Gambian youth in active poverty reduction drive

YOUTH FORUM: By Lamin Darboe

These efforts, backed by the National Youth Policy, aim to improve employability and foster economic self-reliance, with a significant emphasis on the rural areas.

The Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) aims to train 8,000 youths, while the African Development Bank million dollar project aims to support 500+ youths with annual training and create 1,500 new jobs.

The EU Youth Empowerment Project also focuses on tourism and creative industries, aiming to boost income in sectors like music and dance, and photography.

Projects like the Inspiring-Young Stars Program and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) empower rural youth through micro-gardening and sustainable agricultural practices.

Gambian youth are currently at the center of national poverty alleviation strategies, as they make up roughly 60% of the population under the age 25.

Youth unemployment remains a critical driver of poverty, rising to 45.3%.

According to recent data, various initiatives being implemented are actively working to harness "demographic dividends" by transforming young people from vulnerable dependents into economic drivers.

National poverty stands at 53.4%, but this jumps to 76% in rural areas, where youth are most likely to be engaged in low-return subsistence farming.

Despite primary school enrollment reaching 78%, only about 29% of students make it to upper secondary school, leaving many without the technical skills required for high-demand fields like IT or engineering.

Approximately 77% of Gambian youth are currently excluded from formal financial services, making it difficult for young entrepreneurs to secure the credit needed to start or scale businesses.

Lack of local economic opportunity has historically driven many youth towards "the back way" (irregular migration), a trend programs like YEP specifically aim to curb by creating local jobs.

National Youth Policy 2019–2028 framework has prioritised youth empowerment through health, education and job creation.

International Partnerships such as the UNDP, UNICEF and the African Development Bank have provided funding for social protection and climate-smart agriculture projects specifically targeting rural youth.

Meanwhile, several youth programmes in The Gambia are aimed at breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty through skills development and entrepreneurship.