Aninver to Support Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in The Gambia

Aninver Development Partners has been awarded a new consultancy contract to develop a comprehensive program and methodology to boost digital entrepreneurship in The Gambia. Commissioned by the Digital Transformation for Africa / Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (DTfA/WARDIP), this four-month assignment aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs) across the country, positioning them as key players in the country’s digital transformation journey.

The Gambia’s innovation landscape is growing rapidly, yet challenges remain. Fragmented support systems, limited access to digital resources, and a need for greater inclusion in entrepreneurship ecosystems are common hurdles. Through this project, Aninver will help shape a national response that elevates the performance of incubators, accelerators, and digital hubs, while promoting innovation, digital adoption, and skills development.

The project

The project covers the entire country, with consultations planned in Banjul and other strategic locations. It will engage a range of public and private stakeholders to ensure that the program design is relevant, inclusive, and sustainable. A key element of the approach is the emphasis on inclusion, particularly in designing support mechanisms for women and persons with disabilities, who often face structural barriers in accessing entrepreneurship opportunities.

Aninver has assembled a multidisciplinary team with deep experience in digital transformation and ecosystem development. The project is led by Jose de la Maza as Team Leader, alongside Ngorreh Pammeh as Entrepreneurship Specialist, Julio Simon as ICT Specialist, and Olivia Fava-Verde as Project Manager and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist. The team also includes Anaïs Sanchez as Analyst and Matar O. Sambou as Research Consultant. Their expertise combines regional insight with international best practices, ensuring the assignment is both technically robust and locally grounded.

The work program begins with the delivery of an Inception Report that outlines the methodology, work plan, and stakeholder engagement strategy. This will be followed by an in-depth review and mapping of the ESO landscape, including data collection, interviews, and an assessment of service offerings. Based on these findings, Aninver will design a full Digital Ecosystem Program for The Gambia. The program will cover areas such as capacity building for ESOs, regional collaboration frameworks, digital and soft skills training offerings, innovation programming, and targeted initiatives to address the gender gap.

Sustainability and monitoring mechanisms will also be built into the methodology. A comprehensive roadmap will be developed to guide implementation, define key activities and milestones, and propose practical strategies for operationalizing the program across the country. Throughout the process, internal reviews and validation workshops with national stakeholders will ensure the deliverables align with local realities and institutional priorities.

Our Work in The Gambia

This project builds on Aninver’s growing track record in The Gambia. The firm recently completed a digital skills training program for tourism MSMEs, designed a national Digital Tourism Strategy, and supported government-led efforts to improve public and private digital capacity. These previous engagements reflect Aninver’s broader commitment to using digital tools and entrepreneurial support as levers for inclusive growth.

The Gambia’s journey toward a digital economy is taking shape, and the creation of a stronger, more connected ESO ecosystem will be a key part of its success. With this new assignment, Aninver continues to contribute to that vision—translating policy goals into actionable strategies that empower entrepreneurs and institutions to thrive in the digital age.

For more updates on our work in Africa and other regions, visit aninver.com or follow us on LinkedIn.