By: Sainabou Sambou
Haddy Marong, known to many as Merro Marong’s story, stands out as a beacon of hope in the bustling markets of Numi Essau, where the air hums with the chatter of vendors, and the scent of ripe mangoes fills the air. From a young girl hauling baskets of garden produce to a thriving entrepreneur with two shops, Haddy’s journey is one of grit, faith, and an unyielding commitment to her dreams. Her rise from humble beginnings to a cornerstone of her community is a personal triumph and an inspiration for a generation facing economic challenges in The Gambia.
At nine years old, Haddy’s small hands gripped baskets brimming with her mother’s harvest—vibrant vegetables, fragrant mint leaves, and juicy mangoes. These weren’t just goods; they were her first steps into a world of business. Trekking to Banjul’s crowded markets, she watched her mother sell produce at low prices to middlemen. A spark of ambition ignited. “I thought, why not sell directly to customers?” Haddy recalls, her eyes alight with the memory. She began with her mother’s blessing, transforming errands into her earliest entrepreneurial venture.
Haddy’s childhood was a delicate balance of school and commerce. While her peers played after classes, she walked the dusty paths of Numi Essau, selling mangoes and nana (a local mint) to her neighbors. Every dalasi earned went toward school fees and lunch, easing the burden on her mother, who supported the family single-handedly. “I had to find ways to support myself,” Haddy says, her voice steady with the resolve that defined her youth.
Her entrepreneurial spirit was fueled by more than necessity—it was a vision taking root. Behind her family’s modest home stood a simple box, her “treasure chest,” where she stashed every coin for Eid celebrations. “I saved to buy clothes for myself and my siblings,” she says, smiling. These early savings were more than money; they were lessons in discipline and foresight.
By her teens, Haddy’s business acumen deepened. She began selling clothes and shoes on credit, traveling from compound to compound, and building trust with customers who repaid her within weeks or months. This trust became the cornerstone of her success, a currency as valuable as the dalasis she earned. At 18, she took a bold step, purchasing a sewing machine and hiring a tailor in Banjul. As Eid approached, Haddy spent nights at the workshop, ensuring her customers’ orders were ready. “Some thought I was the tailor,” she laughs, recalling the hustle that blurred roles but sharpened her focus.
In 2011, Haddy opened her first shop in Numi Essau, a vibrant space stocked with body lotions, clothes, and shoes. Her ambition drove her beyond village borders to Senegal, where she sourced goods that captivated her growing clientele. Today, she owns two shops—one specializing in food and cosmetics, the other in clothes and shoes—serving Numi Essau, Barra, and the surrounding villages. Her success defies the odds outlined in a 2022 International Labour Organization report, which notes that less than 30% of women entrepreneurs in West Africa access formal credit. Haddy’s partnership with Reliance Bank, forged in 2007, was a game-changer, providing the capital to scale her ventures.
The path wasn’t without setbacks. Twice, thieves raided her shops, stealing goods and savings. Yet Haddy’s faith remained unshaken. “I left everything in the hands of God,” she says calmly. Her resilience paid off. At 19, she bought land, later building a home for her family. “I never dreamed of going abroad,” she reflects. “My dream was to build something here, and God answered my prayers.”
Haddy’s success is deeply rooted in her community. She employs family members, sponsors orphans and disadvantaged youth, and supports local Daras and mosques. “I do this for the sake of Allah,” she says, her faith a guiding light. Her story resonates in a country where youth unemployment hovers at 20.4%, according to a 2024 report by the African Development Bank. Haddy’s message to Gambian youth is clear: “The country is tough. We can’t wait for government help. We must work hard and create our futures.”
Now sourcing goods from China and Dubai, Haddy continues to innovate, and her shops are a testament to what determination can achieve. They are more than businesses; they are symbols of possibility in a nation where, per the World Bank’s 2023 report, women make up 60% of micro and small business owners, often balancing family and economic roles.
Haddy Morong’s journey—from a girl with baskets to a woman reshaping her community—embodies resilience and vision. “Success doesn’t come overnight,” she says. “It comes from believing in yourself and never giving up.” In Numi Essau, her shops prove that dreams can break chains and build futures, no matter how humble their origins.
