By: Fatou Krubally
Ten young Gambian entrepreneurs have received a combined D550,000 in funding at the finals of the YouthCAN Pitching Competition, jointly organised by SOS Children’s Villages The Gambia and Access Bank Gambia.
The competition, held at the SOS multipurpose hall in Banjul, marked the conclusion of a five-week journey that began with 50 contestants and narrowed down to 15 finalists.
The top prize of D85,000 went to Momodou Jallow for his eco-friendly briquette start-up, designed to replace traditional charcoal and firewood with cleaner, affordable alternatives. The second prize of D65,000 was awarded to another finalist, while the remaining eight entrepreneurs each received D50,000 to support their businesses.
“This funding will go a long way in helping me establish the business. The idea was there, but now I am motivated, and it means a lot to me,” Jallow said after receiving his award.
Access Bank Gambia’s Managing Director, Stephen Abban, said youth empowerment remains at the core of the bank’s corporate social responsibility. “The future of every society lies with the young ones. If we don’t support them today, the next Gambia will be a disaster,” he said, urging other corporate institutions to back initiatives that create opportunities for youth.
SOS children villages the Gambia National Director Jean-Pierre Kouamin described the initiative as the first fruits of a new five-year partnership with Access Bank. “We started with 50 empowered young people, and today 15 reached the finals. Ten are leaving with prizes, but all are winners because they gained knowledge that will guide them in the future,” he noted.
Judges evaluated contestants based on the stage of their businesses idea, start-up, or scale-up looking at innovation, market research, financial projections, and growth potential. Over four weeks, participants underwent rigorous training and mentoring to refine their ideas before pitching them in the final.
As the winners celebrated, organisers emphasised that the competition was not just about funding but about preparing young Gambians to succeed in business and reduce irregular migration.
For Jallow, whose briquette innovation earned him the top spot, the journey is just beginning. “We can make it if given the chance,” he said with a smile.
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By: Fatou Krubally Ten young Gambian entrepreneurs have received a combined D550,000 in funding at the finals of the YouthCAN…
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