.)
You don’t need years of experience or a long CV, just the willingness to teach and a basic academic background.
Private Schools Pay Well (Up to 25K) and Respect Their Teachers
Most private schools in The Gambia charge high tuition fees, especially those offering IGCSE. That means they can afford to:
Pay teachers D15,000 to D25,000 per month
Provide housing or transport allowances
Offer bonuses during holidays or exam periods.
This is already a big win, but the best part is, you also have the freedom to take on private lessons after school hours.
Two School Systems Equals More Opportunities
The Gambia runs two types of secondary education:
WAEC (West African standard)
IGCSE/GCE (international, British-based)
If you’re qualified in either one, you can land a job—but those who can teach IGCSE usually earn more because the curriculum is more expensive, and it's mostly taught in private schools. Private schools love hiring foreigners, especially from Nigeria and Ghana, because of their fluency, education background, and familiarity with the syllabus.
Teachers Are Living Comfortably
With a school job plus home lessons, many teachers:
Rent nice apartments
Afford smartphones and Wi-Fi
Save money or send cash back home
Start businesses on the side (like makeup, tutoring centers, event planning, etc.)
Some even sponsor relatives back home or pay university fees from their teaching earnings.
Teachers Travel on Holidays With Students
It’s common in The Gambia for schools to organize educational trips abroad or within the region. Foreign teachers are often selected to accompany students (meaning free travel, accommodation, and allowances during holidays). Imagine visiting Dakar, Morocco, or even the UK without spending.
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