The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $92.71 million financing for The Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity Project (The Gambia RISE Project).

The five-year, multi-sectoral project aims to improve how The Gambia builds, protects, and utilises its human capital by improving education quality and access, enhancing access to employment opportunities, and expanding social protection for the most vulnerable.

“Specifically, it focuses on boosting foundational learning in early childhood education through grade 4, expanding access to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) aligned with labor market demands, and enhancing income generating opportunities for the poor and food-insecure.”

Jason Weaver, Senior Economist and Task Team Leader, highlighted the project’s dual focus within education. 

“The project aims to facilitate the entry of young individuals into the labour market through practical, high-quality vocational training. Concurrently, the goal is to strengthen early-grade literacy and numeracy, providing a solid foundation for Who We Are PRESS RELEASE MARCH 12, 2024,” World Bank said.

The Gambia RISE Project is expected to reach more than 272,000 beneficiaries, including youth, children, teachers, and poor, food insecure households; the multi sectorial project deploys a comprehensive approach to sustainably improve livelihoods and educational outcomes. 

“This project is critical for advancing our development objectives, in particular enhancing human capital outcomes in The Gambia.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba