GREEN Gambia: GReen and sustainable Economic growth in Eco-tourism with New jobs in the Gambia

Continent: Africa

The Gambia, one of Africa’s smallest yet most densely populated nations, is undergoing significant political and economic reforms aimed at strengthening democracy, fostering socio-economic progress, and addressing challenges related to sustainable growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To support these efforts, CINOP, Liceul Tehnologic Hârlău, Gambia Songhai Initiative of  the Ministry of Youth and Sport and Gambia College – through the EU-funded Erasmus+ GREEN Gambia project – are working together to support job creation in eco tourism and agri processing. The project addresses key challenges such as an undiversified economy, high youth unemployment, food waste in agriculture, and an over-reliance on seasonal tourism.

EU support for sustainable development in the Gambia

The European Union (EU) has aligned its geopolitical priorities with The Gambia’s development agenda. The EU’s Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (2021-2027) identifies five key priorities, two of which serve as reference points for the GREEN Gambia project:

  • Promoting a Green Gambia: ensuring sustainable environmental and natural resource management, vital for The Gambia’s agriculture- and tourism-dependent economy. This also presents opportunities for green job creation.
  • Africa-EU alliance for sustainable growth and job creation: Preserving and valorising the environment and biodiversity and better managing natural resources will be key for achieving this, along with social protection. In a country where un- or underemployment is prevalent, this is crucial in addressing one of the causes of migration.

The role of agriculture and tourism in economic growth

The G.R.E.E.N. GAMBIA project focuses on two key economic sectors: agriculture (including horticulture) and tourism. These sectors face specific challenges:

  • Agriculture and Horticulture: The EU’s “Farm to Fork” strategy is particularly relevant for The Gambia, where significant food loss occurs during harvesting seasons. Up to 50% of crops are wasted, despite high food demand in coastal areas. Promoting sustainable food processing, reducing food waste, and improving supply chain efficiency are key project objectives.
  • Tourism: Although tourism is an economic driver, the sector remains fragile due to seasonal dependency (limited to six months), over-reliance on international tour operators, and poor integration with local value chains. For instance, over 70% of food consumed in hotels and restaurants is imported. Enhancing sustainable tourism, diversifying tourism offerings (e.g., eco-tourism, cultural tourism, community-based tourism also upcountry, etc.), and better integrating it with other local value chains in particular agriculture will lengthen the tourism season, create new job opportunities, and improve wage conditions.

Project objectives and impact

The primary goal of GREEN Gambia is to support The Gambia’s ambition of green, sustainable economic growth, focusing on job creation and business expansion in eco-tourism and horticulture. Specifically, the project aims to:

  1. Enhance TVET capacity
    • Deliver demand-oriented and opportunity-driven VET courses;
    • Strengthen resilience and responsiveness to economic developments.
    • Align VET provision to the national development strategies.
  2. Improve TVET course content and training quality
    • Enrich curricula with skills relevant to new job opportunities.
    • Enhance trainer competencies and pedagogical approaches.
  3. Encourage job creation and entrepreneurship
    • Create new employment opportunities in the eco-tourism and horticulture value chains.
    • Support self-employment and expanding small businesses.
    • Facilitate cooperation between TVET institutions and industry partners.

Implementation and expected outcomes

Through strong collaboration between TVET institutions, private sector actors, and local communities, the GREEN Gambia project will lead to:

  • creating six new start-ups, of which 50% are women led;
  • generating over 100 new direct and indirect jobs in eco-tourism and horticulture;
  • developing and implementing four new TVET courses aligned with sustainable economic opportunities;
  • establishing formal partnerships between industry and educational institutions to ensure long-term impact.

Additionally, by integrating sustainable agricultural practices with diversified tourism opportunities, the project will drive inclusive economic development, reduce migration pressures, and create a greener, more resilient future for The Gambia.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Erasmus+ programme. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The GREEN Gambia is developed and implemented by

  1. CINOP – Enhancing education and training quality through consultancy, research, and project management services, focusing on vocational education, lifelong learning, inclusion, and digital technologies.
  2. Liceul Technologic Harlau – Capacity strenghtening and TVET curriculum development.
  3. Gambia Songhai Initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sport – . TVET implementation, Farmers Field school
  4. Gambia College– School of Agri culture and skills development.

Read more about the project:

For more information about the project:

  • Wilco Visscher