By Alieu Ceesay
In The Gambia, where youth unemployment looms large and entrepreneurship is a lifeline for economic growth, one locally owned company is painting a brighter future. Bax Paint, founded by Bakary “Bax” Sanyang, is not just transforming walls with high-quality paints and services—it’s changing lives by creating jobs for dozens of young Gambians.
During an exclusive interview with TAT, the U.S.-based CEO of Bax Paint gives insight into the company’s inspiring journey, impact on the local industry, and bold vision for the future.
Sanyang’s entrepreneurial spark ignited during a 2017 vacation to his homeland. After researching the Gambian painting industry, he identified a gap: affordable, quality paint was hard to come by. By 2018, he turned his vision into reality with the launch of Bax Paint. Today, the company employs nearly 36 young Gambians, offering them a foothold in a competitive job market.
“We want to make an impact, especially here in The Gambia,” Sanyang said. “The unemployment rate is high, and the government cannot do it alone. We, as the private sector, need to complement government efforts.” His words underscore Bax Paint’s role as a vital contributor to national development, blending business success with social good.
Bax Paint has become a go-to provider, offering an array of products—oil paint, thinner, ceiling white, stucco fillers, clear varnish, red oxide, acrylic paints, and primer—alongside painting services delivered from strategic locations nationwide. Yet, success hasn’t come without hurdles. The company relies heavily on imported materials, and Sanyang candidly shared the logistical nightmares that hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My major problems began in 2020 when sourcing materials became challenging,” he recalled. “The prices of raw materials skyrocketed, and shipping to The Gambia became complicated due to port issues.” Like many businesses worldwide, Bax Paint weathered a storm that tested its resilience.
Despite these setbacks, Sanyang’s ambitions remain sky-high. He dreams of taking Bax Paint beyond The Gambia’s borders, boosting its visibility across Africa. He offers hard-earned wisdom to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Be patient and persistent.” He also sees untapped potential in the Gambian painting industry, which he describes as growing but underdeveloped. “The country’s priority should be to move towards manufacturing rather than just trading; we should focus on local production,” he urged, envisioning a shift from importation to exportation that could supercharge revenue for local businesses.
Sanyang’s story is as compelling as his company’s mission. Born in the rural village of Brikama Ba, he trained as a teacher and later studied business administration in Ghana before carving his path as an entrepreneur. Now based in the United States, he bridges continents to uplift his homeland.
From a single idea sparked on vacation to a thriving enterprise, Bax Paint is a testament to what determination and vision can achieve. As Sanyang continues to expand his company’s reach, he’s not just coating walls—he’s laying the foundation for a stronger, more self-reliant Gambia, one brushstroke at a time.
