On Thursday, July 2, 2026, Global Youth Innovation Network (GYIN) Gambia Chapter officially launched WIDU Africa activities in The Gambia with a one-day onboarding session for selected business coaches. Hosted at the organization’s Brusubi headquarters, the session equipped coaches to deliver tailored coaching and business growth support services to Gambian entrepreneurs under the WIDU Africa programme.
Between July 2026 and March 2027, twenty entrepreneurs will benefit from structured coaching, including three personalized visits each. These sessions will guide participants through the WIDU cycle, focusing on business planning, marketing, and financial management, while promoting sustainable job creation, income growth, and economic resilience.
WIDU Africa, implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the European Union, introduces an innovative co-financing model that leverages diaspora remittances to support micro and small enterprises (MSEs). Sponsored entrepreneurs can access grants of up to EUR 3,000 for their first application and up to EUR 5,000 for subsequent rounds.
Speaking at the onboarding, Mamadou Edrisa Njie, Executive Director of GYIN Gambia, emphasized that WIDU funding and coaching are provided entirely free of charge, underscoring the programme’s role in enhancing business performance and driving sustainable growth.
He noted that with GYIN Gambia at the forefront, WIDU Africa is poised to empower Gambian entrepreneurs by combining financial support with coaching, equipping them with the tools and strategies needed to succeed in today’s competitive business environment.
Till Schmeing, Advisor for the WIDU project at the GIZ Dakar Office, noted: “WIDU Africa supports job creation in Africa by redirecting remittances from the African diaspora in Europe into micro and small businesses of relatives or friends in participating African countries.”
Ms. Menggeh Lowe, Advisor for WIDU Africa in The Gambia, added: “Every business supported by WIDU participates in three free business coaching sessions tailored to their individual needs. Coaching is an integral part of the programme, ensuring that diaspora contributions are utilized effectively to unlock the economic and social potential of small businesses.”