Giving Women Entrepreneurs a Fair Shot at Government Contracts in The Gambia
Women entrepreneurs globally own one-third of businesses but receive only 1% of public contracts. The situation in The Gambia mirrors this disparity, with women facing limited access to information, complex tendering processes, and structural barriers that hinder their ability to compete for government contracts.
Recognizing this challenge, the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with the Government of The Gambia and key stakeholders, have launched two significant initiatives to empower women entrepreneurs:
The Public Procurement Guide for Women Entrepreneurs equips women with the knowledge and tools necessary to compete for and secure government contracts. This comprehensive guide simplifies procurement processes, outlining the rules, requirements, and strategies essential for success.
Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Baboucarr O. Joof, emphasizes the guide’s importance, stating, “It is designed to serve as a vital resource, offering clear guidance on the purpose, scope, and application of public procurement law and regulations in The Gambia.”
Ngoneh Panneh, ITC Senior Technical Coordinator in The Gambia, highlights the guide’s significance for women entrepreneurs and SMEs, stating, “This guide will serve as a critical tool, helping them navigate government tenders and access opportunities that were previously out of reach.”
Developed under the ITC SheTrades Initiative with support from the European Union Youth Empowerment Project and GIZ, the guide was produced in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, which hosts the SheTrades Gambia Hub.
The #GambiaPrivateSector4Equality campaign aims to mobilize businesses to drive tangible progress in advancing women’s rights, health, and economic participation. This initiative seeks to foster a corporate culture that prioritizes gender equality.
UNFPA Country Representative, Rose Sarr, emphasizes the importance of championing women’s health and rights while strategically investing in women-led businesses to fuel economic progress and create inclusive communities.
Fatoumata Jawara Dukureh, CEO of Maa Group and chairperson of the Women Business Advocacy Group, reaffirms the commitment to advancing women’s rights and economic participation. She stresses the need to create an ecosystem where women thrive without barriers and where the private sector becomes a catalyst for inclusion.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.
