ISATOU SAIDY- 22329007

FROM HOBBY TO HUSTLE : How a Simple Skill Grew Into a Small Business

By: Isatou Saidy 22329007 Many successful businesses don’t begin with big plans or formal strategies. Sometimes, they start with something as simple as curiosity and that’s exactly how Isatou’s journey began. The Beginning: A Simple Fix At 15, Isatou wasn’t trying to become an entrepreneur. She only wanted to fix a small tear on her favourite skirt. The stitches weren’t perfect, but she enjoyed the process more than she expected. Soon, family members and neighbours began asking her for small sewing help, Before she realized it, she had become “the girl who can sew.” The Turning Point Everything changed when she attempted her first full outfit a beautiful boubou. She practiced for weeks, experimented with fabrics, and watched countless tutorials. When she finally wore it to school, she didn’t expect anything. By lunchtime, three people had asked, “Who made that for you?” When she proudly replied, “I did,” they encouraged her to start selling her designs. That weekend,...

From the Pitch to the People: How Gambian Footballers Abroad are Fueling the Nation’s Economy

By: Baboucarr Sey - 22329024 When Gambian footballers make it to Europe’s top leagues or the Middle East’s lucrative competitions, the cheers that follow them are not just about goals and trophies. Behind every match lies an economic story, one about how their earnings and remittances are quietly transforming families, communities, and even the national economy. From Yankuba Minteh dazzling in the English Premier League to Musa Barrow’s multimillion-euro move to Saudi Arabia and Omar Colley’s consistent presence in Europe, Gambian players abroad are proving that football is more than a game; it is an economic engine. Rising Stars, Rising Fortunes In the space of a decade, The Gambia has gone from being a minor footballing nation to a respected exporter of talent. Young players like Yankuba Minteh, Ebrima Darboe, Alieu Fadera, Musa Barrow, and Omar Colley now represent a generation that is not only raising the national flag high but also bringing tangible financial gains home. Yan...

Tourism Boosts Gambia’s Economy with Rising Visitor Numbers

By: Baboucarr Sey - 22329024 Tourism continues to play a critical role in The Gambia’s economy, generating foreign exchange, creating jobs, and supporting small businesses across the country, government officials and industry experts say. According to the Gambia Tourism Board (GTB), the sector contributes 15–20% of the nation’s GDP, with over 400,000 international visitors recorded in 2023, primarily from Europe. Visitors’ spending benefits hotels, restaurants, craft markets, and tour operators, injecting vital income into both urban and rural communities. “Tourism is a lifeline for our economy,” said Ms. Fatou Sanyang of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. “It creates employment for thousands of Gambians, from hotel staff and guides to taxi drivers and artisans.” Hotels and resorts employ thousands of staff in different roles ranging from chefs and cleaners to tour coordinators. Local entrepreneurs, such as Alieu Jallow, who operates boat tours in Kotu, report that tourism sustains t...

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