In a significant move to tackle youth unemployment and limited access to finance, ActionAid International, The Gambia (AAITG), on Wednesday disbursed D2.5 million to support 50 young entrepreneurs across four regions.
The funds, provided under the Youth Promotion Initiative (YPI) with backing from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, aim to empower young people, including persons with disabilities, by combining grants with practical business skills training. Each beneficiary received D50,000 after completing a three-day entrepreneurship training programme facilitated by the National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI).
The initiative targets youth from the Central River, North Bank, Upper River, and Lower River Regions, including members of migrant associations. Area councils carefully selected beneficiaries based on demonstrated potential and community trust, ensuring the funds reach those most likely to create lasting impact.
This latest disbursement aligns with ActionAid’s Country Strategy Paper VI (2024–2028), which prioritizes youth empowerment and inclusive development. By supporting marginalized young people, the project seeks to promote economic participation, social cohesion, and peacebuilding while addressing structural barriers that hinder youth economic participation.
Speaking at the event, Alasan Jallow, a person with disability from the Lower River Region, expressed optimism about the grant’s potential. “This support will lift me from my current level to another. I will invest this money into expanding my poultry business,” he said.
Landing B. Sanneh, Chairperson of the Mansakonko Area Council, urged the recipients to use the funds responsibly. “You are here because we believe in you,” Sanneh told the group, stressing that the programme resulted from close collaboration between local councils, governors’ offices, and youth structures. He called on beneficiaries to ensure their ventures benefit not only themselves but also their wider communities.
Momodou Camara, Deputy Governor of the Lower River Region, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the nation’s future. “Investing in youth is investing in the nation’s future,” he noted, reminding participants of their selection criteria and the need for accountability to preserve opportunities for others. He also emphasized inclusivity, urging beneficiaries to include marginalized groups in their economic activities.
Lamin Sima, Youth Coordinator for the Lower River Region at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, welcomed the dual focus on training and finance. “We are satisfied to see young people benefiting from both training and financial support,” he said, encouraging effective application of the acquired skills.
Fafa O. Cham, Head of Policy and Program at ActionAid International, The Gambia, highlighted the rights-based approach underpinning the project. “Economic empowerment is key to meaningful participation,” Cham explained. He noted that follow-up monitoring would track progress and ensure responsible use of the funds.
Beneficiaries are expected to channel the grants into small enterprises, such as poultry, livestock, cosmetics, and other informal-sector businesses that sustain rural and peri-urban livelihoods. Beyond individual gains, the initiative is projected to generate employment, circulate income locally, and strengthen community resilience.
Through this multi-stakeholder effort involving government institutions and local partners, ActionAid reaffirms its commitment to youth-led development, inclusion, and sustainable peacebuilding in The Gambia.
