On Saturday, senior government ministers in Gambia outlined comprehensive initiatives to address unemployment, education, and youth empowerment. The announcements were made at the Mansakunda event held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre. The Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Service organised the event with support from International Organisations for Migration (IOM). Trade and Employment Minister Mod K. Ceesay highlighted new job centres and an online recruitment platform.
Minister Ceesay mentioned the establishment of new job centres in the West Coast and North Bank Regions, complementing existing centres in KMC and Upper River Region. He also highlighted the GAM Jobs online recruitment platform as a key tool for connecting job seekers with opportunities. Ceesay stressed that labour mobility should not be seen solely in the context of migration outside Africa but also as a chance to harness opportunities within the ECOWAS region.
Higher Education Minister Professor Pierre Gomez emphasised the need to align education with labour market demands. He warned against producing graduates whose qualifications fail to translate into employment. Gomez noted that a nation cannot be built without skilled labourers and underscored reforms that bring industry leaders directly into curriculum design. Major investments are underway at the University of The Gambia’s Faraba campus.
The investments at the University of The Gambia’s Faraba campus include a $37 million School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences with 16 state-of-the-art laboratories. New degree programmes in engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, and AI are also planned. The government has launched the Skills and Innovation Fund to support TVET centres, subsidise student tuition, and provide start-up capital for young entrepreneurs.
Youth and Sports Minister Bakary Y. Badjie highlighted the role of sports in fostering leadership, unity, and discouraging irregular migration. He pointed to new football fields across the country and the recently approved National Sports Policy (2024–2034), which dedicates a section to using sports as a tool against migration pressures. Badjie cited the success of young footballers signing professional contracts abroad.
Minister Badjie also noted that beyond sports, youth-focused institutions such as the National Youth Council, NYSS, and NEDI are providing training, scholarships, and grants to equip young Gambians with skills and entrepreneurial opportunities. These institutions aim to empower Gambian youth and provide them with alternatives to irregular migration.
The initiatives reflect a coordinated government effort to ensure that Gambian youth can access decent employment, thrive in education, and find opportunities at home and abroad without resorting to irregular migration. The government aims to create a comprehensive support system for youth, covering education, employment, and skills development.
Key points
- The Gambia government has launched initiatives to create jobs, improve education, and empower youth.
- New job centres and an online recruitment platform have been established to connect job seekers with opportunities.
- The government is investing in education and skills development to address unemployment and migration pressures.
