The Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) has officially unveiled the Kanifing Migrant Resilience Hub, a groundbreaking $450,000 initiative funded through the Mayors Migration Council’s Global Cities Fund 2025.
The Hub, launched on 11 August 2026 at the KMC office grounds in Westfield, is designed to support the social and economic reintegration of migrant returnees and attempted migrants, with a special focus on women and single parents.
Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda described the Hub as more than just a project, calling it “an opportunity for migrant returnees, young Gambians, and families seeking a better future at home.” He emphasized that reintegration requires more than awareness campaigns, highlighting the need for skills, mentorship, access to finance, economic opportunities, and psychosocial support.
“Most importantly, reintegration is not only about income, but also about helping returnees overcome trauma, stigma, financial hardship and uncertainty,” Mayor Bensouda said.
He reassured returnees that their journeys do not define them, stressing that they bring valuable experiences and resilience that can contribute to national development.
Chairperson of the Project Steering Committee, Mr. Kemo Bojang, echoed this sentiment, noting that returnees can become entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and community leaders if given the right environment.
Project Manager Mr. Omar Marena presented the technical overview, explaining that the Hub will support 40 participants over two years in two cohorts of 20, with at least 60 percent of beneficiaries being women.
The initiative was warmly welcomed by civil society leaders, including Mr. Abdoulie Jallow, President of the Voluntary Returnees and Migrants Association of The Gambia, and Ms. Amie Jobe, President of Safe Hands for Girls. Both commended KMC and its partners for creating a programme that offers hope, support, and a pathway to self-reliance for migrant returnees.
The launch of the Kanifing Migrant Resilience Hub marks a significant step in addressing irregular migration by focusing on empowerment, opportunity, and community reintegration
