WGS 2026 Dubai: World’s Best Minister Award goes to Gambia
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed honours Abdoulie Jobe in Dubai
DUBAI – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has awarded Abdoulie Jobe, Minister of Tourism and Culture of Gambia, with the Best Minister Award at the World Governments Summit 2026.
The prestigious honour was presented in the presence of senior UAE leadership and international dignitaries, underscoring the summit’s focus on celebrating impactful governance models. The award recognises ministerial excellence that delivers tangible outcomes for communities and future generations.
The ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. Also present were His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, and His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, alongside senior ministers and leaders from across the UAE.
Among the attendees were Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE; Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee; Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Governments Summit.
World Governments Summit
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum highlighted that recognising outstanding government performance lies at the heart of the World Governments Summit’s mission. He stressed that the platform seeks to spotlight innovative governance experiences and honour leaders who have delivered measurable progress, strengthened institutions, and actively shaped a better future for their societies.
He noted that the Best Minister Award extends beyond individual recognition, serving as a celebration of government efficiency and public service impact. The award acknowledges ministers who have advanced their sectors through innovation, sustainable development, and consistent efforts to improve quality of life. He congratulated Abdoulie Jobe, wishing him, his government, and the people of Gambia continued success and prosperity.
Best Minister Award
Abdoulie Jobe was selected for the Best Minister Award in its ninth edition in recognition of initiatives that have significantly strengthened Gambia’s tourism and culture sectors. Central to his nomination was the Tourism Diversification and Resilience Enhancement Project, designed to promote inclusive economic growth while reducing structural vulnerabilities within the sector.
The project focused on supporting micro, small, and medium-sized tourism enterprises through targeted interventions. Under the Yokuté Accelerator, local entrepreneurs received structured assistance in entrepreneurship development, business advisory services, and access to joint funding grants. These measures expanded participation across the tourism value chain and strengthened local ownership.
The initiative also aimed to reduce reliance on coastal tourism by developing climate-resilient tourism assets, including eco-tourism and domestic tourism offerings. The ministry conducted a systematic assessment of potential riverfront and eco-tourism projects, working alongside technical partners to identify opportunities aligned with climate adaptation goals. This process resulted in the prioritisation of ten climate-resilient tourism centres across the country.
Digital governance
In parallel, Jobe oversaw the Digital Transformation and Evidence-Based Tourism Planning Project, which focused on strengthening tourism governance through improved data systems and digital infrastructure. The initiative aimed to modernise planning processes, enhance transparency, and enable data-driven decision-making across the sector.
The Ministry of Tourism and Culture collaborated with national institutions to upgrade tourism statistics and reporting mechanisms. Key stakeholders within tourism and national statistics bodies were equipped with digital tools to support accurate data collection, analysis, and dissemination. These reforms improved service delivery across the tourism value chain and strengthened institutional coordination.
The Best Minister Award is organised by the World Governments Summit Organisation in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers. It recognises ministers who have delivered sustainable public sector initiatives, driven socio-economic development, and inspired innovation across government services.