Strengthening Youth Employment in The Gambia’s Land Sector

From 3–4 June 2025, Banjul hosted a multi-stakeholder dialogue addressing a pressing issue in The Gambia: the employment prospects of graduates in the land governance sector. Organised by the GIZ–SLGA Programme in collaboration with the NELGA Anglophone West Africa Node, the two-day forum brought together representatives from academia, government, the private sector, and civil society to develop practical solutions for bridging the gap between higher education and the demands of the labour market.

Opening the event, Prof Herbert Robinson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of The Gambia, emphasised the institution’s contribution to the sector since 2010. “Land without capacity is useless,” he noted, underlining the importance of combining knowledge with practical skills to tackle Africa’s land challenges.

A recent labour market study, commissioned by GIZ-SLGA, was presented and discussed. The study revealed a misalignment between academic training and employer expectations, prompting calls for curriculum reform, stronger institutional linkages, and enhanced support for youth entrepreneurship.

Breakout sessions enabled different stakeholder groups to reflect on their roles and propose actionable recommendations at policy, institutional, and individual levels. Regional opportunities and good practices were also explored, contributing to the development of a roadmap for improved youth employability in the land sector.

This initiative marks a step towards aligning education with national development in The Gambia.