The Blog

As a first timer at the Trade Fair Gambia International, Adama never thought that by the end of the trade event she would only be transporting empty tables, chairs and an array of networks back to her shop in Serrekunda.

According to the World Bank 2.01 billion tons of solid waste are produced annually. Every day, we produce tons of waste - from the food, the clothes, to the gadgets we dispose. Evidently, we cannot stop producing solid waste. However, we can massively reduce it through circularity and other innovative means.

The International Trade Center (ITC) in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) recently concluded a 4-week intensive skills training for 30 youth and women in beekeeping. This initiative is to purposely reduce the economic and social vulnerability of the poor and marginalized populations affected by COVID 19.

Beyond selling products and services to existing buyers, what every business seeks to achieve is growth. To expand its customer base and networks thereby increasing the business revenue stream.

In The Gambia, Trade Fair Gambia International provides such unique opportunities to businesses across the country and beyond. The annual event organised by The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the biggest trade fair in The Gambia and it attracts a lot of customers.

Cognizant of the opportunities young people, women, and differently abled people can tap into the annual trade event, the Interna...

With beaming eyes and a vigorously proud voice, Mr. Touray stretched his arms, indicating with his fingers “I started with a few people, but today, there are four teams comprising a minimum of five youths each. They are all working on different construction projects across the country, from Basse to Tanji. To put his current state into perspective, Muhammed Lamin added “I have now built my own compound, brought in electricity and recently, I brought in water supply all through my construction with CSEB.

In 2019, government data showed that, agriculture contributes 20-30 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides jobs to over 70% of the labour force. Despite the contribution of the sector to the economy of The Gambia, it is still dominated by smallholder farmers engaged in producing rain-fed subsistence crops for consumption.

It is a sunny afternoon in Janjanbureh in the Central River Region. Sounds of drumbeats, singing crowds, clashing machetes and sharp cries can be heard far and near all around town. The excitement can be seen on the streets as young and old alike, brace up for the annual Kankurang Festival.

The Kankurang masquerade is a Mandinka tradition and an integral part of the rite of passage of young boys. The Kankurang is a protective spirit and guarantor of order that shields the boys as they learn about cultural practices, social norms and the environment. The town of Janjanbureh is widely seen as the birthplace of the Kankurang, which was listed by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Four hundred young Gambians have graduated from the Sterling Technical Training Centre in Busumbala, the Gambia. The new institution is supported by the International Trade Centre (ITC) through its European Union (EU)-funded Youth Empowerment Project and the EU Jobs, Skills and Finance Programme for Women and Youth. The graduating class includes 138 students who were supported through project-funded scholarships.

Following the graduation, ITC handed over start-up kits to graduates from different skills centres. The young Gambians completed a vocational training supported by the country’s Sk...