Dubai Ruler honours Gambia’s Minister of Tourism with Best Minister Award at WGS 2026
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, honoured Abdoulie Jobe, Minister of Tourism and Culture of Gambia, with the Best Minister Award at the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026.Sheikh Mohammed emphasised that celebrating outstanding government models and inspiring success stories in government work around the world is fundamental to the World Governments Summit’s mission. The aim is to highlight innovative experiences and celebrate government leaders who have positively influenced their communities, advanced their governments, and actively engaged in crafting a better future for upcoming generations.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.He noted: “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.”Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the winning minister, wishing him, his government, and his community continued progress and prosperity.Abdoulie Jobe was nominated for the Best Minister Award, in its ninth edition, for his inspiring and exceptional achievements, which have had a significant positive impact on the tourism and culture sectors in Gambia.One standout initiative is the Tourism Diversification and Resilience Enhancement Project, designed to promote inclusive growth by directly supporting micro-, small-, and medium-sized tourism enterprises.Through the Yokuté Accelerator, local tourism entrepreneurs received comprehensive assistance in entrepreneurship training, business development, and joint funding opportunities.The project focuses on building a more diverse and climate-resilient tourism sector by developing ecotourism and domestic tourism assets, reducing dependence on coastal tourism, and improving adaptability to climate change.Under the leadership of Minister Abdoulie Jobe, the ministry conducted a thorough assessment of potential riverfront and ecotourism projects, in collaboration with technical partners. This process led to the identification and prioritisation of ten climate-resilient tourism centres.Jobe also oversaw the Digital Transformation and Evidence-Based Tourism Planning Project, which aimed to modernise tourism governance through technology and improved data systems. Working with national institutions, the ministry enhanced tourism statistics capabilities, building a digital infrastructure that supports data-driven planning, strengthens transparency, and improves service delivery across the tourism value chain.The Best Minister Award, organised by the World Governments Summit Organisation in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), aims to celebrate exceptional contributions by ministers to foster excellence in the public sector, as well as implement successful and sustainable initiatives that drive socio-economic advancement for their citizens.The award also celebrates their efforts to inspire fellow government leaders and service providers to foster innovation and foresight, shaping public discourse on pressing global issues of today and the future.World Governments Summit 2026 begins in Dubai: UAE Rulers welcome foreign delegatesUAE: Best, worst government department rankings not meant to name and shame, says official
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, honoured Abdoulie Jobe, Minister of Tourism and Culture of Gambia, with the Best Minister Award at the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasised that celebrating outstanding government models and inspiring success stories in government work around the world is fundamental to the World Governments Summit’s mission.
The aim is to highlight innovative experiences and celebrate government leaders who have positively influenced their communities, advanced their governments, and actively engaged in crafting a better future for upcoming generations.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
He noted: “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.”
Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the winning minister, wishing him, his government, and his community continued progress and prosperity.
Abdoulie Jobe was nominated for the Best Minister Award, in its ninth edition, for his inspiring and exceptional achievements, which have had a significant positive impact on the tourism and culture sectors in Gambia.
One standout initiative is the Tourism Diversification and Resilience Enhancement Project, designed to promote inclusive growth by directly supporting micro-, small-, and medium-sized tourism enterprises.
Through the Yokuté Accelerator, local tourism entrepreneurs received comprehensive assistance in entrepreneurship training, business development, and joint funding opportunities.
The project focuses on building a more diverse and climate-resilient tourism sector by developing ecotourism and domestic tourism assets, reducing dependence on coastal tourism, and improving adaptability to climate change.
Under the leadership of Minister Abdoulie Jobe, the ministry conducted a thorough assessment of potential riverfront and ecotourism projects, in collaboration with technical partners. This process led to the identification and prioritisation of ten climate-resilient tourism centres.
Jobe also oversaw the Digital Transformation and Evidence-Based Tourism Planning Project, which aimed to modernise tourism governance through technology and improved data systems.
Working with national institutions, the ministry enhanced tourism statistics capabilities, building a digital infrastructure that supports data-driven planning, strengthens transparency, and improves service delivery across the tourism value chain.
The Best Minister Award, organised by the World Governments Summit Organisation in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), aims to celebrate exceptional contributions by ministers to foster excellence in the public sector, as well as implement successful and sustainable initiatives that drive socio-economic advancement for their citizens.
The award also celebrates their efforts to inspire fellow government leaders and service providers to foster innovation and foresight, shaping public discourse on pressing global issues of today and the future.
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