Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, honoured Abdoulie Jobe, the Minister of Tourism and Culture of Gambia, with the Best Minister Award at the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026. The event was attended by notable figures including H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and other dignitaries.
According to Emirates News Agency, the award presentation ceremony saw the presence of several high-ranking officials such as H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and H.H. Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. The award recognises ministers who have made significant contributions to their communities and governments.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum highlighted the importance of celebrating government models and success stories. He stated that the Best Minister Award recognises the efficiency and positive impact of government leaders, who strive to enhance public service and quality of life through innovation and sustainable development. The award underscores the value of leaders working towards a better future for upcoming generations.
Abdoulie Jobe was nominated for his achievements in the tourism and culture sectors in Gambia, particularly through initiatives like the tourism diversification and resilience enhancement project. This project promotes inclusive growth by supporting micro, small, and medium-sized tourism enterprises. The Yokut© Accelerator has been instrumental in providing entrepreneurship and business development support to local entrepreneurs.
The project aims to diversify tourism assets, focusing on eco-tourism and domestic tourism, reducing reliance on coastal tourism, and enhancing climate change adaptability. Jobe's ministry prioritised the development of climate-resilient tourism centres and conducted assessments of potential projects in collaboration with technical partners.
Jobe also led a digital transformation initiative for tourism governance, improving tourism statistics and enabling data-driven planning. This effort enhanced transparency and service delivery across the tourism value chain.
The Best Minister Award, organised by the World Governments Summit Organisation in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), celebrates ministers who drive excellence and socio-economic advancement in the public sector. The award aims to inspire innovation and foresight among government leaders, addressing pressing global issues.
