Gambian youth are transforming the country through increased participation in the economy.
They are increasingly going into entrepreneurship and skills training programmes, advocating for good governance, and engaging in community-level projects.
Initiatives like the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) provide vocational training in sectors such as agriculture and digital services, fostering job creation and economic diversification.
Youth Action Network The Gambia (YANG) focuses on leadership and advocacy for social and political change.
The government is also supporting these efforts through policies such as the National Youth Policy, aiming to empower youth for greater contribution to national development.
Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) provides vocational training in both traditional sectors such as agriculture and tourism, as well as in newer sectors of digital services.
This training has helped them to launch new small businesses as well as to increase tourism revenue.
The initiative, meant to improve the employability of young people and create job opportunities, including self-employment, is set to combat unemployment and emigration.
Organizations such as YANG focus on leadership development and capacity building to enable young people to advocate for their communities and push for policy changes.
Youth are being encouraged to engage in the political process by holding leaders accountable, demanding transparency, and to push for stronger oversight from institutions such as the National Assembly.
Youth are also actively participating in community service and local initiatives to address social issues, with a focus on making them active partners in building the nation they want.
Government has a dedicated policy (2019-2028) to address youth challenges such as unemployment and lack of access to education and to promote their role in national development.
As a young and dynamic population, Gambian youth are a vital force for political, social, and economic transformation in the country.
However, this potential is hampered by significant challenges, including high unemployment, limited access to opportunities, and economic hardships.
The potential of young Gambians is frequently undermined by systemic issues that create hardships and vulnerabilities.
High youth unemployment is a critical factor, often leading to desperation and a desire to seek opportunities abroad through irregular migration, known as "the backway".
The majority of underemployed youth are considered a potential labour force, who are either discouraged or lack the necessary skills.
Young Gambians grapple with a range of social challenges, including substance abuse, family problems and peer pressure. Gender inequality and female genital mutilation also pose significant threats to young women.
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