At the World Government Summit in Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honoured Abdoulie Jobe, Gambia’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, with the World’s Best Minister Award 2026.
He received the recognition after being selected from a shortlist of ten ministers, reflecting measurable impact, governance agility, and innovation in public service delivery.
The award specifically recognises leaders whose initiatives translate policy into tangible outcomes — and whose models can be replicated beyond national borders.
Why Abdoulie Jobe Was Chosen
The judging panel evaluated candidates on leadership, transparency, innovation, and preparedness. In particular, it placed strong emphasis on citizen-centric governance and the ability to deliver scalable, real-world solutions.
Against this backdrop, Jobe’s leadership stood out. He drove The Gambia’s tourism growth through targeted infrastructure upgrades, investor-friendly policies, and strategic land allocation for hospitality development.
As a result, tourism continues to serve as a core pillar of the national economy, contributing significantly to both GDP and employment.
Moreover, the country’s Atlantic coastline, the River Gambia corridor, eco-lodges, and boutique resorts have collectively strengthened its positioning as one of the region’s safest and most accessible travel destinations.
Recognition at the World Government Summit
Speaking at the World Government Summit, Jobe described the recognition as a privilege that elevates The Gambia’s international visibility.
He emphasised that visibility plays a critical role in destination growth. Greater awareness drives curiosity, and curiosity, in turn, drives travel.
Building on that point, Jobe said governments can learn from Dubai’s tourism model, particularly its long-term infrastructure planning, high service standards, and powerful destination branding.
Broader Significance
The World’s Best Minister Award reflects a broader shift in how global governance excellence is assessed. Today, results outweigh rhetoric, and execution carries more weight than announcements.
In this context, the recognition serves as international validation of Gambia’s tourism-led development strategy.
At the same time, it reinforces the summit’s core message — leadership is measured not by intent, but by outcomes.
Warm applause for Abdoulie Jobe as he receives the World’s Best Minister Award from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in Dubai.
Photo: Ashwani Kumar/ Gulf News
