Boosting Economic Growth and Fostering Innovation in Rural Gambia through Entrepreneurship Training"

The Startup Incubator (SIG) is on a mission to stimulate economic growth, foster innovation and creativity, and build the next generation of entrepreneurs in Gambia. One way it is doing this is by reaching out to communities in rural areas, where access to resources and opportunities can be limited.

Recently, the SIG team traveled to the Upper River Region (URR) to conduct an entrepreneurship and design thinking bootcamp for a group of migrant returnees as part of the Voice of URR Migrants. The project is funded by the International Migration and Development Fund (IMVF) to provide support and opportunities to migrant returnees.

The five-day bootcamp focused on providing participants with the tools and knowledge they need to start and manage their own businesses. They learned best practices in managing their business and personal finances and how to make informed financial decisions.

The bootcamp also included design thinking sessions, which teaches entrepreneurs to empathize with their customers, define their needs, ideate solutions, prototype and test their product before launching. Design thinking is a powerful tool for innovation, which is important for businesses in rural areas that may face more challenges and have less access to resources.

Participants also learn about innovation and how to build product that stands out in the market. It is an opportunity for them to have new skills, knowledge and tools to improve their businesses and contribute to the economic growth of their communities.

The SIG team is committed to making innovation available to rural communities in Gambia and empowering entrepreneurs to drive economic growth and create jobs. This bootcamp is just one way they are working to achieve this goal, under the Tekkiffii Project.

In conclusion, the Startup Incubator is playing a vital role in fostering innovation, creativity and building the next generation of entrepreneurs in Gambia, particularly in rural areas. The bootcamp in the Upper River Region is an excellent example of this, providing migrant returnees with the tools, knowledge and skills they need to start and manage their own businesses, contributing to the economic growth of their communities. And the support from IMVF is the key to make this possible.