Written by: Melchior Koba
Startup IncubatorGambia is a driving force for change, innovation, and the empowerment of entrepreneurs in The Gambia. Through its dedication and commitment to entrepreneurship, it helps turn ideas into successful, high-growth businesses.
Startup IncubatorGambia (SIG) is a business incubation center founded, in 2015, by renowned entrepreneur Alieu Jallow. Its main aim is to provide young Gambian entrepreneurs with the means to succeed in their careers and launch their businesses.
The SIG’s incubation center features a coworking space equipped with cubicles, computers, a high-speed Internet connection, a printer, and a fully-equipped training room for up to 25 participants. Its six-month incubation program provides access to exceptional mentors, hands-on sessions with startup experts, and excellent office space where founders can work with other smart and talented founders from The Gambia. The incubation program includes a diverse team of entrepreneurs engaged in transportation, fashion, recycling, real estate development, livestock management, technology, and education.
SIG also offers an accelerator program to help entrepreneurs access financing, with a startup financing program that offers an interest-free revolving fund for those who qualify at the end of the program.
In addition to its incubation and acceleration programs, SIG regularly organizes workshops, training courses, and ceremonies in conjunction with its customers and other benefactors. These include Design Thinking Bootcamps, during which successful entrepreneurs volunteer their expertise and help young people with business creation, financing strategies, management, and technical assistance.
Since its inception, SIG has invested in over 50 startups, supported the creation of 1,600 startups, and created 1,000 jobs. The center has organized seven cohorts and supported 1,500 companies. Its partners include among others, the US Embassy in The Gambia, Business Process& Automation Services, the American Chamber of Commerce in The Gambia, GIZ, and the African Development Bank, among others.
Melchior Koba
