Talib Ahmed Bendouda, Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council
By Makutu Manneh
The Kanifing Municipal Council has been awarded $1 million and operational support from Bloomberg Philanthropies to expand efforts aimed at reducing youth unemployment and improving waste collection services across the municipality.
The council is among 24 city governments selected worldwide for the Bloomberg 2025–2026 Mayors Challenge, a competitive program that drew more than 630 applications. KMC advanced through a pool of 50 finalists, with its proposal focusing on linking job creation to waste management reform.
In a statement announcing the award, the council said the grant would be used to establish youth-led cooperatives operating tricycle waste collection services. The initiative is designed to reach the estimated 60 percent of households that are inaccessible to conventional garbage trucks, a longstanding challenge in parts of the municipality.
Municipal officials said the program seeks to convert gaps in sanitation services into employment opportunities for young people, while strengthening community infrastructure.
“With the capital and the capacity the program provides, we will turn waste management into dignified jobs, while equipping youth with skills and pathways to upward mobility, and delivering cleaner neighborhoods and stronger communities,” the council said.
According to Bloomberg Philanthropies, the 24 winning proposals were selected for their originality, potential for measurable impact and the strength of their implementation plans.
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