Banjul, 16th April 2025: The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, officially received the Gambian team of Start-up Innovators who will represent the country at the 2ndAfrican Research and Innovation Forum (FARI-2025).
The forum being organised by ECOWAS is scheduled to take place from 5th to 9th May 2025 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
The forum aimed at promoting Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) within the region. Its core objectives include enhancing the visibility of regional scientific and technological research and providing a platform for dialogue among Science, Technology and Innovation stakeholders across Africa and beyond.
The forum also entails showcasing research results, encouraging partnerships with the private sector, and motivating researchers to improve the quality and quantity of their projects.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Gomez congratulated the shortlisted Gambian innovators and encouraged them to represent The Gambia with excellence as part of the Start-up Competition segment of the forum. He revealed that the Ministry, as part of its 2025 Work Plan, will organise a similar national event to allow local start-ups to pitch their innovation ideas.
Mr. Samba Sowe, Director of Science, Technology and Innovation at the Ministry, revealed that 14 start-ups from The Gambia registered in the application portal developed by ECOWAS, out which only 4 start-ups were able to complete all dossiers as per the technical requirements of the competition.
“From these, three were selected to participate in the FARI Start-up Competition. These start-ups are: Farm Hub gm, Baykart, Making the farmers’ life easier, Remaccs, Pinnnaclehr, business advisory and technology and Riddles of the sun, the Angel project education initiative,” he highlighted.
As part of innovation scale up and sustainability activities, the Director announced that the Ministry in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is establishing a UNiPOD at USET Kanifing Campus to help create an environment where cutting-edge research and new ideas will thrive. He said the Ministry will establish the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub with state-of-the-art equipment in Brikama USET campus.
Mr Sowe further confirmed that the National Assembly has recently approved the National Research and Innovation Fund Bill, which, once enacted will support and facilitate start-ups’competitiveness and innovation in the country.
By Fatoumata Joof
