The Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce (GYCC) recently held the second edition of its SkillRise Forum, rallying together dynamic young business leaders and budding entrepreneurs from across the country to discuss entrepreneurship and raging business issues.
The SkillRise Forum 2025, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo, was marked by a series of panel discussions with question-and-answer sessions.
The panel discussions were held on topics such as Nurturing Young People into Skills and Innovation; Pathways to Progress: Preventing Irregular Migration and Empowering Reintegration Through Skills and Innovation; Access to Finance for Skillful Entrepreneurs.
While emphasising that they are not just holding an event but nurturing a movement powered by purpose, resilience and innovation, Wally Saine, GYCC’s vice president for industries, acknowledged the tremendous effort of the organizers and other stakeholders, “and most importantly, the young people who continue to inspire and redefine the future of The Gambia”.
Mr Saine further said: “Your presence here today is a testament that the ambition of youth in this country is alive, focused and unstoppable. When we first learned about the SkillRise Innovation Forum, it was the conviction that young Gambians are not just dreamers but doers, crafting tools, solving problems, leading startups and building industries. We envision a platform where those voices could be amplified, those ideas validated and those innovations scaled. Now, one year later, I stand here with great pride to say that vision is being realised.
“We have seen young mechanics turn their garages into hubs of invention. We have worked with welders and carpenters, engineers make agricultural machines. We have met young coders developing mobile solutions for local problems. Across the region, you are not waiting for change. They are becoming the change.”
However, Mr Saine emphasised that the path ahead is still steep, saying the forum must not be a mere annual event but “a launch path for new strategies, deeper collaborations and accelerated actions”.
The German ambassador to The Gambia, H.E. Klaus Botzet, said what The Gambia needs is economic growth, which would translate to more jobs for young people.
“This is where you come in,” he encourages the youth, saying: “The small and medium-sized enterprises, they can build this economy much farther, much faster than any government could do,” he said.
Delving into migrants issues, he said: “I have been delighted to see that this conference today is also dedicated to migrants and returning migrants. Coming from a country where we have 17,000 Gambian migrants, I would say the migrants that are returning and creating a business here are heroes. They are helping to build a new economy and we are helping them through our Gambian-German Advisory Center in Westfield, where business plans are made, where offers for vocational training are handed out.
“We are proud of those people who start a new life here. And not only they have a chance for a new life, they also create opportunities for those who work with them and their own families. So, well done, Gambian Youth Chamber of Commerce! I’m grateful for your great work and I’m happy to support you and what you’re doing.”
GYCC board president Modou Lamin Gassama urged young people to be innovative, saying: “Our responsibility as business support organization and members of the development community is to provide an added value to your already existing sense of direction and sense of commitment. So the first fundamental stage always starts with you and we support on the next steps ahead.
“The reason why these forums are organised is that we can have a direct interface with all of you…It will not be effective for the GYCC to be designing on your behalf or creating programs on your behalf without engaging with you directly.”
Pa Malick Ceesay, executive director of President’s International Award Scheme, who was deputising the minister for Youth and Sports, delved into the initiatives being taken by government to support young people, particularly in skills acquisition and job opportunities.
Faba Jammeh, director of employment at the Ministry of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment, says the forum was a befitting one and he desired to see it consistently staged every year.
“I am very much impressed,” he said. “For me, my ambition is to ensure that your coverage, the intensity of your work, is felt across the country. Left to me alone, GYCC would be a natural membership, when you reach the category of youth, automatically you should be a member.”
