Eighteen women entrepreneurs have received a total of US $300,000 in small business grants, leading to significant growth and job creation within just three months.
Administered by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the program provided recipients with business coaching, digital and financial literacy courses, and access to e-payment systems and the Afrijula e-commerce platform.
Isatou Njie, CEO of Gambricks, praised the holistic support system provided by the grant, which enabled her business to invest in new machinery, increasing brick production by 25%.
Other success stories include K Creations, a clothing maker, that transitioned to solar power, Yaxare, a herbal tea producer, and Dignified, a fashion designer, now operating 70% of their machines on solar power, saving significant costs on electricity.
The grants were awarded through the Jobs, Skills, and Finance (JSF) Programme, a collaboration between ITC and UNCDF, facilitated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment.
Representatives from various Gambian chambers and agencies, including GWCC, GCCI, GIEPA, and GYCC, formed the grant committee, ensuring a comprehensive and effective selection process.
Kemo, representing the Ministry of Trade, highlighted the impact of the grants in upgrading machinery, expanding operations, and launching new product lines for women entrepreneurs.
The JSF model, known for its effectiveness, fostered collaboration in entrepreneurship and business development, with a focus on youth and women’s economic empowerment.
Yusupha Keita, technical advisor for the JSF Programme, emphasized ITC’s commitment to ensuring a positive impact on women-owned businesses and socioeconomic development in The Gambia.
