By: Fatou Krubally
Gambia’s Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, reading a statement on behalf of the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, has announced that the government plans to create 150,000 decent jobs by the end of 2026.
Speaking during the May Day 2025 celebration, the minister said the goal is part of the National Employment Policy and Action Plan (2022–2026), which aims to tackle both unemployment and underemployment in the country.
“This is a collective action, and we must all embrace it,” he told workers and guests at the event.
He said the government is focused on creating job opportunities through formal apprenticeships, internships, and permanent contracts, especially in key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, services, agro-processing, and digital technology.
The minister also revealed that efforts are underway to support the transformation of the informal economy into formal, more stable employment. According to him, the government wants every worker to have access to fair conditions, job security, and growth opportunities.
He emphasized the importance of social dialogue, union formation, and decentralization of industrial tribunals to ensure justice and protection for all workers. “We have decentralized industrial tribunals to give people access to industrial justice,” he said.
As part of this plan, Dr. Ceesay said the ministry has also developed the Digital Labor Skill Methodology, an eCommerce policy, and a digital entrepreneurship ecosystem to prepare the workforce for future opportunities in the digital economy.
The minister said the Gambia’s future depends on collective commitment from all stakeholders, including employers, unions, and the government.
With this employment policy, the government hopes to lay the groundwork for a more productive, fair, and inclusive labour market for all Gambians.
