EU–Enabel Partnership Showcases Vision for Youth Empowerment as Gambia Marks Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025

By Alieu Jallow

The Belgian Agency for International Cooperation joined the global celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025 by hosting a Theory of Change Workshop for its EU funded Boosting Gambian Talents Project, a flagship initiative designed to shape aspirations, expand opportunities and make migration a matter of choice rather than necessity. The project, funded by the European Union and implemented by Enabel, places young Gambians at the heart of a broader effort to link mobility, skills and entrepreneurship.

EU Head of Cooperation Enrica Pellicani said the European Union is proud to back the project as part of its Flexible Mechanism for Migration and Forced Displacement. She explained that the intervention is intended to strengthen economic opportunities and promote inclusion and innovation through entrepreneurship.

“A key path to achieving the objectives of this project is through partnerships, building of bridges between Gambian, Belgian and European entrepreneurial ecosystems. I am certain that through your expertise, the objectives of this event will be achieved. The EU cooperation with The Gambia on migration is based on a comprehensive approach which also includes mobility and legal pathways. We believe that empowering young people with skills, networks and opportunities is key to addressing the root causes of irregular migration. Through the Boosting Gambian Talents project, we aim to turn mobility into a positive force, one that drives entrepreneurship, strengthens institutions and builds resilient communities. We wish to support legal migration for the benefit of Europe and The Gambia”, she stated.

Permanent Secretary Abdoulie Jallow of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment said the project fits neatly within the Ministry’s focus on building a resilient and inclusive economy by empowering MSMEs, young people and women.

“The project is therefore strategic and will complement the efforts of the Ministry to convert the entrepreneurial spirit of our youthful population into sustainable thriving enterprises. It will also support the Ministry’s efforts to create an ecosystem where our private sector, particularly our Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises, becomes the undisputed engine of job creation and inclusive growth”, he noted.

Permanent Secretary Fatou Kinneh Jobe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad described the initiative as timely, adding that it aligns with The Gambia’s growing cooperation with the European Union while advancing innovation and skills development.

“The Boosting Gambian Talents project is much more than a mobility programme, it is a platform for inclusive growth, designed to strengthen the governance of mobility by linking it directly with entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation. By connecting Gambian and Belgian entrepreneurial ecosystems, the project provides opportunities for knowledge exchange, capacity building and partnership development that will empower our youth and businesses to thrive in both local and global markets”, she said.

The workshop brought together key national institutions, development partners and ecosystem actors, signalling a strong shared commitment to nurturing Gambian talent, expanding legal pathways and creating new opportunities for young people at home and abroad.

 By Alieu Jallow The Belgian Agency for International Cooperation joined the global celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025 by hosting a Theory of Change Workshop for its EU funded Boosting Gambian Talents Project, a flagship initiative designed to shape aspirations, expand opportunities and make migration a matter of choice rather than necessity. The project, funded The Fatu Network