By Sainabou Sambou
In a bustling corner of Latrikunda Sabiji Market, where the rhythmic hum of sewing machines blends with the chatter of vendors, Momodou Salieu Jallow once brewed attaya for his uncles and ironed freshly sewn garments as a young boy.
Today, he stands as President of the Kanifing Municipality (KM) Regional Tailors Association and Chief Executive Officer of Baxi Bombong Couture – a testament to resilience, passion, and unwavering determination.
Jallow’s journey into the world of fashion began humbly in the family compound, surrounded by the craft of tailoring. His uncles operated a shop right at the gate, and young Jallow spent countless hours there, running errands that sparked his lifelong love for sewing.
“I officially started learning in 1999 at Latrikunda Sabiji Market,” Jallow recalls. From 1999 to 2006, he apprenticed diligently, mastering diverse styles: Afro-pants, sharp suits, elegant dresses for expatriate clients, and vibrant traditional African attire. To further refine his craft, he later completed a one-month professional training course.
The year 2006 marked a pivotal turning point. With determination, Jallow purchased his first sewing machine for D3,000 on installment payments. Tragedy struck soon after when a devastating fire razed Latrikunda Sabiji Market just eleven days before Eid. Many tailors lost everything, but Jallow refused to be defeated.
“Despite the hardship, I was determined to support my family,” he says. Using his remaining savings, he bought Eid outfits for his mother and siblings, then invested in another sewing machine – followed by a designer model. That same year, he opened his own tailoring shop.
Before fully owning the space, Jallow had shared it with another tailor who later traveled to Mali, allowing him to take over and renovate. Challenges persisted: the compound owner eventually demolished the building. With no immediate funds for a new rental, Jallow secured a crucial loan from Reliance Finance, enabling him to relocate and continue his business.
His entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond personal success into collective empowerment. In 2015, Jallow envisioned a formal association to unite Gambia’s tailors. By 2017, he co-founded the Latrikunda Sabiji Tailors Association, serving as a leader for one year and six months before internal misunderstandings arose.
Undeterred, severe business challenges in 2021 inspired him to establish the Gambia Tailors Union. Through unity and open dialogue, tailors rallied, held meetings, and elected executives to professionalize the sector.
The breakthrough came in 2022 with the formation of the KM Regional Tailors Association – now the largest in the country. Elected President, Jallow has led it through obstacles to notable recognition, including a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gambia Press Union.
Today, Baxi Bombong Couture employs several workers, and Jallow actively trains young people in sewing skills. “What I have now is very different from where I started,” he reflects gratefully, crediting divine providence for his progress.
Balancing presidential duties with running his shop is demanding, yet Jallow’s passion for sewing fuels him. “The trust and confidence of my fellow tailors keep giving me these responsibilities,” he says.
Looking at the broader industry, Jallow emphasizes the importance of skills development for national growth. He calls on key ministries – Tourism and Culture, Youth and Sports, and Higher Education – to invest heavily in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.
“If these three ministries invest in skills development, the country will move forward,” he asserts.
From brewing attaya as a child to leading hundreds of tailors, Momodou Salieu Jallow’s story embodies the Gambian spirit of perseverance. In an industry often overlooked, his leadership is stitching together a brighter future – one seam at a time.
