Three young Gambian entrepreneurs have received financial support in the form of a grant, from GamDiaspora Tank, which is collaborating with the Gambian Chapter of Global Youth Innovation Network–popularly called GYIN, and EBROSSO Consulting Services.
The grant Prizes amounting to D20,000, is to support the young entrepreneurs to expand and strengthen their businesses. The trio, Musa Jaiteh of Jaiteh’s Fishing, Ms. Fatoumata Njie, Proprietress of Yaxare Herbal Tea, and Alieu Nyang, Proprietor of TIP Platinum Wears, officially received the grant money on Saturday, 19 Februay, 2022 during a ceremony held at Seaview Garden Hotel, Kololi.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mr. Modou A. Njie, representative of GamDiaspora Tank–a joint name meaning Gambia and Diaspora–said diaspora contributes about 46 percent of the Gambia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is indicative of the vital role the Gambian diaspora plays in terms of economic development of the Gambia.
“This tells you a lot about the interest of GamDiaspora.The idea of the GamDiaspora is to transform the process of sending money home (Gambia), into the viability of these businesses. We wanted to look at the initiative with a view to see how we can utilize it. That’s why we call it GamDiaspora”, he explicated.
Njie, who also doubles as the Director of Startup Grind Banjul Chapter, further told the gathering ‘Startup Grind’ is also an organization in almost 150 cities, and they are focused primarily on facilitation of trade and investment.
Director Njie, a multi-award winning entrepreneur, stated the aim is to make sure that the amount given is sufficient enough to support the young entrepreneurs in their businesses, with the objective of helping businesses in the Gambia.
“We are given three prizes today. The first one is in the tune of D15,000, and D5000 for both the second and third prizes [winners] each”, remarked.
In her remarks, the GYIN Gambia’s Finance Controller, Mrs. Mariam Saine, expressed her organization’s appreciation and gratitude to GamDiaspora, for the initiative it has taken to render support to the young entrepreneurs.
“Young entrepreneurs, especially those in the rural areas, are struggling with their businesses initially, especially during the peak of the Covid-19 Pandemic,” she lamented. Therefore, GamDiaspora coming up with this initiative, Saine believes, “is really a laudable gesture”.
She also, on behalf of GYIN Gambia, congratulated GamDiaspora for the initiative, while calling on other entities to emulate their footsteps in offering supports to the young Gambian entrepreneurs.
The GYIN official argues such support would encourage young entrepreneurs to work harder, in ensuring that their businesses prosper.
Ms. Jarai Ceesay, a representative of EBROSSO Consulting, lauded the GYIN-Gambia and its partners for the foresight, which she noted, has the potentials of discouraging young people from embarking on the perilous back-way route (to Europe); but instead to focus on their businesses and make a decent living.
Speaking on behalf of the grant beneficiaries, the ‘Jaiteh’s Fishing’ Proprietor commended GYIN-Gambia, GamDiaspora Tank, and EBROSSO Consulting for their support.
Musa is positive that the grant support will greatly assist them in expanding the scope of their respective businesses. He also assured the grantors that they (beneficiaries) would make the best use of the grant.
