By Ramatoulie Njie
The Government of The Gambia has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting young Gambian entrepreneurs, promoting local industries and creating employment opportunities for young graduates as part of efforts to transform the national economy.
On Wednesday, 2 September 2026, the Ministry of Trade, in collaboration with the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA), conducted a tour of several Gambian-owned businesses and emerging industries.
Speaking during the tour, the Honourable Minister of Trade, Mod K. Ceesay, said the Government welcomes foreign investment but wants to create greater space for domestic investors, particularly young Gambians, to participate meaningfully in key sectors of the economy.
“We welcome foreign investment, but we also want to create space for domestic investors, especially upcoming Gambian investors. This is what we are promoting and want to champion. We all know what that means: we must create opportunities,” he said.
The Minister said the Government would assess the businesses visited before deciding on appropriate forms of support, including tax incentives, financial assistance, technical support and concessions on inputs.
He explained that the tour was intended to give officials an opportunity to verify the entrepreneurs’ operations, investments, challenges and growth potential before public resources are committed.
“We are here to familiarize ourselves firsthand with what they are doing on the ground. Once we satisfy ourselves, then we can come and justify why this particular industry should be supported,” he said.
The Minister stressed that the Government must remain accountable for the use of public resources and ensure that incentives, grants and loans are directed towards credible enterprises with the potential to contribute to national development.
“We are also accountable to The Gambia. We are using the money of The Gambia. Why should we give incentives, privileges and financial support, whether grants or loans, to these businesses without ourselves knowing where they are, what they are doing and who they are supporting?” he asked.
Supporting Local Manufacturing
The delegation visited Applied Research Innovation and Manufacturing in Yundum, a Gambian-owned enterprise engaged in the production of agricultural equipment. The facility is owned by young Gambian entrepreneur Wally Saine and was highlighted as an example of the growing involvement of young Gambians in manufacturing and innovation.
The delegation also visited Niro Company Limited at the airport, a Gambian-owned company providing ground-handling and in-flight catering services. The Minister commended the company for establishing a large-scale complex and creating employment opportunities for Gambians.
Another stop was Pasma Company Limited, a food commodity supply and distribution company. Although its facility is still under construction, the Minister expressed optimism about its potential once completed.
“When that complex is completed, it will definitely be a game changer, especially in the area of food commodity supply and distribution in the country and even overseas,” he said.
The delegation subsequently visited a poultry farm, where officials observed poultry production, animal husbandry and other related activities. They were also taken through a large complex under construction which, when completed, is expected to support the production and calibration of various products.
The Minister noted that all the entrepreneurs visited were young Gambians, with none above the age of 45.
“This is quite encouraging, and it gives us high hope in these young Gambians,” he said.
He assured the entrepreneurs that the Government, through the Ministry of Trade, GIEPA and other specialised agencies, is prepared to provide support to help them expand their businesses.
Such support, he said, could include tax incentives, financial assistance, technical support and concessions on inputs required for their operations.
“We are quite satisfied with what we have seen, and we encourage them to continue the good work they are doing because it is only through this that we can transform our economy and provide opportunities for Gambians,” he said.
Creating Jobs for Young Graduates
The Minister stressed the importance of developing local industries capable of absorbing the thousands of young people who graduate from schools and universities every year, including those trained in scientific, technical and engineering fields.
“These are the kind of workplaces that we want to support and promote so that we can provide opportunities for our upcoming young graduates from universities and high schools,” he added.
He said the businesses visited represented only a small selection of the emerging industries developing across the country.
The Minister also announced plans for a major industrial zone which, he said, is expected to accommodate close to 60 industrial units when completed. According to him, the development is expected to generate significant employment opportunities and further strengthen the country’s industrial base.
“It is very easy to be dismissive and say that it is nothing. But you have all seen, and I am a witness to the transformation that is happening in this country,” he said.
While acknowledging that the country is approaching an election year, the Minister maintained that the Government’s development initiatives and the progress witnessed during the industrial tour demonstrate its efforts to promote investment, industrialisation and employment.
Protecting Local Poultry Producers
The Minister also highlighted measures being taken to support local poultry producers through trade and fiscal mechanisms.
He explained that while imported poultry products have not been completely banned, applicable import levies are being used to create a more favourable competitive environment for locally produced goods.
He said the Government had initially focused on eggs and would continue assessing the quantity and quality of locally produced poultry products before introducing further measures.
“We started with the egg, and we will definitely continue to assess the quantity and quality of poultry produced locally and respond adequately. That is our next step,” he said.
According to the Minister, the Government will continue to use monetary, tax and targeted support mechanisms to strengthen domestic production and give local businesses a better opportunity to compete with imported products.
Encouraging Gambians to Invest at Home
The Minister said the hotel and tourism industry, for example, offers significant investment opportunities that have traditionally been dominated by foreign investors. He encouraged Gambians to occupy some of the available niches.
He also emphasised the need to create employment opportunities for young engineers, university graduates and others entering the labour market.
The Minister said the Government does not discourage Gambians from travelling abroad in search of opportunities but wants to ensure that viable opportunities are also created at home.
“We are not saying young Gambians should not travel. If they have to travel overseas to look for opportunities, by all means. But where opportunities exist here, we will create them and encourage Gambians to stay and work at home. And if they must travel, we want them to do so safely,” he said.
He reiterated that the overall objective is to empower Gambian entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, create jobs and compete not only within The Gambia but also across West Africa and the global market.
“I am not necessarily anti-foreign investors, but I am saying preference should be given to what is our own, The Gambian. We will continue to champion and support Gambians to occupy the space that is available and support them to compete not only in The Gambia and West Africa, but even globally,” he said.
The Minister maintained that supporting young Gambian entrepreneurs, strengthening local industries and creating employment opportunities for young graduates remain critical to transforming the economy and building a stronger, more self-reliant private sector.
