By Adama Makasuba
A total of 585 entrepreneurs have been officially onboarded into the Andandorr Programme under the European Union in The Gambia Youth Empowerment Project, focused on tourism and creative industries.
The onboarding ceremony marks the start of a structured support phase aimed at strengthening youth-led businesses and creative initiatives through targeted training, mentorship, and coordinated business development services.
The programme is designed to enhance entrepreneurship capacity within the tourism and creative sectors, which are seen as key drivers of employment and economic growth in The Gambia.
Speaking at the event, Yusupha Keita, Country Representative of the International Trade Centre (ITC) Gambia, said the initiative is rooted in strong partnership among stakeholders.
“From the very beginning, this programme has been built on partnership. We developed it together with partners, launched it together, recruited together and we will implement it together,” he said.
The project is funded by the European Union in The Gambia and is being implemented in collaboration with key national institutions, including the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, and the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency.
Officials said the programme will help participating entrepreneurs improve business sustainability, access market and develop skills needed to compete in both local and international markets.
The initiative is also expected to contribute to job creation and innovation, particularly among young people engaged in tourism services, arts, crafts, and other creative enterprises.
Stakeholders said the onboarding represents a major step in strengthening the ecosystem for youth entrepreneurship with implementation expected to continue in phases across different sectors.
