As part of Gambia’s 60th Independence anniversary celebrations, President Adama Barrow has announced the disbursement of D396,761,321.50 in scholarships under the Skills, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (SIE) Fund Training Grants. The initiative will support 25 public and private Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
The program is part of the Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity (RISE) project, funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology. Its aim is to equip Gambian youth with the skills needed to contribute to the country’s socio-economic growth.
Speaking at the launch event, President Barrow emphasized his government’s dedication to youth empowerment through education. Each scholarship will include $400 per student for tuition and stipends, with additional financial support for students in regional TVET centers to cover transportation and accommodation costs.
To ensure the success of the initiative, the government plans to implement a strict monitoring system to achieve an 80% employability rate among beneficiaries. Barrow highlighted that the ultimate goal is to reduce unemployment among the country’s youth and women.
