Growing up, did you always imagine yourself working in development and environmental finance?

From childhood, I have always wanted to make a difference. Growing up in The Gambia, I was interested in how people and communities could have better opportunities, although I was unsure what career path that would take. I studied Accountancy at the University of The Gambia because I was interested in finance and wanted a strong foundation in accounting and financial management, never expecting it to lead me into development and environmental finance.

My first real exposure to the professional world came through an internship at the Central Bank of The Gambia, where I worked in the Financial Risk Management and Economist Department. I was exposed to areas such as foreign exchange reserves, risk assessment, reporting, compliance and economic analysis, and it opened my eyes to how much happens behind financial decisions. I started to see finance not merely as numbers and reports, but as a force shaping institutions, the economy and, ultimately, people's lives. That experience made me more curious about how things work and helped shape the direction I wanted to take.

Today, that perspective continues to shape my work at UNDP. While I am formally assigned to BIOFIN, my role often brings me into collaboration with colleagues across the Environment Cluster and other programme areas. This has broadened my understanding of development beyond a single project and helped me appreciate how different sectors and initiatives are interconnected in advancing sustainable development outcomes for communities across The Gambia.

What has been the most defining moment in your professional journey so far?

My internship at the Central Bank of The Gambia was probably the most defining moment for me. It was the first opportunity to apply what I had learned in school and see how it worked in an institution. Working across the Financial Risk Management and Economist department exposed me to different aspects of finance and economics, prompting me to think beyond accounting. I begun asking how institutions operate, why some processes are more efficient, and how financial decisions ultimately influence development. That experience helped me see the connection between finance, policy, accountability and the wider economy. It also gave me the confidence to build my career in finance while remain open to opportunities in development.

I am inspired by knowing that the work I do behind the scenes contributes to a larger purpose. For me, development is ultimately about improving people's lives and creating opportunities, and that takes more than one person or institution. At UNDP, I support budgeting, reporting, stakeholder coordination and operational follow-up, and I have seen how each function contributes to a larger goal. At UNDP we  work with government institutions, partners, technical experts and communities, each bringing a different perspective. That has taught me that development is more than getting the technical work done; it also depends on listening, clear communication and understanding how each person’s contributions fit together. 

That is what keeps me interested in the work.

What keeps you awake at night, or what concern motivates you?

What keeps me awake is the possibility of potential going unrealised – whether in a person, a community, an institution or a project. I often wonder what could be achieved with the right support, resources and opportunities, and what might be lost when the essential systems are not in place.

I also reflect on my own potential. I have come a long way, but there is still so much I want to learn, experience and contribute. Sometimes I ask myself whether I am making the most of the opportunities before me and whether my work is bringing me closer to the impact I hope to achieve.

For me, this is not simply about personal achievement. It is about using the opportunities I receive to benefit others. This motivates me to keep learning, take responsibility and embrace new challenges.

Can you tell me about someone you've met through this work whose story you still carry with you today?

One of my most memorable experiences with BIOFIN was meeting Lamin Jobarteh, President of the West African Birds Study Association. He has spent more than a decade working in bird conservation, and what struck me was how passionate he remains about what he does. During our national technical training, he spoke about biodiversity, climate change and the impact of human activities on ecosystems. One example stayed with me: waste entering the sea can harm fish and move through the food chain, eventually affect birds and other parts of the ecosystem. I had not really thought how such a seemingly small issue could have far-reaching consequences for nature, communities, and livelihoods.