This contribution fulfils a pledge made by Mr Jah, who also serves as Chairperson of the Governing Board of one of the funds - the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund (THETFUND).
The funds were allocated to the three newly established MoHERST Tripartite Funds: namely the Students’ Revolving Loan Scheme, the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund, and the National Research and Innovation Fund with D5 million assigned to each.
The occasion, which brought together various stakeholders, was held on Wednesday 14 January 2026 at the MoHERST conference hall in Kanifing.
Speaking at the ceremony, CEO Jah described the development as significant in fulfilling QGroup’s pledge made last November to support the Ministry through a collective contribution of D15 million to the Tripartite Funds.
He said the contribution was made through three companies within the QGroup, where QCell contributed five million dalasis to the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund (THET), QuantumNet five million dalasis to the Student Revolving Loan Scheme (SRLS) and AGIB Bank five million dalasis to the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF).
The contributions, he noted, represent QGroup’s shared commitment to national development through education, research, science and innovation with the belief of investing in education as an investment in the future of the nation.
“When we support students, regardless of their background, we are strengthening the very foundation of our country and empowering the next generation of Gambian leaders, innovators, and professionals,” he said.
“This initiative is deeply rooted in our core belief and our slogan: ‘Sunu Buss – It’s Ours’. For us, this is more than a slogan; it is a declaration of ownership, responsibility, and patriotism,” he explained.
Jah said the initiative reflects on their belief that Gambian businesses must play an active role in building The Gambia - supporting home-grown institutions, empowering their people, and contributing directly to national priorities.
As the Chairman of THET Funds, Jah said he viewed this contribution not only as the fulfilment of a commitment, but as a call to action.
In his keynote address, Professor Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, described the initiative a reaffirmation of national purpose, collective responsibility and enlightened partnership in service of The Gambia’s future.
Education, research, science, and technology are no longer auxiliary sectors of development, he says: they are its central nervous system.
“Today’s engagement between MoHERST and the QGroup is an investment in capability, dignity, and national resilience,” he noted.
The Tripartite Funds, he stated, represent strategic policy instruments through which Government seeks to democratise access to higher education, strengthen institutional sustainability, and promote a vibrant research and innovation ecosystem.
He continued that the funds were designed not as charity mechanisms, but as catalytic tools to unlock talent, stimulate inquiry, and generate solutions to national challenges.
Gomez says no government, regardless of intent, can singlehandedly finance or manage the complexity of modern education and innovation systems. The reality, he highlights, underscores the importance of responsible private sector participation
“Through this partnership, corporate leadership is aligned with national development priorities,” he said. “This is the model we must continue to nurture: one where enterprise success and public good are mutually reinforcing, not mutually exclusive.”
Gomez emphasised that MoHERST approaches such partnerships with a strong commitment to accountability, transparency, and results.
“Every dalasi entrusted to these funds is intended to translate into real outcomes; more students accessing tertiary education, stronger institutions delivering quality teaching, and researchers generating knowledge that informs policy, drives innovation, and strengthens our economy,” he stated.
He assured that MoHERST stands ready to deepen collaboration with the private sector, financial institutions, and development partners to expand innovative financing models for education, research, science, and technology.
In his welcoming remarks, Muktarr Darboe, MoHERST deputy permanent secretary – Technical, reaffirmed that the initiative is a strong demonstration of shared responsibility and partnership between the government and the private sector in advancing national development through higher education, research, science, and innovation.
He said the Tripartite Funds were established to address critical gaps in access to tertiary education, institutional financing and research and innovation support.
These initiative and contributions directly strengthen these mechanisms and, by extension, expand opportunities for students, researchers, and institutions across the country, he affirmed.
