The Gambia’s Good Market was officially opened on Saturday, 28 June 2025, at UN75 Kotu Park through a collaborative effort led by the European Union Youth Empowerment Project – Tourism and Creative Industries, a project funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Trade Centre.
The Gambia`s Good Market is an initiative that gives Gambian youth and women entrepreneurs, especially those in the tourism and creative industries, a platform to showcase and sell their products. It aims to promote Made-in-The-Gambia products and services, strengthen market access for small businesses in the tourism and creative industries and connect entrepreneurs to customers. The initiative seeks to promote sustainable and inclusive tourism and was made possible in partnership with the Gambia Start-up Chamber of Commerce, Gambia Women’s Chamber of Commerce, ITC SheTrades Gambia Hub, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
The Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Hon. Baboucarr O. Joof, emphasized the importance of the market during his remarks. He said, “The Gambia’s Good Market is a landmark initiative. It is designed to drive sustainable growth in The Gambia’s tourism and trade sectors, provide economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and elevate the visibility of ‘Made in The Gambia’ products on both regional and global stages.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the European Union Ambassador to The Gambia, Her Excellency Immaculada Roca i Cortés, highlighted that the EU Youth Empowerment Project – Tourism and Creative Industries is a flagship programme for the EU, delivering the EU/The Gambia join agenda on inclusive economic growth through partnerships with the private sector and promotion of innovation and translating the ambitious objectives of the National Development Plan into concreate actions. She also underscored the focus of the platform on empowering Gambian youth and women – who are priority beneficiaries for the EU. “Through initiatives like the EU YEP – Tourism and Creative Industries Programme, the European Union aims at expanding access to skills, tools, and markets for young innovators. Our goal is clear: to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs and unlock sustainable employment,” she shared.
The Senior Technical Expert on Tourism and Creative Industries at the International Trade Centre, Daouda Niang, highlighted that market access remains one of the biggest barriers for small businesses and reaffirmed ITC’s commitment to curbing this challenge.
“The Gambia’s Good Market is one of our flagship initiatives designed to provide young people and women with a platform to access markets, build networks, make sales and expand their customer base. This market, which is 100% made in The Gambia, provides a unique opportunity for both locals and tourists an opportunity to experience the creativity and products of Gambian youth and women entrepreneurs,” Niang stated.
Also speaking at the event, Kumbale Goode, Board Chairperson of the Gambia StartUp Chamber of Commerce (GSCC), stressed the market’s role in promoting local enterprise and economic development. “The Gambia’s Good Market fosters business growth, generates decent employment and deepens cross-sectoral linkages within the economy. We have about 30 businesses showcasing Made in The Gambia products,” she said
The Gambia Good Market will be held every last Saturday of the month.
About the International Trade Centre – The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. For more information, visit www.intracen.org. Follow ITC on Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Flickr
About the European Union (EU) – The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect or human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit. The European Union includes a common market that allows free movement within its borders of people, goods, services and capital. The European Union’s foreign affairs policy, rooted in its founding values, aims to project its influence on the global stage through a combination of diplomacy, trade, development aid, and security cooperation. It seeks to preserve peace, strengthen international security, and promote cooperation, while also addressing global challenges.
About the EU Youth Empowerment Project – Tourism and Creative Industries: This project, fully funded by the European Union with EUR 10 million (approx. 837 million Dalasi), is a 5-year initiative in partnership with Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment and implemented by the International Trade Centre. It seeks to increase the competitiveness, inclusiveness and sustainability of the tourism sector and creative industries in The Gambia. The project focuses on women and youth as the main target beneficiaries. The project will support the country to diversify source markets and attract more visitors year-round, including tourists with higher purchasing power. At the same time, the initiative will boost The Gambia’s offering of green and inclusive tourism services and of the creative industries, and improve value chain linkages.
