The UN Deputy Secretary-General is on an official visit to The Gambia and decided to make a stop at the skills centre to get firsthand information about the centre, which has become a hub for skills training in fashion, weaving, tailoring, garment production and other crafts.
To enhance youth empowerment and economic self-reliance, the International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaboration with the EU-funded Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), is training 40 Gambian students in vocational and technical skills at the Bakoteh Production and Innovation Center.
The initiative aims to equip young people particularly in textile and garment production with practical knowledge and tools to become self-sufficient entrepreneurs.
The ITC, a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (WTO), supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing and transitioning economies by enhancing their export capabilities. Its work is grounded in 100% aid-for-trade initiatives, focusing on inclusive and sustainable development, with particular attention to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), landlocked nations, and sub-Saharan Africa.
As part of her regional tour, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, paid an official visit to The Gambia and made a stop at the Bakoteh Skills Center. The facility, established by the ITC under the YEP program, has become one of the country’s most vibrant hubs for skills training in fashion, weaving, tie-dye, and garment construction.
Equipped with over 30 industrial machines and 10 handlooms, the center offers hands-on learning and operates under a fully functional management system, including a joint board and operational team.
Speaking during the training session, Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) expressed his enthusiasm about the program’s impact on youth.
“It’s a great pleasure to witness these skill-building sessions for our young people. At the moment, 40 students are undergoing training, with an additional 20 students participating through apprenticeship programs,” the mayor stated.
He added that the visit of the UN Deputy Secretary-General to the Bakoteh center reflects the global recognition of local initiatives that are changing lives.
“This visit by Her Excellency Amina J. Mohammed is an honour for us and a testament to how far this center has come,” he recognised, saying: “Through the partnership between KMC, ITC, and YEP, we have already trained hundreds of young people in the fashion industry. Many of them have gone on to establish their own tailoring businesses.”
Mayor Bensouda further emphasised the importance of visibility and recognition in attracting support for such youth-focused initiatives.
“This is the kind of encouragement we’ve always hoped for,” he appreciated. “Her visit will be a catalyst for expanding these economic incubators across the country. I firmly believe that by 2030, no young person will need to leave their home in search of jobs; we’ll have created enough opportunities for them to thrive.”
In her remarks, UN Deputy SG Amina J. Mohammed commended Mayor Bensouda for what she described as a “rare level of honesty and integrity” in African politics.
“What we’ve seen here in The Gambia, especially through the leadership of Mayor Bensouda, is a model of transparency and accountability that is often lacking elsewhere on the continent,” she said.
A key figure in global sustainable development and climate action, the UN DSG highlighted the center’s work as a critical contribution to the UN’s goals of good governance and youth empowerment.
She also expressed deep gratitude to the young people and women of The Gambia for their resilience, creativity, and contribution to national development.
During a panel discussion, Mengeh Lowe, Feminist and Business Support Officer at the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA), praised the efforts of Gambian women in sustaining families and businesses under tough economic conditions.
“Many women work tirelessly day and night to feed their families. They carry the burden not only of the household but also of the economy,” she stated.
Lowe pointed out that women continue to face serious challenges from limited financial access to cultural barriers, and stressed the need for more targeted support.
“It’s vital that we support these women and youth with the resources they need,” he appealed, saying: “Too many young people are unemployed, and too many responsibilities are left on the shoulders of mothers.”
She also acknowledged the support of international partners like the UN and ITC, emphasizing that such partnerships have brought real, measurable progress in The Gambia.
