Youth empowerment and transformation

Almost 60 % of the population of The Gambia is under the age of 25 . This is projected to persistently, against the current fertility rate which is estimated at 4 children per woman. The Gambia s youth unemployment rate for 2021 was 15.49 %, a 0.02 % increase from 2020 . Gambia youth unemployment rate for 2020 was 15.47 %, a 1.98 % increase from 2019

while the youthful population presents vast opportunities for the country, relevant challenges could escalate into crises if youths are not empowered and their potential not harnessed for national development initiatives.

The youthful population in The Gambia and across the region and the whole of Africa presents immense opportunities inform of labour supply, an expanding market and many other desirables that come with a young, energetic and vibrant population.

There is however a need for appropriate skilling and influencing mindsets of our youths for us to be able to derive value from them and empower them to make positive contribution to our societies. Failure on this will translate into adverse scenarios of having youths who are restless, whose expectations are unmet. This can result in social unrest and jeopardise national development interests when these youths get sucked into retrogressive engagements, against national progress objectives. A number of civil strife scenarios have manifested across Africa in recent times and they are related to this.

GAMCONSULT partners with government departments, civil society organizations as well as private sector players that aim to tap the potential of youths and enhance their contribution to the development of The Gambia, the region and all of Africa.