Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The 8th Stake in the Nation Forum (SNF) is set to take place on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo. This annual event, now a cornerstone of national and diaspora engagement, provides a platform for Gambians to interact with the government and other key stakeholders on advancing the country’s development agenda.

Since its inception in 2018, the Stake in the Nation Forum has served as a vital consultative event where Gambian diaspora groups collaborate with government ministries, departments, agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society organizations (CSOs). The goal is to contribute meaningfully to formal policy development and practical implementation, fostering partnerships and solutions for sustainable progress.

The brainchild of Professor Gibril Faal, a London School of Economics (LSE) professor and project director of the Migration and Sustainable Development in The Gambia (MSDG) project, SNF has grown to become a permanent fixture on the calendars of Gambians worldwide. Professor Faal, who is also the co-founder and director of GK Partners, specializes in sustainable development, socially responsible business models, and program implementation.

Each forum gathers Gambians from diverse socio-economic and political backgrounds, including academics, professionals, youth, and women leaders, alongside members of diaspora organizations. Last year’s event, SNF7, recorded over 1,000 registrations and 705 attendees, an increase from the 550 who attended SNF6. Notably, about 10% of the participants in SNF7 were academics, reflecting a higher-than-usual turnout due to its focus on higher education.

The forum is organized in collaboration with nearly 50 organizations, networks, and institutions. These include diaspora networks supporting irregular migrants and those in distress, as well as Gambian stakeholders like TANGO, the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), youth and women chambers of commerce, the National Youth Council, and the Banker Association.

The 8th edition of the forum promises to continue this tradition, bringing Gambians together for robust discussions and actionable outcomes to advance the nation’s development priorities.