Skip to main content
Menu

Setting up a business

Training in agriculture

Do you want to become self-employed in agriculture? Or do you already have a farming business that you’d like to expand? Then apply for the “Agriculture and Entrepreneurship” training course!

It’s where you’ll learn business and soft skills.

The training course is mostly intended for young people and women. Its goal is to make more young people and women self-employed within agriculture.

The content of the training course includes:

  • Support with business development
  • Developing and creating products
  • Knowledge in packaging technologies
  • The basics of marketing

This training course is organised by the Gambian-German Advisory Centre for Jobs, Training and Reintegration (GGAC) together with the Global Youth Innovation Network.

You are welcome to contact the GGAC on site, by phone or online for further information.

Worth knowing The training is provided throughout The Gambia at different times and in different places. Many of the training courses are also provided online. Please contact the centre for exact details. The training course lasts between 2 and 5 days. It takes place from June 2023 onwards. English free of charge Young people, women and returnees 18 – 35 Requirements: You’ll need to apply if you’d like to take part. Participants will be selected from these applications.
More Information

A cost-free co-working space

Are you looking for somewhere to be able to study, work or hold meetings in peace? Then come to our cost-free co-working space!   

Everyone is welcome here:

  • Students
  • Freelancers
  • Job seekers
  • Entrepeneurs
  • People starting a business
  • Anyone who needs a quiet place to learn and work

Our co-working space is a comfortable and inspiring place to read, learn, work, meet people and network. A wireless network and computers are available to use free of charge.   

The co-working space is within walking distance of The Gambia’s main commercial and industrial hub.  

You are welcome to contact the GGAC on site, by phone or online for further information.

Worth knowing the Gambian-German Advisory Centre for Jobs, Training and Reintegration (GGAC) in Serrekunda Opening hours: the co-working space is open during the same opening hours as the GGAC. free of charge
More Information

Reintegration Assistance

Are you looking for a job or thinking of changing jobs?  
Then you are welcome to contact the Gambian-German Advisory Centre for Jobs, Training and Reintegration (GGAC)

The GGAC can help you to find a job. It can refer you to employers and advise you on job changes and advanced training.

Would you like to start your own business?  
The GGAC is also happy to give advice about starting a business. 

For more information, please contact the GGAC locally, by phone or online.

Worth knowing
More Information

Starting well prepared

The "StartHope@Home" project by "Social Impact" prepares Gambians for starting a business in their native country. 

The offer:

  • Individual advice
  • Coaching in groups
  • Socio-educational support

Training courses are held in Berlin, Bonn, Bremen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Cologne, the Rhine-Main region, Stuttgart and Munich. 
Other regions are also possible on request. The offer also includes further accompaniment in Gambia.

Worth knowing
More Information

Financial support and advice

The National Association of Cooperative Credit Unions of The Gambia (NACCUG) helps with financial matters.

You can take part in training offered by NACCUG if you are setting up a business. In the training you will learn, for example, how to write a business plan.

NACCUG also awards loans to young businesses. In order to get a loan, you will need another business to vouch for your reliability.

You will have to pay a fee for many of NACCUG's services.

Worth knowing Go to website
More Information

Help with starting a business

The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is a network of businesses. GCCI offers a range of training and financial help for start-ups.

It also has a crowdfunding website, where you can raise money and find support for your business.

You can become a member of GCCI.
You will find more information on the website. If you have any questions or would like to apply, please call on the phone, send an email or Facebook message.

Worth knowing Go to website
More Information

Young, motivated start-ups

The Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce (GYCC) is run by young people. It helps young start-ups. It offers a range of training.

In the training courses, you will learn, for example, how to package your products more attractively and sell them more effectively.

GYCC organises markets and trade fairs in rural regions. These enable you to advertise and sell your products even if you live in a rural area.

You can become a member of GYCC for a small fee. Training is free of charge to members. You will find more information on Facebook. You are also welcome to call if you have any questions.

Worth knowing Go to website
More Information

Small businesses and tourism

The Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Responsible Tourism (ASSERT) provides support to people with a small business. At ASSERT, you will get to know other people with businesses. You can talk together about your experiences.

ASSERT organises the Gambia’s Good Market, where you can sell your products to tourists. This enables you to make them aware of your business.

If your business or company is in a rural region, ASSERT gives you the opportunity to take a trip to the city, where you can learn from other successful business.

You will have to pay a fee for many of ASSERT's services. You can find more information on the website.

Worth knowing Go to website
More Information

For start-ups in rural areas

The Global Youth Innovation Network (GYIN) in the Gambia supports young entrepreneurs in rural areas.
Do you have a business idea? Or do you want to get a project up and running? GYIN staff can advise you. They have a programme that will support you over a longer period with setting up your own business. GYIN also runs summer courses.

Each year, GYIN presents an award for the best business and project ideas in rural areas.

You can find information on the services GYIN offers in the Gambia on the website or on Facebook.

Worth knowing Go to website
More Information

Turning your idea into a business

Startup Incubator Gambia (SIG) supports people with business ideas.
SIG offers you six months of advisory services or short regional boot camps. You will learn how to turn your idea into a business. That includes courses in finance and marketing.

SIG also supports start-ups in the agricultural sector.

SIG provides a platform for you to talk and share information with other start-ups. You can work together on your ideas.

You will find more information on the website.

Worth knowing Go to website
More Information

Advisory services for your business

The National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI) offers advice on:

  • starting a business
  • managing a business.

For example, NEDI can help you to write a business plan. It has a range of training courses for entrepreneurs. NEDI also offers financial support for women and young people wanting to start a business.

Simply drop in to the NEDI office. It is open every day.

Worth knowing Go to website
More Information

Starting your own business

Empretec Gambia is a United Nations (UN) programme. It is supported by the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA).

You can apply to take part in the programme if you have a business idea. Empretec will then help you with the steps involved in setting up your own business. For example, you will learn how to write a business plan. Your advisor will continue to support you for up to six months after you have completed the programme.

A number of training courses are designed specially for women. You will find more information on the website.

Worth knowing Go to website
More Information

Beauty, wellness, fashion and starting a business

The Gaye Njorro School of Hairdressing & Beauty Cosmetology is a training centre offering courses for different kinds of work in the beauty, wellness and fashion sectors. You can do a training in:

  • hairdressing
  • cosmetics
  • manicure
  • massage therapy
  • fashion design.

There are also courses to help you start your own business.

Gaye Njorro School is a nationally accredited institution offering particular support to young women and men. Information on the individual training courses can be found on the website. Please just send an email or call on the phone if you have any questions.

Worth knowing Go to website
More Information
Load more