Africa-Press – Gambia. The National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), on Thursday concluded a four-day training workshop for 30 emerging youth artists. The program, held from August 11–14, 2025, at the Sterling Technical Training Centre in Busumbala, was supported by the EU-funded Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) under its Tourism and Creative Industries component.
The training was designed to equip young and upcoming artists with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to succeed in the music industry and to strengthen the creative ecosystem in The Gambia.
In his opening remarks, Sanna B. Jarju, Director of Literature, Performing and Fine Arts at NCAC, described the initiative as part of NCAC’s commitment to “strengthening the skills and professional development of young Gambian musicians in the creative sector by nurturing talent and promoting music as a viable and sustainable career path.”
Speaking on behalf of the NCAC Director General, Mamat Sallah expressed gratitude to the ITC and YEP for supporting the training. He stressed the importance of building the capacity of young artists.
“We have to bring them up, and it is very good to start with this type of training. They are very valuable to us as an institution,” he added.
He further encouraged participants to remain focused and take advantage of opportunities made available through ITC.
Christopher Mendy, widely known as Chris Black, a Gambian-German based music promoter and event planner, applauded the NCAC and its partners, describing the initiative as the first structured training of its kind for emerging young artists in the Gambian music industry.
He urged participants to work hard and emulate the resilience of renowned artists both in The Gambia and abroad.
Also speaking, Ya Awa Nyassi, Tourism and Creative Industries Consultant at ITC, commended both the NCAC and the young artists for their commitment and creativity.
Delivering the keynote address, Yusupha Keita, ITC Country Representative (a.i), described the training as an important milestone funded by the European Union and implemented by ITC under the EU Youth Empowerment budget for Tourism and Creative Industries.
He emphasized that creativity is increasingly recognized as a driver of sustainable development and youth empowerment in The Gambia.
However, Keita noted that participants were exposed to critical aspects of the music business such as production, branding, financial literacy, and copyright protection.
“These skills are not just tools for individual success, they form the foundation of a resilient and inclusive creative industry capable of driving economic growth, generating jobs, and amplifying The Gambia’s cultural voice on a global stage,” he said.
He further emphasized the importance of Gambian music having its own cultural identity: “Whenever we play our music, everyone should know this is Gambia. That is one of the core goals of this program.”
Keita concluded by encouraging the artists to leverage digital platforms, protect their intellectual property, and actively engage both local and international markets.
“Your art holds the power to transcend borders, inspire communities, and shape narratives. The ITC, through this EU-funded program, stands with you on this journey to build a vibrant Gambian music sector.”
All participants received certification of participation, as they displayed their performing skills and talents through singing and dancing to mark the end of the training.
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
