The Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) has selected 20 young entrepreneurs, including 12 females and eight males, for an eight-month business incubation programme under the Kanifing Migrant Resilience Hub Project, aimed at supporting migrant returnees and young people to develop sustainable businesses, create employment opportunities and rebuild their livelihoods in The Gambia.
The selected participants were welcomed during an orientation programme attended by council officials, representatives of Startup Incubator Gambia (SIG), project stakeholders, consultants and members of the media.
Speaking at the event, Project Manager Omar Marena said the project received 504 applications, comprising 404 online submissions and 100 hard-copy applications, demonstrating strong demand for entrepreneurship support among young people, particularly migrant returnees.
He explained that the selection process involved three screening phases and interviews to ensure fairness and identify applicants with viable business ideas and the commitment to complete the programme.
The initial screening reduced the number of applicants to 208, followed by 102 after the second assessment. A further review shortlisted 60 candidates, comprising 34 females and 26 males, before the final selection of 20 beneficiaries.
Applicants were assessed based on eligibility, business viability, market demand, financial feasibility, growth potential, resilience, motivation and willingness to learn.
Marena said the proposed businesses covered several sectors, including agriculture, fashion design, construction, transport, retail, agribusiness, tailoring and catering. He thanked KMC, SIG and other stakeholders for their support in implementing the initiative.
Representing SIG, Mohammed Danso said the organisation would provide tailored business training, coaching and mentorship throughout the eight-month programme.
He explained that participants would develop business models, marketing strategies, financial literacy skills and bankable business plans. “They would also receive individual coaching, engage experienced entrepreneurs and connect with potential customers, buyers and suppliers.”
Danso added that sector-specific experts and relevant institutions would help participants understand industry challenges and comply with requirements relating to business registration, taxation and food safety.
The Chief Executive Officer of KMC described the initiative as the council’s first project specifically designed to support migrant returnees. He said each beneficiary would be eligible to receive in-kind seed funding of up to US$3,000 at the end of the programme to support business establishment or expansion.
He also highlighted the provision of psychosocial support and an on-site childcare centre to help participants, particularly parents, focus on developing their businesses while accessing essential social services.
In his keynote address, the mayor of KMC Talib Ahmed Bensouda, urged the beneficiaries to use the opportunity to build successful businesses at home and avoid undertaking dangerous irregular migration journeys in search of better prospects.
He highlighted proposed ventures in waste collection, delivery services, tailoring, car painting, catering, hairdressing and fashion design, noting that successful businesses could create jobs, support local enterprises and contribute to the municipality’s economic development.
Mayor Bensouda assured participants that the council believed in their potential and encouraged them to remain committed throughout the programme. He expressed hope that their businesses would grow, employ others and inspire future beneficiaries.
The orientation also featured brief remarks from migrant returnee Tida Kante.
The project seeks to strengthen economic reintegration by combining entrepreneurship development with practical business support and social services. Through its partnership with SIG, KMC hopes to help the selected participants establish sustainable livelihoods and contribute to local development.
