Women’s Enterprise Fund goes digital in major reform push

Held at the Bakadaji Hotel, the training forms part of efforts to modernise the Women’s Enterprise Fund through a new digital platform developed with support from the World Bank under the SWEDD+ Project.

The initiative is expected to significantly improve transparency, efficiency, and access to financial services for women across the country.

Deputy Executive Director to the Directorate of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment, Neneh Touray, described the development as a “milestone in the history of Gambian women,” stressing that shifting from paper-based systems to a digital platform would transform how funds are managed and accessed.

“Dealing with finances manually is not easy. Documents can be misplaced at any time, but a digital platform makes the work easier, more transparent and reliable,” she said.

Touray noted that the new system will reduce delays associated with transferring applications from regional offices to the national level, while also easing the burden on both applicants and gender officers.

“It will save time for women who previously had to travel long distances just to fill forms, and ensure that information is accessible instantly with just a click,” she added, urging participants to fully engage with the training to master the system.

For his part, Alpha Humma, director of the Women’s Enterprise Fund, hailed the project as a “very big and historic development,” revealing that significant investment had been made to ensure the platform is functional and effective.

“I believe history is being made today. There are institutions in this country still operating manually, but this platform puts us ahead and sets a strong foundation for the future,” he said, encouraging staff to actively provide feedback to refine the system.

The software developer, Pa Essa Jallow of TableSoft, emphasised that the platform was built collaboratively with its users.

“We are not just building for you; we are building with you. Your interaction and feedback are key to making this system better,” he said, describing the training as a user acceptance testing phase where participants will validate the system before its national rollout.

Dello Bah, deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry, underscored the strategic importance of the platform, noting that it goes beyond technology.

“This is a tool designed to improve access, efficiency, transparency and accountability in delivering financial services to women,” he said.

Bah explained that the training represents the final stage before the system goes live, allowing stakeholders to test functionalities, identify gaps, and ensure the platform aligns with operational needs.

He added that the initiative reflects the government’s broader commitment to digital transformation and women’s empowerment.

“As a ministry, we remain committed to leveraging digital solutions to enhance service delivery and ensure no woman is left behind in accessing financial opportunities,” he said.