Time truly flies! It has been 10 months at UNDP The Gambia. The journey has profoundly enriched my personal and professional growth, thanks to the exceptional collaboration between the African Union Commission (AUC) and UNDP through the African Young Women Leaders Fellowship (AFYWL) Programme. 

Being deployed to The Gambia—commonly known as the Smiling Coast of Africa—where warm smiles accompany every greeting, is both an honour and a privilege. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to support the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resilience Cluster, contributing to impactful initiatives that promote a more sustainable and resilient future. I am more energized than ever to find innovative solutions to mitigate climate change and enjoyed the rare privilege to contribute directly in providing energy access to the most remote communities of the country and putting even bigger smiles on the faces of Gambians.

One of my key achievements and most memorable moments of my journey as a fellow was contributing to the assessment of the biogas potential in the country, with a team of experts. We travelled to remote corners of the country, where I gained invaluable insights into the communities we serve. It was remarkable to witness the enthusiasm of the entrepreneurs we engaged with, including fruit and vegetable sellers, poultry owners, dairy farmers, and dumpsite operators, who were all excited at the prospect of generating energy from waste. 

Evidently, the era of the linear economy is ending, making way for a more circular economy even in the most remote areas of the global south through initiatives like biogas. This Biogas assessment initiative has the potential to transform our energy landscape, reduce inequalities, combat climate change, and seamlessly integrate the nexus of food, energy, waste, and climate resilience. The results of this assessment are now published on the UNDP website, and I encourage you to read this remarkable study, which marks a significant milestone in our efforts.

As a health enthusiast, I am excited to also be involved in a project focused on chemicals and waste management which centers on mitigating the health and environmental impacts of Unintended Persistent Organic Pollutants (uPOPs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). Practically, this means advocating against the open burning of garbage, ensuring the environmentally sound management of PCBs and the remediation of contaminated sites. It is also a call to promote the 4Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) to minimize environmental impact and encourage sustainable living. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing how our work is transforming people's lives.

My journey as a fellow has taken me to key global events. The Leadership training in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, organized for the 36 AFYWL fellows was particularly transformative. It shaped my focus and expectations of my fellowship while fostering strong bonds with the fellows. Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Ms. Prudence Ngwenya Director Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, African Union Commission, and Mr. Jide Okeke Regional Programme Coordinator all shared their invaluable experiences and inspiring perspectives on development.