Tourism Ministry launches first MSMEs cohort of Accelerator Program

The Ministry of Tourism and Culture in The Gambia has launched the first-ever cohort of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Accelerator Program under the Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project. This program is aimed at enhancing entrepreneurship in the tourism sector by providing access to financial resources, market opportunities, and tailored business development support.

The launch event took place at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Hall on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone for the country’s tourism industry. The program is set to strengthen ecosystems and supply chains, particularly benefiting youth and women by fostering job creation within the sector.

Momodou Ceesay, Project Director of the Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project, emphasized the importance of the initiative, calling it a “milestone event.” He expressed the ministry’s commitment to working with the 60 MSMEs selected for the first cohort over the next three and a half years. “This project is designed to improve the capacity of MSMEs and position them to make a meaningful contribution to tourism in The Gambia,” said Ceesay. He further called on all partners to collaborate in ensuring the program’s success, noting that the project is funded by the World Bank.

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Hamid Gbawuru Marrah, Team Lead for the MSMEs Accelerator Program, celebrated the efforts of those who made it into the first cohort. “It has been a long journey, and today marks a new beginning for these businesses,” said Marrah.

Franklin Mutahakana, the World Bank Group’s Country Representative in The Gambia, praised MSMEs for their crucial role in driving economies. “MSMEs are the backbone of any economy, and this program provides the necessary support to enhance their capacity,” Mutahakana remarked. He highlighted the significance of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable growth, adding, “The private sector is an engine for development, and this accelerator program is the lubricant to help that engine run more smoothly.”

Cordu L. Jabang-Senghore, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, emphasized that MSMEs have been identified as a priority for economic development and job creation in the government’s Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (2023–2027). “Despite challenges like limited access to financial products and weak support networks, tourism-related MSMEs in The Gambia hold untapped potential for economic growth,” she said.

She concluded by stating that the Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project is on the right path to addressing MSME challenges and expanding their role in the tourism value chain. “This project will enable MSMEs to forge stronger ties with larger industry players, such as hotels and tour operators, creating opportunities for growth and innovation,” Jabang-Senghore added.

The program is set to support over 200 MSMEs, focusing on training, capacity building, and market access, helping to unlock the full potential of The Gambia’s tourism sector.