According to the organizers, the Gambian case was part of an organized and government-accepted forum aiming at ensuring alignment between entrepreneurial learning and development goals. The dimensions considered in the entrepreneurial learning process from the reports included development and governance as well as community relations and development. The activity was infused in such a way as to incorporate support and assessment to measure impact for possible replication.
David Jeng has over a decade of experience in the arena of entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa. He has already mentored over 4,000 entrepreneurs in over 10 countries. He is currently part of a program in Gambia that is referred to as a collaboration between government and international entities.
The project has reportedly attracted the support and cooperation of various global bodies. Prior to his involvement with the CMO, Jeng has worked with the World Bank, the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), among various others. Apart from training, the expert has consulted for various governmental bodies within the region, assisting in the development of entrepreneurial policies.
Educational and professional certifications are also part of the assignment. Jeng has a Bachelor of Marketing and Finance from the University of The Gambia and a postgraduate degree in Intellectual Property from Africa University in Zimbabwe. Jeng wrote his postgraduate thesis about the use of trademarks by SMEs in The Gambia. He also has advanced legal coursework from the prestigious Harvard Law School in the fields of Patent Law and Global Public Health. The postgraduate training under the Mandela Washington Fellowship seeks to develop young leaders in Africa. The current certifications include patent preparation, creative intelligence, ADR solutions for IP/Tech disputes, and business preparedness, with additional certifications in Design Thinking, Quality Management Systems, and Food Safety.
There are strategic and leadership roles that define Jeng’s career path. He has been the Managing Director for Chapman Xpress Financial Services and Founder & Managing Consultant for Bliss Executives. He has held directorial positions such as Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other advisory roles for international organizations. His involvement in dialogue and acceleration processes for startups and policy initiatives includes leading strategy meetings for large projects and serving as a visiting fellow/adviser for innovation ecosystems.
It is observed that in a larger trend of public-private partnership in economic empowerment initiatives, the Gambia engagement is a part of a larger process of relating policymakers with coaching to apply knowledge to action at a grassroots levels. Although there are no official details on its performance indicators, it is known that there will be feedback on further replication.
The Gambian program represents a component of a series aimed at linking entrepreneurial capacity development with a country’s development priorities and continues to be treated in a way that portrays it as a neutral and policy-oriented effort and not a promotional one.
