Job Creation: Invest in youth entrepreneurship, skills development (vocational, technical), and employment matching to reduce the lure of leaving.
Agricultural Support: Improve agriculture with fair prices and better opportunities to keep youth engaged in the country.
Climate Resilience: Develop green livelihoods and community adaptation to counter climate-induced displacement, a driver of migration.
Labour Mobility: Establish ethical recruitment practices and labour agreements for legal work abroad, reducing reliance on dangerous "backway" routes.
Visa Systems: Develop accessible visa systems for lawful migration to destination countries.
Rule of Law: Strengthen good governance, human rights, and support for the rule of law.
Border Management: Improve border infrastructure and technology, alongside cracking down on human smuggling networks.
Empowerment: Empower youth voices and involve them in designing solutions.
Mentorship: Support mentorship programs, including connecting youth with returnees, to build hope and new pathways.
Awareness: Run campaigns highlighting the risks of irregular migration and the value of staying and contributing at home.
Diaspora Engagement: Leverage the skills and investment of the Gambian diaspora for national development.
Partnerships: Collaborate with destination countries and international organizations (like IOM) on comprehensive strategies.
Key Idea: The core solution is to create hope and real opportunities within The Gambia so young people see a viable future at home, rather than viewing irregular migration as their only path to success.
Meanwhile, to address youth irregular migration (the "Backway") in The Gambia stakeholders are focusing on providing viable local alternatives, enhancing legal pathways, and countering the psychological drivers of the journey.
Recent efforts from early 2026 emphasize that addressing the crisis requires a holistic approach that builds hope at home.
The primary driver of irregular migration is the high youth unemployment rate, estimated at approximately 41%.
Investing in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) can get youth equipped with marketable skills in construction, IT, and engineering.
Encouraging youth involvement in agriculture through modern agro-ecology, value-added activities, and increased national budget allocation (target 10%).
Expanding access to micro-finance institutions like Reliance Financial Services could provide start-up capital for young entrepreneurs.
Providing legal alternatives can significantly reduce the appeal of dangerous routes.
Promoting safer and cheaper migration within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where Gambians have the right to live and work.
Establishing labour mobility agreements and EU Blue Card schemes for high-skilled workers could fill labour gaps in Europe safely.
Encouraging the use of student Schengen visas for those accepted into European universities as a legal entry method.
Migration is often driven by a "mindset of desperation" and misinformation about life in Europe.
Utilizing returnees by getting them share authentic stories of the "Backway" to debunk myths of guaranteed success abroad.
Youth-led groups such has Youths Against Irregular Migration (YAIM) can be aided to conduct outreach through drama, music, and sport to educate peers on the risks.
Increasing investment in counselling services could help youth navigate the emotional burdens of local unemployment and the trauma of failed migration.
Fully operationalizing the National Migration Policy and the National Development Plan (NDP) to ensure resources reach rural areas.
Supporting programs that provide returnees with reintegration kits and vocational training could prevent them from attempting the journey again.
Enhancing the Gambia Immigration Department's capabilities through initiatives like Operation Zero Departure is vital to helping them target smuggling networks.
