By Fatou Krubally
SOS Children’s Villages The Gambia has brought together young entrepreneurs, business stakeholders and potential partners through a green business pitching and networking event aimed at promoting sustainable entrepreneurship and supporting emerging businesses.
The event, held at the SOS Children’s Villages Professional Training and Production Centre near Amsterdam Junction, featured three young entrepreneurs who presented their business ideas before a panel of judges and invited stakeholders.
The programme was organised under the Community Strengthening through Green Economy and Education (CSGEE) Project, funded through the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The pitching session formed part of the organisation’s Green Business Incubation Programme, which provides young entrepreneurs with training and coaching in business planning, financial management, legal compliance, sustainability and investment readiness.
Project Coordinator Elizabeth Joof Ndong said the event marked another milestone in efforts to strengthen green entrepreneurship and provide young people with practical support to develop sustainable businesses.
She said the second batch of participants had benefited from coaching, mentoring and exposure to successful green enterprises and regulatory institutions.
The event also provided the entrepreneurs with an opportunity to showcase their businesses and engage potential investors and partners who could support their growth.
Among the businesses featured was Kingsway Elite Farm, a poultry venture founded by Omar Suwaneh.
Suwaneh said his poultry farming business started with 10 chicks and had grown to a current capacity of 100 broilers.
He said the business supplies live birds and dressed chicken to households, restaurants and other customers.
The farm also uses poultry waste to produce organic manure, which Suwaneh described as part of the business’s approach to reducing waste and creating additional value.
As part of the event, each of the three incubatees received D25,000 in start-up support to strengthen their businesses and implement their plans.
SOS Children’s Villages Managing Director Jean-Pierre Kouamin said the organisation was encouraged by the progress made by participants in its incubation programme.
He said the first batch of the programme supported about 127 young people, with 66 subsequently starting businesses in areas including catering, tailoring, construction, electrical installation, plumbing, solar energy, mechanics, hairdressing and event planning.
Kouamin said the programme was designed to help young people become economically independent and develop businesses capable of supporting their livelihoods.
The event brought together representatives of government and regulatory institutions, business stakeholders, judges, entrepreneurs and their families.
Following the presentations, judges deliberated on the business ideas, while the entrepreneurs showcased their products and businesses to guests.
The organisers said the initiative was intended to support young entrepreneurs while creating practical links between emerging businesses, investors and potential partners.