Gambian youth are increasingly shaping civic dialogue, social advocacy and national development through digital tools, media literacy and grassroots communication.
Following The Gambia’s political transitions, young people have continued to make up a significant portion of the population and electorate (with youth aged 18–35 accounting for over half of registered voters).
They heavily utilize platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp to organize, voice political concerns and demand accountability.
Programmes such as recent social media advocacy workshops - led by bodies such as The Gambia Participates with government and international support - train young Gambians (particularly women) to run constructive campaigns, counter misinformation, and advocate for community issues.
Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) actively orients student cohorts and civil society youth into specialised training programs covering mass communication, film, photography and social media management to address social challenges like irregular migration.
With youth making up a large majority of the population and a high share of registered voters, platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp have become primary channels for young Gambians to voice political opinions, organize community action and demand accountability from public figures.
Programmes such as the EU-funded Social Media Advocacy Training (led by Gambia Participates and the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services) actively equip young leaders - particularly young women - with skills to run constructive civic campaigns.
Youth-led initiatives focus on training peers across national and regional associations to critically evaluate online content, combat misinformation, and push back against hate speech in community and digital spaces.
Young advocates across The Gambia are using peer-led forums, online spaces, and community dialogues to open conversations around mental well-being, stress, and anxiety, dismantling long-standing social stigmas.
Young Gambians engaged face-to-face with local authorities and traditional leaders to discuss reconciliation, governance and community development.
Making up nearly 70% of the population and 58% of registered voters, young Gambians heavily use platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to voice political issues, demand accountability, and organize civic movements following the country's democratic transition.
Youth-led networks and associations actively participate in training programs - such as those hosted by regional and national bodies - to teach communities how to critically evaluate news, combat misinformation and safely consume digital content.
Young advocates across Banjul and regional areas have launched peer-led online and community spaces to open up dialogue around stress, anxiety, depression and substance abuse, shifting away from silent struggles.
Meanwhile, young people in The Gambia are playing an increasingly central role in communication, digital media and access to public information.
