DUBAI, UAE – In a ceremony highlighting global governmental excellence, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, presented Gambia’s Minister of Tourism and Culture Abdoulie Jobe with the distinguished Best Minister Award during the World Governments Summit 2026. The recognition celebrates transformative leadership and innovative approaches to public service that create substantial community impact.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the award’s significance beyond individual achievement, stating: “This honor represents a celebration of governmental efficiency and acknowledges the positive role embodied by the world’s most effective ministers. It recognizes exceptional leaders dedicated to advancing public service sectors and enhancing quality of life through innovation, sustainable development, and diligent effort.”
Minister Jobe’s recognition stems from his groundbreaking work in transforming Gambia’s tourism landscape through two pioneering initiatives. The Tourism Diversification and Resilience Enhancement Project has successfully promoted inclusive growth by providing comprehensive support to micro-, small-, and medium-sized tourism enterprises. Through the Yokuté Accelerator program, local entrepreneurs received extensive training in business development, entrepreneurship, and access to joint funding opportunities.
A cornerstone of Jobe’s strategy involves building climate resilience within the tourism sector by developing ecotourism and domestic tourism assets, thereby reducing dependence on vulnerable coastal tourism. Under his leadership, the ministry conducted thorough assessments of potential riverfront and ecotourism projects, identifying and prioritizing ten climate-resilient tourism centers in collaboration with technical partners.
Concurrently, Jobe oversaw the Digital Transformation and Evidence-Based Tourism Planning Project, which modernized tourism governance through advanced technology and enhanced data systems. By working with national institutions, the ministry significantly improved tourism statistics capabilities, establishing digital infrastructure that supports data-driven planning, strengthens transparency, and improves service delivery across the entire tourism value chain.
The Best Minister Award, organized by the World Governments Summit Organisation in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), aims to celebrate exceptional ministerial contributions that foster excellence in public service and implement sustainable initiatives driving socio-economic advancement. The award also recognizes efforts to inspire fellow government leaders to embrace innovation and foresight in addressing pressing global challenges.