Gambia Tourism Minister Abdoulie Jobe Honoured With Best Minister Award At World Governments Summit 2026

Abdoulie Jobe, Minister of Tourism and Culture of Gambia, received the Best Minister Award at the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented the honour in Dubai, recognising major progress in Gambia’s tourism and culture sectors and their wider economic impact.

The ceremony took place in the presence of several UAE leaders, including H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. Senior officials from other emirates also attended, underlining the World Governments Summit’s focus on effective public leadership and global cooperation in government work.

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H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stressed that the World Governments Summit highlights successful public-sector experiences from across the world. The Summit focuses on sharing such models so that governments can learn from each other, support better services, and prepare more resilient systems for future generations.

H.H. explained that the recognition given through this award goes beyond individual success. H.H. stated: "The Best Minister Award is more than an individual honour, it is a celebration of government efficiency, and an acknowledgement of the positive role embodied by the world’s best minister. It is also a recognition of the exceptional value of government leaders striving to advance sectors of public service and enhance quality of life through innovation, sustainable development, and diligent efforts."

Abdoulie Jobe was selected for the ninth edition of the Best Minister Award for work that reshaped Gambia’s tourism and culture sectors. Jobe’s efforts supported inclusive economic growth, encouraged new tourism products beyond traditional areas, and strengthened resilience against climate and market pressures in a small, tourism-dependent economy.

A central programme is the tourism diversification and resilience enhancement project, which directs support to micro, small, and medium-sized tourism businesses. Through the Yokuté Accelerator, local tourism entrepreneurs received help with entrepreneurship training, business development services, and shared funding grants, which aimed to unlock fresh investment and spread tourism income more widely.

The diversification and resilience project also promoted eco-tourism and domestic tourism to reduce heavy reliance on coastal destinations. Abdoulie Jobe’s ministry carried out a formal review of riverfront and eco-tourism opportunities, with input from technical partners. This process led to the selection of ten priority tourism centres designed to withstand climate risks.

Another focus of Jobe’s tenure was the digital transformation and evidence-based tourism planning project. The ministry cooperated with national institutions to improve tourism statistics and data systems. New digital infrastructure gave government and industry stakeholders better tools for data-driven planning, more transparent reporting, and stronger coordination along the tourism value chain.

The Best Minister Award is organised by the World Governments Summit Organisation, working with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The award recognises ministers whose policies raise public-sector performance, deliver sustainable socio-economic benefits, and encourage innovation and forward thinking. It also highlights figures who influence peers and shape global debate on urgent public issues.

The awards event included H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, H.H. Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Mohammed Al Gergawi. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum congratulated Abdoulie Jobe and wished continued progress for Gambia’s government and society.

With inputs from WAM