By Ndey Sowe
The National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), in partnership with UNICEF, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, awarded grants to three Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under the project: “Preventing malnutrition in The Gambia: Combating the impacts of climate change through the strengthening of sustainable complementary infant feeding in rural communities.”
The ceremony, held at the NaNA Conference Hall, celebrated three awardees, Mbobanjack Enterprise, Jal’s Health Foods and Training, and Salwa’s Cereals, each receiving five hundred thousand dalasi (D500,000). The initiative, funded by the Sanofi Foundation and implemented by NaNA, is part of UNICEF’s First Foods Initiative.
The grant aims to support MSMEs in developing and scaling up nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate complementary foods for children aged 6-23 months across the country.
Malang N. Fofana, Director General of NaNA, described the grants as a major step in improving nutrition and health outcomes for young children, particularly in rural areas affected by climate change.
“By empowering local businesses, we are not only addressing malnutrition but also fostering economic growth and creating sustainable solutions within our communities. I’m glad today to be part of this history, marking a milestone in our journey towards making The Gambia free of malnutrition and a place where every child can reach their potential,” Mr. Fofana said.
Muhammed Danso from the Start-Up-Incubator highlighted the importance of financial access for entrepreneurs.
“It’s always a pleasure when business organizations collaborate to support young entrepreneurs, especially in ensuring access to finance, which remains one of the biggest bottlenecks to business growth in The Gambia. We focused on businesses that can scale while providing complementary foods for babies, ensuring alignment with the project’s goals,” he explained.
Mr. Danso applauded NaNA and UNICEF for supporting MSMEs, noting that such initiatives contribute to national GDP and create employment opportunities.
Yankuba Saho, Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF, emphasized that the ceremony reflects a shared commitment to ensuring all Gambian children, especially those in rural and climate-vulnerable areas, have access to safe and nutritious complementary foods during critical growth stages.
“By investing in climate-resilient food production and supporting local businesses, we are addressing the root causes of malnutrition while strengthening the economic fabric of communities. These MSMEs are now at the forefront of a movement blending nutrition, sustainability, and entrepreneurship with locally led and culturally relevant solutions,” Mr. Saho noted.
The awardees, Awa Colley, Manager of Salwa’s Cereal; Agi Fatou Bobb, Founder and CEO of Mbobanjack Enterprise; and Awa Mbye, Production Manager at Jal’s Health Foods and Training, expressed deep gratitude for the grant.
“It is more than just financial support; it is a sign of belief in our mission as entrepreneurs,” they said, pledging to continue producing safe, healthy, and nourishing foods for babies and families, while creating jobs and empowering parents in their communities.
The Gambia faces significant nutritional challenges, with only 14% of children aged 6-23 months receiving the Minimum Acceptable Diet and 20% meeting Minimum Dietary Diversity. High levels of anemia and micronutrient deficiencies persist, driven by poor complementary feeding practices, limited access to safe and diverse foods, food insecurity, and environmental stress.
