It is a new Gambia and women entrepreneurs are not taking anything for granted in leading Gambia’ s new business ecosystem. In recent years we have seen women rise above and succeed in places and avenues they were once denied access. In the smiling coast of Africa, a new era has dawned – the new era for Gambian women Entrepreneurship. Young women entrepreneurs in particular are looking forward to less stringent laws that would allow for growth in the domestic market and eventually the international market.
We had the pleasure of interviewing two young Gambian entrepreneurs whose designs and fabrics are strictly Afrocentric. Despite the unprecedented ifs and buts that crossed their paths, these two women pushed through and decided to follow their dreams. Rose Fatou Manga and Ndey Fatou Njie are making waves in the fashion industry and below is a detailed interview we had with these phenomenal women.
What
is your name and what part of The Gambia are you from?
Ndey Fatou Njie from Kanifing, The Gambia.
How old are you?
In my twenties
What is the name of your business and what services do you offer?
TiGA swimwear is the first swimwear brand in The Gambia. We use African wax fabric to make swimwear, leisurewear and accessories.
TiGA produces a variety of products ranging from swimwear, sunhats, neck ties, bow ties, shorts, mobile phone cases, multipurpose mats, menu covers, caps, woolly hats and so much more all made from African wax material sold at Coco Ocean Resort.
TiGA’s goal is to have a positive impact and role in the community. We aim to inspire young people esp. girls to believe in themselves and have confidence in their own body shapes. TiGA swimwear has already started work on this. I am the winner of Youth of the Month 2016. I support charities such as One Heart Gambia, Young Mums of the Gambia, JCMF. I am also a member of WING – Women’s International Networking Group, TAF Club Ten and Global Shaper Hub Banjul. I want TiGA to put The Gambia on the map and create jobs in the future of not only hundreds of employees but thousands. I wish to train young girls to train and acquire the skills that I have acquired over the years.
How did your desire to become an entrepreneur come about?
For Gambians living in our capital, days spent at the beach and the many pools are a Sunday routine. And as we pride ourselves on the vibrant colors of African wax fabric, we lack locally handmade clothing that isn’t for ceremonial or traditional purposes. In 2016, I realized a gap in The Gambian market for unique, Gambian made authentic swimwear. While I started making samples for myself, I would wear them when I go swimming. A new venture, using African Wax Fabric to produce swimwear called TiGA Swimwear was born.
What are some of the challenges or obstacles you faced when starting off and are those challenges still an issue?
Financial constraints
Trying to establish a brand
Dealing with the unknown (How long will your business exist? How profitable will your business be? Will customers like your product? Will you be able to give yourself a steady pay check?)
What kept your drive going when you were at your lowest point?
There are different factors that keep me going when I am at my lowest. Things such as I want to be financially independent, I want to give back and set a good example to the younger generation, I want to put The Gambia on the map internationally.
How conducive do you think the economy in Gambia is for potential entrepreneurs?
The economy is very conducive. There are many opportunities for young people to get involved in business. Whether it’s developing a new idea, service or product or taking an existing business idea and doing it so much better. There is much that young people can do in this country. We need to change our mind-set in this culture. You cannot sit and fold your hands and wait for riches to be delivered. You have to go out and sweat, work for what you want.
What advice do you have for young Gambians that are daring to dream about a better future?
My advice to young entrepreneurs is not to accept defeat when faced with odds and challenges. Challenge negative odds with self- confidence, hope and conviction. You can’t use up creativity, the more you use the more you have. Let’s support each other, create together, share together, work and succeed together. No one has ever achieved their level of success on their own.
As you know, Gambia has been ushered into a new era, what policies are you hoping the new government will put in place to ensure that young entrepreneurs like yourself get all the help they need to further grow their business?
- Actively ensuring a good environment for start-up businesses
- Easier entry into the markets
- Help with Tax reforms so that businesses are not burdened with paying taxes
- Ensure that information about funds and opportunities are communicated fairly so that everyone can have equal access to them.
- Improve education
- Providing wider opportunities
- Help with the banks to provide assistance to young entrepreneurs
- Buy from Your own, support Gambian businesses.
- We the young people want a Gambia that is free and fair. Equal opportunities for both women and men. We want a type of leadership that is suitable for The Gambia we want. We want our needs to be a priority whenever the new Government is making new policies especially those that concern the youths. We want a leadership that thinks about serving rather than been served.
Rose Fatou Manga 
What is your name and what part of The Gambia are you from?
My name is Rose Fatou Manga, I am from Old Jeshwang (Kombo Saint Mary Division)
How old are you?
I am 26 years old
What is the name of your business and what services do you offer?
The name of my business is RozAfriq. I rebrand, customize products using African fabric “Wax”. Now I have gone the extra mile to recycle items such as plastic bottles, newspapers, old clothes, just to name a few.
How did your desire to become an entrepreneur come about?
This desire came about two years ago when I was covering my old shoes with fabric. I have always wanted to own my business and this looked like a great opportunity. Looking at young youths leaving the country through the “backway” and losing their precious lives gave me the zeal to officially make my business known and show them that there are lots of opportunities. It is important for young Gambians to exercise patience and discover their talents.
What are some of the challenges or obstacles you faced when starting off and are those challenges still an issue?
My main challenge currently is Finance and Equipments and yes it is still a challenge. Even though it is a challenge, I am making my way through. The pleasure is in the fact that I know this what I want to do.
What kept your drive going when you were at your lowest point?
At my lowest point, people that have used my products appreciate it and the comments i receive aere just beautiful. Most people usually tell me “oh your shoes look beautiful, I love them or I will come again”. These words encourage me to push harder and put in more effort.
How conducive do you think the economy in Gambia is for potential entrepreneurs?
The economy is very conducive for potential entrepreneurs. This can only happen if the entrepreneur is really serious and dedicated to what he or she is doing. It will never be easy at the beginning but with determination and focus it should be fine.
What advice do you have for young Gambians that are daring to dream about a better future?
My advice young Gambian is to never stop dreaming, always dream big. Never ever give up when you feel as though things are not going the way you want them to. This might be a test of faith and level of commitment. They should also have at least one thing that keeps pushing them to strive for better things.
As you know, Gambia has been ushered into a new era, what policies are you hoping the new government will put in place to ensure that young entrepreneurs like yourself get all the help they need to further grow their business?
I am hoping that the new government will consider us as young business men and women growing up. The government should be able to help us get to where we want to be, providing us with the necessary assistance, patronize our products, enable young entrepreneurs better entry ways into the market. Most of these budding businesses will come a long way in creating unemployment and possibly reducing the rate at which youths are venturing on the journey by boat to the Mediterranean otherwise known as the “backway journey”.
A common dream and a desire to succeed is what these two young women have in common. In the very famous of our national anthem, “we strive and work and pray” . Rose and Fatou and truly striving for a better Gambia.
About Author
Anna Sylva is a blogger and recent graduate in International Development. You can link with her on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-sylva/