PHYLA expands to Gambia with presidential backing for sustainable agroforestry
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In a major boost for sustainable agriculture and land regeneration, PHYLA.earth has announced its expansion into The Gambia, supported by a strategic partnership with local operator EcoHub and the endorsement of President Adama Barrow.
The initiative, aimed at establishing pongamia nurseries and regenerating degraded land, is set to transform the region’s agricultural landscape and enhance local livelihoods.
EcoHub, PHYLA’s local operating partner, is spearheaded by JAHA Dukureh, a renowned co-founder of Regenerative Hubs, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and UN Women Ambassador for Africa. The partnership aims to scale the production of pongamia saplings for agroforestry projects aligned with the Great Green Wall initiative, a Pan-African effort to combat desertification.
The project’s launch was facilitated by the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GiEPA) and has garnered significant government attention. President Adama Barrow visited the project site during his Meet the People Tour in November 2024, accompanied by GiEPA CEO Ousainou Senghore. President Barrow expressed his enthusiastic support for the initiative, stating:
“We are pleased to support this project through The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GiEPA), which aims to transform unproductive land into thriving and productive landscapes while creating significant amounts of plant oil to boost the local economy. This project not only provides food and energy security but will also help enable sustainable incomes for local farmers and create resilient climate-friendly agricultural and supply chain systems that can be replicated across the country and the wider region.”
The PHYLA-EcoHub collaboration is expected to generate extensive local employment opportunities, introduce educational and certification programs supported by various foundations, and enhance regional food, energy, and supply security.
This venture marks a pivotal step in sustainable development for Equatorial Africa, blending innovation, environmental stewardship, and socio-economic growth. The Gambia’s commitment to projects like these underscores its drive towards a greener and more prosperous future.