The Youth and Trade Roadmap

The Youth and Trade Roadmap provides a blueprint that aims to tackle the root causes of irregular migration through increased job opportunities and income prospects for youth. In order to achieve this, the roadmap prioritizes those sectors that have the highest potential to generate decent jobs, but that are also appealing to today’s youth aspirations. The roadmap provides a vision for the country underpinned by concrete actions at both the national and the sector level, encapsulated in a series of three sector-specific strategies. These plans have been elaborated through a highly inclusive and participatory process involving a broad range of public, private and youth stakeholders.

Sector Specific Roadmap: Tourism

The richness of the natural and cultural assets found in the Gambian countryside can provide greater economics benefits beyond the coast. Tourism has a catalytic role in accelerating growth and employment opportunities to improve the welfare of the population and as such offers youth with prospects for selfemployment that are less accessible in other sectors.

The tourism roadmap focuses on the diversification of products, sustainable tourism and services to create opportunities for youth entrepreneurship and employment across the various segments of the value chain and regions of the country.

Sector Specific Roadmap: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

nnovation hubs are being established across Africa and the impact on the economy is already being realized. Youth who have the digital skills will have the opportunity to explore opportunities in the growing digital industries and develop ICT-enabled services in The Gambia and sub-region.

The ICT Roadmap thus focuses on managing sector diversification and building a relevant palette of skills nationally. Proper regulations need to accompany the digitalization of public services.