Making it in The Gambia
Following the return to democracy, an increasing number of young Gambians are returning home determined to make a difference
Young people in the Gambia are choosing to ‘make it’ at home rather than go abroad. Youth in the Gambia – which make almost 64% of the country’s population – have big dreams and are willing to work for them.
‘The youth are eager and hungry to be successful, to be job creators and to help develop our country,’ says fashion designer Awa Conateh of Yaws Creations.
At the end of 2016, The Gambia went through a peaceful democratic transition. This opened the way for political and economic reforms as well as the rebuilding of bridges to the rest of the world.
The International Trade Centre’s Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) in partnership with the European Union and the government of the Gambia supports the creation of quality jobs at home by addressing skill gaps and identifying business opportunities for youth.
‘Since I joined YEP my customer base has been expanding thanks to the marketing system we put in place. Hopefully, in a year’s time, I will be able to hire young recruits,’ shares Abdoulie Drammeh, the founder of Kara Garden.
Working with YEP, 1,250 Gambian youth have gained skills in industries including agribusiness; tourism; information and communications technology; fashion; and construction.
