Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, Professor Gomez, stated that the Skills, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (SIE) Fund represents a significant milestone for The Gambia. Launched in June 2024, the SIE Fund is part of the World Bank-funded Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity Project (RISE) aimed at developing technical and vocational skills to support the country’s socio-economic growth.
The program targets youth and women, providing them with scholarships and mentorship to acquire technical skills and establish businesses. This initiative aligns with The Gambia’s Higher Education Sector Strategic Plan (2021-2025) and the National Development Plan (2023-2027), both of which focus on expanding access to technical education.
Professor Gomez noted that the SIE Fund is a pioneering initiative, the first of its kind since 1965. He thanked the President and the Minister of Finance for their role in supporting the development of a system to assist the country’s youth.
World Bank Representative Franklin Mutahakana emphasized that the SIE Fund is an investment in both education and the future of The Gambia. He highlighted the country’s youthful population, with 63.7% under the age of 25, and stressed the need to equip young people with the necessary skills and opportunities to contribute to the workforce.
Mutahakana also pointed out that 37% of Gambians aged 15-24 are not engaged in education, employment, or training, and the SIE Fund aims to address this gap. The World Bank representative concluded by stating that the SIE Fund will continue to support the development of young people, with future rounds of funding being informed by lessons from previous ones to better align with labor market .
