Gambiaj.com – BANJUL, The Gambia) – President Adama Barrow on Friday received a delegation of young Gambian entrepreneurs at the State House, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to supporting youth-led enterprises and strengthening Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a driver of economic transformation.
The delegation, operating under the umbrella of The Builders Association, described themselves as an emerging generation of private sector leaders seeking structured collaboration with government to unlock growth, create jobs, and accelerate sustainable development.
During the courtesy visit, the group highlighted the strategic role of PPPs in addressing challenges related to access to capital, land, labor, and markets—areas they said remain critical to scaling indigenous businesses.
Responding to the presentation, President Barrow encouraged the entrepreneurs to remain patient, resilient, and disciplined, stressing that young business leaders constitute the future backbone of The Gambia’s economy.
He assured the delegation of continued government support for youth-driven initiatives and local enterprises, noting that private sector participation is central to the successful implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP).
Builders Association Presents Economic Framework
According to a media brief, the meeting also served as the formal presentation of “The Builders Project,” a comprehensive economic stimulus and partnership framework designed to position The Gambia as a regional entrepreneurship hub.
Led by the Association’s Chairperson, Dr. Ismail Badjie, the delegation comprised over 50 entrepreneurs drawn from key sectors including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality, technology, petroleum, construction, and logistics.
Founded in 2025 by 35 Gambian business leaders, The Builders Association operates as a non-partisan platform committed to competence, integrity, and service in enterprise. The group says its proposal outlines measurable outcomes and transparent accountability mechanisms to deepen government–private sector collaboration.
Dr. Badjie told the meeting that the delegation came with “proof of concept,” pointing to businesses already in operation that are creating jobs and delivering services.
Data shared by the Association indicate that its members have collectively created more than 1,700 direct jobs and over 5,000 indirect jobs nationwide, with significant contributions to salary distribution, economic circulation, and healthcare service delivery.
Commitment to National Development
The delegation thanked President Barrow for fostering what they described as a supportive business environment and reaffirmed The Builders Association’s identity as a non-partisan body focused on translating national development goals into tangible economic outcomes.
They also welcomed continued engagement aligned with the objectives of the National Development Plan.
Reiterating their mission, the Association said it remains committed to collaboration, execution, and accountability as the foundations for building opportunity, strengthening enterprise, and contributing meaningfully to The Gambia’s economic future.
