The Blog

What has worked regarding fostering the entrepreneurial ecosystem in The Gambia? How are shortcomings and gaps addressed by the Andandorr Programme? The International Trade Centre (ITC) Gambia and The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) have published an article providing exciting insights from over 3 years’ work in the area of training and business development services. By analysing approaches which have proven successful in unlocking entrepreneurship potential as well as ones being less effective, the authors present the role of the Andandorr Programme by the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP).

Twenty enterprises under the Andandorr Program participated on a product photography training delivered by the Expert Photographer Lena Nian, founder of Lena Photography. The training was conducted from August 17 to September 11, 2020.

YEP and UNDP teamed up to collaborate and integrate support towards the local production of 95,000 facemasks by young entrepreneurs, returnees and TVET institutes as part of their joint response to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Mbolo Association is coordinating this initiative. From 27 July to 4th August, a total of 31,326 facemasks were distributed. A portion was directly handed over to different communities and institutions including the Kanifing and Banjul Municipal Councils for their market traders. In addition, 17,700 facemasks were delivered to the Ministry of Health to be distributed ...

On July 23, the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) in collaboration with key entrepreneurship service providers launched a virtual onboarding meeting for the first cohort of the Andandorr Programme.

The pilot phase will focus on supporting 100 entrepreneurs in a one-year accelerator programme which includes tailored business support services, industry-specific technical and financial support, market linkages and other customized support coupled with coaching and mentorship from both local and global business leaders. The Andandorr programme targets five critical sectors of The Gambia's economy...

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented socio-economic challenges in The Gambia. Small businesses are affected through production constraints, supply chain disruptions and marketing challenges. Wholesale and retail trade accounts for a third of the Gambian economy. The transport and storage subsector is also critical for the efficient functioning of the wider economy linking production with consumption and ensuring the provision of essential goods and services.

Young Gambian entrepreneurs are already providing valuable services in the logistics and transport sector that help cope with ...

“It’s almost midnight and I found time to have dinner just now. What I do, my craft is my passion. Providing creative solutions gives me so much joy”. Ndey Fatou Njie’s enthusiasm is still fresh after a long day. She has joined hands with a group of young fashion entrepreneurs and women groups in rural Gambia who are working hard to give back to their communities by turning towards producing facemasks.

Three training centers supported by YEP where youth acquire tailoring skills are now coming handy to help meet the urgent demand for protective facemasks. This support to entrepreneurs and ins...

“A good business is run by an entrepreneur in the right state of mind and good health, you want to be that entrepreneur - stay safe, stay home and protect yourself and your love ones."

This is the main message that goes out every evening on a live radio talk show and reaches youth across North, Central, Upper and Lower Bank Regions. The Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce (GYCC) produces the radio show. The Chamber is an umbrella body and voice of young entrepreneurs in The Gambia - a trade support organisation that empowers young entrepreneurs and help improve their earnings.

Since the creation ...

by ITC News

(Banjul) – Young Gambian entrepreneurs now have a chance of winning grants up to GMD 500,000 to implement innovative solutions to address socioeconomic challenges to Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) caused by COVID-19.

KMC in partnership with the European Union funded Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) and the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) launched the KMC Mayor GMD1 Million Challenge to support young innovative entrepreneurs with smart and effective solutions to help address the challenges caused by COVID-19.

The Challenge Fund is specifically designed to tackle thre...

Creativity and leadership: Young Gambians are using traditional forms of communications to help everyone stay safe.

by ITC News

Let’s not assume That we are not going to be infected Let’s prepare as though We will be affected Call 1025 And you can save lives.

Through their poem, Jainaba and Awa are making an effort to change the way youth look at the threats from COVID-19 as they embrace the realities in The Gambia.

They are among the 83 applicants who have submitted their entries in the poetry challenge initiated by the European Union funded Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) in collaboration wi...