The initiative, spearheaded by the Mendez Impact Foundation, was officially launched with the Young Innovators Challenge, an inter-school entrepreneurship competition involving nine schools across the region.
The Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Mod K. Ceesay, presided over the launch alongside Deputy Permanent Secretary Mamadi Dampha.
The AFRIMMAK initiative is designed to provide young Gambians with mentorship, networks, innovation opportunities, entrepreneurship education, and leadership development.
Describing the launch as “a great honour,” Minister Ceesay commended the Afrimakk Project Team and partners, particularly the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
“Young Gambians should be seen not merely as beneficiaries of development but as active participants, creators, problem-solvers, and future employers,” he said.
“Entrepreneurship and innovation must be encouraged and nurtured from an early age, taking into consideration our local realities, resources and opportunities,” he added.
The Minister also highlighted ongoing government programmes supporting youth and women entrepreneurs, including: Digital Single Window: A UNCTAD-supported system to simplify business registration and encourage formalization; SheTrades Gambia Hub: Supporting women-owned businesses to strengthen operations and expand market access; National Standards Initiative, an initiative designed to improve certification, product quality, and competitiveness; as well as Fair Competition Framework to ensure consumer protection and build confidence in sustainable businesses
He urged young entrepreneurs to take advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which opens access to a continental market of over one billion people.
The Young Innovators Challenge will give students hands-on experience in developing business ideas, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, while connecting them to mentorship and networking.
Minister Ceesay reaffirmed government’s commitment to building a competitive, inclusive, and investment-driven economy, expressing optimism that Afrimakk will strengthen The Gambia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
