For decades, the Gambia’s economy has run by exporting raw materials and importing finished products. As the economy evolves, more local providers are offering goods and services that Gambian businesses need at home.
The problem is how to link up these businesses. As part of its efforts to boost Gambian tourism, the International Trade Centre (ITC) connects tourism companies with food producers who can supply the quality products their customers want.
The Business-to-Business Matchmaking Event brought together hotels, restaurants and hospitality buyers with local farmers and food processors. This provided a unique platform for the businesses to learn about each other’s needs. They discussed product quality, volumes, pricing and supply schedules. Many businesses established new contacts and expanded their professional networks. Several buyers and suppliers agreed to continue discussions after the event.
‘At ITC, we believe that trade is not just about transactions. It’s about transformation,’ said Yusupha Keita, the ITC Country Representative. ‘Globally, ITC works to unlock markets for producers, women entrepreneurs and youth. Through the EU-funded Youth Empowerment Project, we are translating that global vision into local impact by building bridges between sectors, between aspirations and outcomes.’
The event was held in collaboration with the Gambia Hotel Association, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the ROOTS Project that works with smallholder farmers.
‘Today’s gathering is more than a meeting of industries, it is a platform for building strong and sustainable partnerships, that support local production, improve supply chains and enhance the quality of services offered across our hospitality sector,’ said Marion Nyang, Executive Secretary of the Gambia Hotel Association.
Speaking on behalf of producers, horticulture farmer Kaddy Darboe reaffirmed their readiness to supply hotels and restaurants with quality produce year-round. She urged producers to ‘intensify efforts to meet growing market demand’.
The event demonstrated the power of collaboration between farmers, processors and hospitality buyers. ITC Gambia remains committed to supporting these partnerships, ensuring that trade continues to be a driver of transformation and inclusive growth. 
Gambian farmers showed their produce to hotel and restaurant buyers, who explained their need for regular supplies of high-quality food.Photo by ITC
The event was made possible through the support of the European Union through the EU YEP – Tourism and Creative Industries project, implemented by ITC in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture with a focus on promoting the inclusiveness, sustainability and competitiveness of the tourism and creative industries.