Gambian women receive $40,000 to improve cross-border trade
The 24 recipients of the grants will use the money to buy new equipment and expand their operations. By improving the quality of their products and services, they can create more jobs to grow their local economies.
All the women went through training in entrepreneurship, trade rules and procedures. The traders have also received training in digital and financial literacy.
The grants were issued by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), through the UN Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund Joint Programme.
‘You came and met us at a point where we were crawling, when we could barely do anything for ourselves,’ said Ndey Ngallan, one of the recipients. ‘You empowered us and supported us by opening doors of wealth and opportunities to be able to do everything by ourselves as women.’
Ngallan and the other recipients have participated in the National Youth and Women Agribusiness and Tourism Trade Fairs, organized by the Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce and the Gambia Women’s Chamber of Commerce. These events enhance market opportunities, networking and visibility for traders. Additionally, the programme has worked with border authorities on effective, humane management of cross-border trade and migration.
‘The beneficiaries will receive follow-up business development support to further enable the women to manage and grow their businesses effectively,’ said Yassin Gai, who manages the joint programme. ‘As women become more economically active, they challenge traditional gender roles, promoting greater gender equality and societal shifts towards recognizing and supporting women's roles in economic and community development.’
This support is an investment in the economic empowerment of women. The skills acquired, and the opportunities created, will empower the women cross border traders to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth in The Gambia.
About the Project – Migration – Multi Partner Trust Fund Project
The three-year project is funded by the Migration Multi Partner Trust Fund. The joint programme aims to mitigate migration challenges and improve the cross-border environment along the Senegambia bridge (in Jarra West and Upper Baddibou districts) by enhancing border posts to pre-empt situations of vulnerability, strengthening the capacity of border authorities, increasing awareness among women and youth of their rights, and strengthening skills and livelihood opportunities for women and youth. The programme is focused on the Trans-Gambia transport corridors and connects localized support measures in border communities with the broader national development agenda. It addresses the challenges of security, safety, and prosperity in a novel approach through interlinked initiatives with central government, local government, private sector, and civil society associations.
