By Seedy Jobe
The Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce on Monday began a five-day training workshop in Basse aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and business development skills among its regional representatives and affiliates, part of a broader push to expand economic opportunities for young people across the country.
The program, funded by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and implemented under the SOBDES project, seeks to bolster business development services for youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises in both urban and rural areas. Organizers say the initiative reflects a growing recognition that access to practical skills—not just capital—remains a critical barrier for many aspiring entrepreneurs in The Gambia.
More than 20 participants are expected to take part in sessions covering trade advocacy, sector-specific tools, and foundational competencies such as digital and financial literacy. The training is designed not only to build individual capacity but also to strengthen a network of local actors who can support entrepreneurs in underserved regions.
Opening the workshop, the GYCC president, Modou Lamin Gassama, framed the effort as part of a wider strategy to equip young Gambians with skills suited to a changing economic landscape.
“We are here to empower young people through capacity building, digital literacy, and financial literacy,” Mr. Gassama said, adding that the chamber intends to expand its reach through certified online learning programs. He also announced an increase in the prize for the organization’s annual Youth Awards to 100,000 dalasis, signaling an effort to incentivize innovation and enterprise.
Mr. Gassama urged participants to translate training into action. “Engage more young people to create the right impact,” he said, emphasizing that the chamber’s role extends beyond training to sustained partnerships and program development.
The urgency of that mission was echoed by Abdoul Aziz Mboge, who encouraged participants to make full use of the opportunity. “Many are called, but few are chosen,” he said. “Take this training seriously, explore your skills, and appreciate the opportunity brought to Basse.”
The workshop, which runs through Friday, includes practical sessions intended to bridge the gap between theory and application—a gap that has often limited the success of youth-led businesses, particularly outside the country’s main urban centers.
Since its founding, the Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce has positioned itself as a leading advocate for youth entrepreneurship. Initiatives like the Basse training, organizers say, are designed to address persistent disparities in access to business support services, especially in rural communities where such resources remain scarce.
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