“I am proud to announce that Kanifing Municipality is one of six cities to benefit from $450,000/GMD 33 Million from the Mayor’s Migration Council under the Global Cities Fund for Refugees and Migrants,” Bensouda stated on his Facebook account.
“The funding will help to launch small businesses for back way returnees with D220,000 for each selected youth, and provide continuous support to ensure they grow and create new opportunities for all youths.”
Detailed press release from KMC
“The Mayors Migration Council (MMC) today announced a new $3 million investment through its Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees (GCF), to help Kanifing and five other cities implement bold, city-led solutions that drive economic inclusion for migrants, refugees, and receiving communities.
Kanifing is establishing a business incubator for women and migrant entrepreneurs in high-growth sectors like tourism. The Hub will offer training, startup capital, and wraparound social services—including childcare and psychological support—to foster long-term economic participation.
Alongside Kanifing, the other receiving cities and grantees include: Boston (United States), Koboko (Uganda), Manta (Ecuador), Quezon City (Philippines), and Turin (Italy).
“Kanifing is a youthful, dynamic city. With the Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees, we are investing in the talent of our young people to transform migration into a choice, not a necessity,” said Talib Ahmed Bensouda, Mayor of Kanifing. “The Migrant Resilience Hub will harness their entrepreneurial potential, empowering them to launch sustainable businesses, build skills, and access wraparound social services that help them thrive. This is more than an economic project—it is a long-term strategy to expand our city’s marketplace and unlock inclusive growth for the next generation.”
Why Economic Inclusion
Cities generate over 80% of global GDP, offering unmatched opportunities for newcomers compared to rural areas or refugee camps—from diverse labor markets to entrepreneurial prospects. In turn, urban migrants and refugees power local economies: they fill labor shortages, sustain essential services, and drive innovation in sectors like healthcare, climate resilience, and caregiving.
Yet too often, migrants and refugees face barriers that restrict their economic potential, including limited access to work authorization and financial systems, vulnerability in the informal or gig economy, and systemic discrimination, undermining prosperity for both newcomers and longtime residents.
“Mayors continue to deliver solutions that include in their local economies those who are often overlooked. We’re proud to help cities turn migration into a competitive advantage—unlocking prosperity not just for newcomers, but for all,” said Vittoria Zanuso, Executive Director of the Mayors Migration Council.
A Growing Global Platform
Today’s announcement builds on the MMC’s 2024 Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action, which pledged to invest in economic inclusion solutions for migrants and refugees in cities.
Since its launch, the Global Cities Fund has:
- Mobilized $28 million, exceeding its goal to raise $25 million by 2025
- Supported city-led migration solutions in 26 cities
- Improved the lives of 100,000+ migrants, refugees, and local community members
- Seen 90% of grantees unlock additional resources to continue and expand their projects
With growing demand and demonstrated success, the MMC has set a new goal: $50 million by 2030 to expand the Fund’s reach and deliver deeper impact.
Our Partners Driving Collective Impact
Grantees were selected by an independent Steering Committee of global experts based on anticipated impact, community engagement, leadership commitment, and potential for replication. Drawing on expertise across local government, humanitarian response, finance, and migration, the Committee includes:
- Serena Guarnaschelli, Partner at KOIS, former Partner at Dalberg Development Advisors
- Nasra Ismail, Founder of Generative Connections, former Executive Director at Alight US
- Annemieke de Jong, Manager Sustainability & Corporate Communication at Stichting Kandidatennetwerk, former Head of Refugee Livelihoods at IKEA Foundation
- Sana Mustafa, Associate Vice President of Philanthropy at Equality Fund, former CEO of Asylum Access
- Fatima Shama, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Bloomberg LP, former Commissioner at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
Each city will receive up to $500,000 USD over two years, alongside tailored technical assistance from the MMC and its Strategic Partners: C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40 Cities), Metropolis, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).
The GCF’s newest window is made possible thanks to the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and the IKEA Foundation, with support from the MMC’s Strategic Partners in outreach, application review, and ongoing technical guidance.”
Read Other Articles In Headlines
