5 Dalasis

The Central Bank of The Gambia issued the 5 Dalasis banknote in 2023 as part of its 2019-2023 modernized currency series featuring native birds of The Gambia. This red polymer note measures 125 mm x 65 mm and bears the signatures of Jallow and Saidy. The denomination represents the lowest value in the current circulating series and includes enhanced security features consistent with modern banknote production standards.

The obverse side features a giant kingfisher bird perched on a tree branch and in flight, along with two standing bush fowl birds serving as registration marks and the national coat of arms. The giant kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) is the largest kingfisher in Africa, commonly found along Gambia's rivers and waterways, making it a fitting symbol for the country's rich avian heritage. The reverse depicts cattle and a rancher on a tropical landscape, representing Gambia's agricultural traditions.

The Gambia is world-renowned as a premier birdwatching destination in West Africa, with over 600 bird species recorded in a country smaller than many national parks on the continent. The birds-themed banknote series celebrates this extraordinary biodiversity while providing a distinctive visual identity that sets Gambian currency apart internationally.