RDI Students' Bantaba

14/08/2026

HND Cohort 10 Orientation Ceremony!

On Thursday, 13th August 2026, the Administration of the Rural Development Institute (RDI) conducted an orientation ceremony for HND Cohort 10.

The orientation provided management and participants with an opportunity to interact, share expectations, and discuss the key requirements and necessities for the successful completion of the programme.

As an applied programme, its success requires dedication and commitment to both the practical and theoretical aspects of learning. Participants were therefore encouraged to remain focused, disciplined, and committed throughout their academic journey.

We wish the management and all participants of HND Cohort 10 a successful and fulfilling programme.

All the best of luck! 🎓📚
Department of Community Development, The Gambia
RDI Students' Bantaba

Department of Community Development URR Office

12/08/2026

Did you know?

Nano’s Dukula is a business initiative championed by one of our students who, during her practical fieldwork in the communities, learned the skills needed to prepare this traditional and nourishing meal. Today, she is proudly putting those skills into practice and turning her knowledge into an income-generating venture.

And now whether you’re rushing to work, preparing the children for school, or simply craving a warm and nourishing meal, Nano’s Dukula is the perfect choice.

It is freshly and carefully prepared, with no artificial preservatives, making it suitable for breakfast or even an evening meal.

Support a young entrepreneur, support skills development, and most importantly, have a taste!

Rush now, have a taste, and thank me later!
Department of Community Development, The Gambia
Department of Community Development URR Office

31/07/2026

The Department of Community Development (DCD) has successfully concluded a four-day training for Coaches, Supervisors, and Regional Teams under the Productive Economic Inclusion (PEI) Programme. The training was conducted from 27th to 30th July 2026 across the Central River Region North and South (CRR), Lower River Region (LRR), North Bank Region (NBR), and West Coast Region (WCR).

The training was designed to equip Coaches, Supervisors, and Regional Teams with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools required to effectively carry out their roles and responsibilities in supporting PEI beneficiaries.

As part of their responsibilities, the participants will help beneficiaries develop monthly action plans, conduct one-on-one coaching sessions, monitor progress, and facilitate grievance and conflict resolution at the household level to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.

A special recognition goes to two of our veteran PEI pilot champions from the mighty Upper River Region, Mr. Jah and Mr. Sowe, who served as facilitators during the trainings in the Central River Region. Their wealth of experience, dedication, and outstanding facilitation greatly contributed to the success of the sessions.

Congratulations to all Central Level staff, Regional Teams, and the Multi-Disciplinary Facilitation Teams (MDFTs) for your commitment and hard work in making this important activity a resounding success. Together, we continue to strengthen the implementation of the Productive Economic Inclusion Programme and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable households.

29/07/2026

Currently underway at Mama's lodge in Pakalinding is the Six-Monthly Gambia RISE Project Convergence which brought together key stakeholders to review the progress, achievements, and challenges of the project's core components: the Nafa Programme, Productive Economic Inclusion (PEI), and Positive Playful Parenting (PPP).

The convergence is attended by the Directors of DCD, NaNA, and DSW, the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Vice President, representatives from ChildFund The Gambia, Regional Officers, and Multi-Disciplinary Facilitation Teams (MDFTs).

NaNA presented an overview of the project, outlining the roles and commitments required from management, regional officers, and MDFTs to achieve the Project Development Objectives (PDOs). Regional representatives also shared updates on implementation, highlighting achievements, challenges, and lessons learned across the intervention areas. These presentations fostered constructive dialogue, enabling stakeholders to identify practical solutions, agree on key action points, and strengthen coordination.

The convergence further featured presentations from NaNA's Monitoring and Evaluation Unit and ChildFund The Gambia on the findings of the first and second quarterly monitoring exercises. The reports highlighted progress, identified implementation gaps, documented lessons learned, and provided recommendations to improve the delivery of the Nafa, PEI, and PPP components, ultimately supporting evidence-based decision-making and enhancing project impact.

16/07/2026

10/07/2026

Celebrating Excellence

The Rural Development Institute (RDI) proudly celebrates the achievement of Mr. Alfu M. Sarr, a student from HND Cohort 9, who is currently in Beijing, China, participating in an international seminar on Cold Chain Logistics and Advanced Processing of Agricultural Products for Belt and Road Countries.

The seminar is hosted by the China National Research Institute of Food and Fermentation Industries Co., Ltd. and brings together participants from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries to promote knowledge sharing, innovation, and collaboration in strengthening agricultural value chains.

The programme encourages participants to work together in the spirit of a shared future by exploring practical solutions to reduce food waste, combat hunger, and foster mutually beneficial ("win-win") cooperation among participating nations.

Over the past few weeks, participants have received intensive training in agricultural value addition, food processing technologies, modern logistics systems, smart temperature monitoring, and advanced cold chain management. These innovations are critical in preserving the quality and safety of perishable agricultural products, improving food security, and reducing post-harvest losses. In China, advanced cold chain policies have significantly reduced post-harvest losses, demonstrating the transformative impact of investing in modern food preservation and logistics systems.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of the People's Republic of China, through its Embassy in The Gambia, for this valuable sponsorship and opportunity. We also express our heartfelt gratitude to the The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Gambia Employers' Association for their confidence in supporting Gambian professionals and students through such international learning opportunities.

Congratulations to Mr. Alfu M. Sarr on this remarkable achievement. We wish him more success.

06/07/2026

Did You Know?

06/07/2026

Friends and family, please join us in wishing the Principal of the Rural Development Institute (RDI), Mr. Bakary Fofana, a very happy and joyful birthday.

Happy Birthday, Sir!

Your visionary leadership, unwavering commitment, and dedication continue to inspire a whole generation of development practitioners and students. Thank you for your selfless service and for championing a cause that has transformed countless lives.

May this new year bring you good health, abundant blessings, continued success, and many more years of impactful leadership.

Wishing you a truly wonderful birthday and a prosperous year ahead!

01/07/2026

Currently underway is the capacity-building training for 3,420 enrolled PEI participants and 163 coaches across 12 districts in rural and peri-urban areas of The Gambia.

This initiative forms part of the Productive Economic Inclusion (PEI) Sub-component of the The Gambia RISE Project, which aims to reach approximately 10,000 participants across rural and peri-urban communities, targeting both NAFA and non-NAFA beneficiaries.

The five-day training focuses on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and life skills, equipping participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to establish and manage successful businesses. Key areas of learning include problem-solving, financial management, communication, decision-making, and other essential entrepreneurial competencies that promote sustainable livelihoods and contribute to local economic growth.

Beyond strengthening individual capacities, the programme seeks to ensure that business approaches are tailored to the unique cultural and socio-economic contexts of each community. It also aims to build a strong, self-sustaining network of trained local facilitators who can continue transferring knowledge within their communities, creating lasting impact and reducing long-term dependence on external support.

The training is being implemented in phases, with each training site running for a duration of five days. Multi-Disciplinary Facilitation Teams (MDFTs) are leading the sessions, with technical backstopping and oversight provided by regional and central-level teams across the 12 scale-up districts.

28/06/2026

On 24th June, the Community Development Assistant (CDA) for Dampha K***a Ward convened a Ward Committee meeting in Kulkuleh to review the Ward Development Plan and revitalize the committee after several months of inactivity.

During the meeting, the CDA also took time to clearly explain the roles and responsibilities of the various executive members. This was aimed at enhancing efficiency, strengthening teamwork, and promoting transparency and accountability among the committee members.

This is a commendable initiative by the CDA, as regular committee meetings are the foundation of every effective and successful committee. Such engagements not only strengthen coordination and participation but also ensure that development activities are well-planned, monitored, and implemented for the benefit of the entire ward.