Terms of Use

Last updated: July 2026

1. Acceptance

By accessing or using the DoCD National Cooperative Digital Platform (the “Platform”), you agree to these Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

2. About the Platform

The Platform is provided by the Department of Cooperative Development (DoCD), Republic of The Gambia, to support cooperative registration, regulation, compliance, certificates, programme delivery, public information, and related digital services. It includes:

• Public portal — cooperative directory, certificate verification, insights, news, policies, publications, galleries, testimonials, FAQ, contact/inquiries, interactive map, and Partner API documentation
• Staff portal — authorised DoCD workflows for cooperatives, registration, certificates, compliance, private individuals, inputs, HR, reports, statistics, inquiries, and related modules
• Admin portal — system administration, user and security management, and platform configuration

3. Accounts and access

Staff and admin access is restricted to authorised users. You must keep credentials confidential, use only your assigned account, and comply with DoCD security requirements (including password and multi-factor authentication policies where enabled). DoCD may suspend or revoke access for security, policy, or operational reasons. Public visitors may use public pages without an account.

4. Acceptable use

You agree not to:

• Attempt unauthorised access to accounts, data, APIs, or restricted modules
• Interfere with Platform security, availability, or integrity (including scanning, flooding, or injecting malicious content)
• Misrepresent your identity or affiliation when submitting inquiries or using verification tools
• Use Partner API credentials beyond authorised scopes, or share them improperly
• Scrape, bulk-download, or republish Platform data in ways that misuse DoCD information or harm others
• Upload unlawful, defamatory, or infringing content

5. Public information and accuracy

Directory profiles, Insights statistics, news, and other public content are provided to promote transparency and service delivery. Information is maintained by DoCD staff and may change as records are updated. While we aim for accuracy, the Platform may contain delays, omissions, or errors. Official decisions, certificates, and statutory status remain subject to DoCD’s records and applicable Gambian law. For critical matters, contact DoCD directly.

6. Certificate verification

The Verify Certificate feature lets you check certificate details against DoCD records for a number you provide. A verification result is informational and does not by itself create rights beyond what the underlying certificate and law provide. Always treat physical/original documents and DoCD confirmation as authoritative where required.

7. Inquiries and communications

Messages sent through the Contact / inquiry channels should be truthful and relevant to DoCD’s mandate. DoCD may assign inquiries to departments or officers, retain correspondence for follow-up, and decline or close abusive or out-of-scope submissions.

8. Intellectual property

Platform software, branding (including the DoCD name and logo), layout, and DoCD-authored content are protected by applicable intellectual-property and government-information rules. You may view and share public pages for lawful, non-misleading informational purposes. You may not copy the Platform for competing services, remove notices, or use DoCD marks without permission.

9. Third-party links and credits

The Platform may link to external sites (for example developer credit or partner resources). DoCD is not responsible for third-party content or privacy practices. External links open under those sites’ own terms.

10. Service availability

DoCD may modify, suspend, or restrict public or authenticated access for maintenance, security, or operational needs (including temporary public-portal blocks announced by administrators). We do not guarantee uninterrupted availability.

11. Disclaimer and limitation

The Platform is provided for DoCD’s public-service purposes on an “as available” basis. To the fullest extent permitted by Gambian law, DoCD and its officers are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential losses arising from use of—or inability to use—the Platform, reliance on published statistics, or temporary outages, except where liability cannot be excluded by law.

12. Changes to these terms

We may update these Terms of Use from time to time. The “Last updated” date will change when we do. Continued use after an update means you accept the revised terms.

13. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of The Gambia. Disputes relating to the Platform should first be raised with DoCD; unresolved matters are subject to the competent courts or authorities of The Gambia.

14. Contact

Department of Cooperative Development (DoCD)
Cape Point, Bakau, The Gambia
Email: docd20212030@gmail.com
Phone: +220 4498987 / 9968218
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Or use the Contact page.