The Gambia has secured 14 nominations for the 2026 Zikomo Africa & Caribbean Awards, marking the first time Gambian personalities have been nominated for the Pan-African awards.

The nominees span politics, entertainment, media, literature, entrepreneurship and philanthropy, placing Gambian talent on a continental platform alongside nominees from across Africa and the Caribbean.

The Zikomo Africa & Caribbean Awards were established in 2021 in Lusaka, Zambia, to recognise achievements in entertainment, governance, philanthropy, media and social impact. The platform has since expanded across Africa and the Caribbean diaspora.

The 2026 awards ceremony is scheduled for 9 December 2026 at the Superdome in Masaki, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Public voting is due to open on 5 October and close on 3 December 2026.

Gambian nominees

The Gambian nominees and their categories are:

Hon. Yankuba Darboe– Best Zikomo Government Official of the Year; Best Zikomo Philanthropy of the Year

Mariama Colley – Best Zikomo Actress of the Year; Best Zikomo Radio Host of the Year

Hon. Talib Ahmed Bensouda – Best Zikomo Social Impact Initiative of the Year; Best Zikomo Lifetime Achievement of the Year

Hon. Seedy S.K. Njie – Best Zikomo Member of Parliament of the Year

Mariam Jobe – Best Zikomo New Artist of the Year

Jizzle – Best Zikomo Male Artist of the Year

Saul Frazer – Best Zikomo Entrepreneur of the Year; Best Zikomo Impact Man of the Year

Sadio Mane La Muso – Best Zikomo Scriptwriter of the Year; Best Zikomo Comedian of the Year

Nyancho – Best Zikomo Song of the Year

Juldeh Njie – Best Zikomo TV Personality of the Year

Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe – Best Zikomo Author of the Year

Zainab Musa Darboe – Best Zikomo Philanthropy of the Year

Aisha Gambia – Best Zikomo Social Media Influencer of the Year

Rohey Camara – Best Zikomo Actress of the Year

The nominations cover a broad cross-section of Gambian public life, from elected officials and a sitting mayor to musicians, actors, writers, media personalities, entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

Organisers say the awards provide nominees with promotional opportunities and exposure to wider African and diaspora audiences.

Gambian nominees and supporters will be able to participate in the public voting process when voting opens on 5 October 2026 through the Zikomo Awards website.