This is the first of the two-day event, held on March 24 which begins with the official closing ceremony and handover of infrastructures at Brufut and the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Training Institute in Banjul.
Supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the initiative was designed to promote social and economic stabilisation in fragile areas of the region.
Launched as a pilot in 2019 in The Gambia in partnership with GIZ and KfW, the programme focused on improving youth employability and empowering women, while strengthening key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and vocational training.
Delivering the opening remarks, Damtien L.Tchintchibidja, vice President of the ECOWAS Commission described the moment as both a conclusion and a new beginning.
“This ceremony today marks a significant moment. It symbolizes not only the culmination of a long-standing cooperation and investment, but above all, the realization of a collective commitment to sustainable development and to the improvement of the living conditions of our community citizens,” she said.
The project, he added, goes beyond infrastructure and beyond the infrastructures, the aim of this initiative is to create sustainable employment and income generating opportunities for young people and women; to strengthen local entrepreneurship and to contribute to the economic vitality of our communities. She thus urged beneficiaries to take ownership of the facilities.
Representing the Government of The Gambia, Mod M.K. Secka, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, highlighted the scale and impact of the intervention, describing it as a landmark exhibition of success.
“Today, we celebrate the program that has not only delivered on these goals, but has positioned the Gambia as a shining example of what regional cooperation can achieve,” he said.
He outlined key achievements including the establishment of 19 community horticultural gardens, 22 poultry houses and two fisheries projects, alongside additional private sector investments. In the area of skills development, he mentioned the creation of an agro-food processing centre and new training facilities.
PS Secka made reference to the end-line evaluation conducted in February 2026, pointing out that the programme created over 18,000 jobs, with a majority going to young people.
“These are not just numbers, they represent real-life changes. Families empowered and communities established,” he stated, while calling for continued partnership to sustain and expand the gains.
Also speaking at the event, Christoph Rau, Director for Africa at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the development of The Gambia. “You must not be afraid that Germany leaves the country now. We will stay here,” he said.
He praised the programme as a model of international cooperation, noting that probably the most important thing that was achieved is the creation of jobs especially for young people.
‘‘That is what is needed most,” he noted, adding that Germany contributed a total of 20 million euros to the initiative.
The event brought together government officials, ECOWAS representatives, development partners and beneficiary communities from across the country, all united in celebrating what speakers described as a successful partnership built on shared commitment and local ownership.
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