By Landing Sallah
The GIRAV Project, in collaboration with the Central Bank of The Gambia, recently organised a two-day capacity-building from 4th to 5th February aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of selected Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) involved in the implementation of the GIRAV Matching Grant Scheme.
The training brought together three key MFIs - Yonna Islamic Microfinance, the Gambia Teachers’ Union Cooperative Credit Union (GTUCCU), and Salam Financial Services. The workshop was designed to enhance their technical and institutional capacity to effectively manage, disburse, and monitor matching grant resources while ensuring accountability, transparency, and sustainability.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPS) Fatou Jammeh Touray, emphasised the importance of accountability and prudent financial management, particularly among grant beneficiaries. She noted that the success of the Matching Grant Scheme depends largely on responsible fund utilisation, strong reporting mechanisms, and strict adherence to established financial procedures. According to her, transparency at all levels is critical to safeguarding public resources and strengthening confidence among partners and development stakeholders.
Over the two days, participants engaged in in-depth sessions covering key thematic areas critical to the effective implementation of the Matching Grant Scheme. These included an overview of the GIRAV Matching Grant framework, financial management and grant administration procedures, accountability and compliance standards, and risk management practices. Special attention was given to strengthening internal controls, improving documentation, and aligning microfinance operations with regulatory requirements.
Participants were also trained on monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems to ensure effective tracking of grant performance and beneficiary impact. Discussions on beneficiary management highlighted the importance of responsible financing, proper loan appraisal, and client protection, particularly for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses supported under the GIRAV Project.
The workshop further provided a platform for experience sharing and group discussions, enabling participating institutions to exchange best practices, identify common challenges, and propose practical solutions to improve service delivery. These interactive sessions contributed to the development of action plans aimed at strengthening institutional governance, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
At the close of the training, participants reaffirmed their commitment to applying the knowledge and skills acquired to enhance their operations under the GIRAV Matching Grant Scheme. The event concluded with a call for continued collaboration among the GIRAV Project, the Central Bank of The Gambia, and participating MFIs to promote financial inclusion, support agribusiness development, and improve livelihoods across the country.
