The Gambia Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) has been instrumental in supporting youth-led businesses, providing training, access to finance, and mentorship.
The Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce (GYCC) also plays a vital role in empowering young entrepreneurs by offering business development services and facilitating access to finance.
The project focuses on addressing the root causes of irregular migration by promoting youth employment and entrepreneurship.
It offers skills training, entrepreneurship promotion and financial support to young Gambians in sectors such as agribusiness, tourism, ICT, fashion, and construction.
The GYCC is a business support organization that empowers youth-led businesses, with a focus on increasing their participation in the local economy and cross-border trade. It provides services such as business development, advisory services, and access to finance.
The Gambia has a large number of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with youth playing a significant role in their development and contribution to the national GDP.
While training programmes are available, youth entrepreneurs often face challenges in accessing credit and navigating business regulations.
Long-term mentorship is also crucial for the success of young entrepreneurs, and initiatives such as YEP are working to establish networks of business mentors.
YEP therefore adopts a market-led approach, aligning training and support with the demands of the job market. Opportunities for youth in commercial business exist in sectors like agriculture, tourism, ICT and the creative industries.
Further enhancing progress, the GYCC has also partnered with IOM The Gambia to provide entrepreneurship training for returning migrants, helping them reintegrate into the community.
In conclusion, The Gambia is actively supporting its youth in commercial business through various initiatives and organizations, with a focus on skills development, entrepreneurship promotion, and access to finance, while also recognizing the challenges that remain.
