By Olimatou Coker
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE), has launched a two-day training to strengthen labour migration governance and build the capacity of key stakeholders in The Gambia. The workshop, held at Bakadaji Hotel and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), brought together 30 participants from government, recruitment agencies, labour unions, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, and civil society.
Government officials say The Gambia is a source, transit and destination country for migrant workers. While migration provides livelihood opportunities, Gambian workers face risks including irregular migration, unethical recruitment, labour exploitation and limited access to protection and support services.
Mamadi Dampha, Deputy Permanent Secretary at MoTIE, said stronger labour migration governance protects migrants, maximizes the benefits of mobility and advances sustainable development. He pointed to the National Migration Policy 2020–2030 and the Labour Migration Strategy as the government’s roadmap for safe, orderly and regular migration.
“This workshop is designed to close implementation gaps,” Dampha said. “Over the next two days we will focus on practical steps to advance the national agenda: improving governance, promoting ethical recruitment, matching skills to labour market needs, and strengthening reintegration support.”
Dampha urged participants — policymakers, unions, recruitment agencies and training institutions — to engage candidly and produce actionable recommendations. He said IOM’s role is to facilitate knowledge exchange and support implementation.
Sibgha Ajaz, IOM Gambia Officer-in-Charge, said the Labour Migration Strategy prioritizes stronger institutions, improved migration data, expanded skills development and social protection, better use of remittances, and sustainable reintegration. “Well-governed labour migration can drive development for individuals, families and communities,” she said. The IOM-led training aims to deepen multi-stakeholder dialogue and strengthen capacity for effective governance.
Officials noted migration’s significant economic impact. The Central Bank of The Gambia reported record diaspora remittances of about USD 872.85 million in 2025, equal to roughly 31.5 percent of GDP. The Gambia Labour Force Survey (Q1 2026) estimated 186,491 international migrants in the country during the first quarter, underscoring The Gambia’s role as origin, transit and destination and the need for robust migration governance.
IOM said it will continue supporting the government to translate national and regional commitments into results, including improving labour migration data systems, expanding skills-matching and mobility pathways, and ensuring access to protection and reintegration services across the migration cycle.
Ndumbeh Saho, Director of Diaspora Migration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also addressed the workshop.