A three-day conference on the theme: “Master Class on Project Finance, Developing Bankable Projects through Project Finance: From Feasibility to Financial Close” is currently underway at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Center in Bijilo, The Gambia.
Organized by the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI); Development Perspectives UK; and SaHel Investment Management International, the conference is designed to enable participants learn how to develop bankable projects by structuring deals that effectively manage risks, secure financing, and comply with regulatory frameworks.
It is also envisaged that the course will highlight important tools and key financial metrics such as Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Net Present Value (NPV) for assessing project viability.
Project finance is a critical tool for unlocking investment in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and other key sectors essential for economic development.
This course, hosted by Gambia Chamber of Commerce, Development Perspectives UK Ltd and SaHel Investment Management International, is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the project finance process, from feasibility studies to financial close.
The main focus of the course is on bankability, which refers to the ability of a project to attract financing from investors, banks, and development institutions.
By the end of the course, participants will have gained a solid understanding of how to navigate the complexities of project finance and create investment-ready projects that are sustainable and bankable.
Dignitaries such as Hon. Abdoulie Touray, Chairman of SaHel Investment Management International, Mrs. Sarata Conateh, CEO of GCCI, Edrisa Mass Jobe, President of GCCI, Hon. Seedy Keita, Minister of Finance & Economic Affairs, Hon. Buah Saidy, Governor, Central Bank of The Gambia, Mr. Yankuba Darboe, the Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority, Hon. Franklin Mutahakana, representative of the World Bank and IFC, Mr. Ebrima Faal, CEO of Development Perspectives in The UK, Alieu Senghor, Country Director of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Ernest Aubee, Agriculture Expert & Consultant, Head of Agriculture Division at ECOWAS Commission, Musa Sillah, Consultant & Former Regional Director, Islamic Development Bank and others are participating in this event.
Hon. Baboucarr Boye, The Gambia’s Minister of Public Service & Delivery delivered the keynote address on behalf of President Adama Barrow whilst Hon. Franklin Mutaha, Representative of the World Bank and IFC also delivered a statement.
Veteran journalist Peter Gomez, CEO of West Coast Radio moderated the opening ceremony. The event started on 12th November and is expected to end on 14th November 2024. The Vote of thanks was delivered by Hon. Abdoulie Touray, Chairman SaHel Executive Education.
