Rédaction Africa Links 24 with babucarr balajo
Published on 2024-03-14 08:35:53
Njie Charakh, the founder and CEO of Njie Charakh World Market, recently celebrated the graduation of 500 women who were trained in entrepreneurship. The graduation ceremony took place at the Friendship Hotel and was attended by members of the business community, government officials, and fellow businesswomen. This milestone came shortly after Njie Charakh World Market established entrepreneurship training schools in Basse and Farafenni.
Since its inception, Njie Charakh has been dedicated to training and empowering over 12,000 Gambian women, including widows, to equip them with the necessary skills to thrive as entrepreneurs. Njie himself faced challenges in building his business from the ground up, which inspired his commitment to empower Gambian women with the tools needed to transition from smallholder business owners to successful entrepreneurs.
Data collected from ten African countries reveals that male-owned enterprises have significantly more capital than female-owned enterprises, highlighting the barriers women face in accessing assets and obtaining loans to grow their businesses. Recognizing these challenges, especially the limited access to education and economic opportunities for Gambian women, Njie Charakh initiated a project to provide free training in business startups. Starting at Serekunda Lower Basic School, the project has now expanded to schools in Basse and Farafenni, with the goal of producing hundreds of female entrepreneurs in the future.
The recent inauguration of the first Njie Charakh World Market School of Basic Business and Entrepreneurial Skills in Basse was met with enthusiastic support from hundreds of businesswomen aiming to start or expand their businesses. Out of the 470 registered businesses, the first 100 women were immediately provided with half a million dalasi’s worth of merchandise to kickstart their entrepreneurial journey.
Njie Charakh emphasized that the graduation symbolizes a strong commitment from his foundation to build the capacity of women-owned businesses and empower women and youth to become self-employed. The training programs will cover various aspects of business, including basic concepts and skills, marketing strategies, financial literacy, business planning, and success stories to inspire and educate aspiring entrepreneurs.
Sheikh Ahmad Tijan B. Cherry, the Secretary General and Programme Officer of Njie Charakh World Market, praised Njie Charakh’s unique approach to education, allowing students to explore their passion for business. He highlighted the foundation’s humanitarian efforts in empowering women and supporting various community initiatives.
The CEO of Njie Charakh World Market, Moth Sarr, emphasized the importance of providing women with the necessary training and knowledge to succeed in business. Many of the women enrolled in the program had been running businesses for years but struggled to realize a significant profit due to the lack of proper training and support.
Muhammed M. Jallow, URR Environment Officer, commended Njie Charakh for his dedication to empowering Gambian women and youth, emphasizing the impact of empowering women on the broader community and economy. He acknowledged Njie Charakh’s contribution to complementing the government’s efforts in promoting women and youth empowerment as a key component of national development.
Overall, Njie Charakh’s commitment to empowering women in business is seen as a significant step towards addressing youth unemployment challenges and creating opportunities for Gambians to thrive without resorting to risky ventures. The foundation’s focus on providing practical skills and support to aspiring entrepreneurs is essential in building a sustainable and inclusive economy in The Gambia.
Read the original article on The Standard
