ZeLoop and Le Jumbo Join Forces to Launch Gambia’s First Blockchain-Powered Sustainability Mentorship Program

Empowering Gambian Youth with Entrepreneurship, Environmental Action, and Real-World Impact


Banjul, The Gambia – August 25, 2025 – ZeLoop, the global leader in gamified recycling and blockchain-powered sustainability, proudly announces its official expansion into The Gambia through a groundbreaking partnership with Le Jumbo. This collaboration is spearheaded by ZeLoop’s new country representatives, Irénée Dondjio and Muhammed Jawo, founder of Le Jumbo, and will kick off with the launch of the Le Jumbo Mentorship Program 4.0 and a national sustainability challenge.

Driving Sustainable Change Through Youth Empowerment

The partnership brings together ZeLoop’s innovative platform—rewarding eco-friendly actions with blockchain-based tokens—and Le Jumbo’s proven mentorship model to inspire, educate, and mobilize the next generation of Gambian entrepreneurs and environmental leaders.
At the heart of the initiative is the 12-week Le Jumbo Mentorship Program 4.0, themed “Mastering the Entrepreneurial Mindset for Sustainable Impact in The Gambia.” The program will equip young Gambians with essential business skills, leadership qualities, and practical experience in sustainability. Through hands-on engagement with the ZeLoop app, participants will compete in plastic collection challenges, learn about the power of blockchain for good, and develop real-world business plans with environmental impact.

A National Challenge with Academic and Community Reach

Key elements of the ZeLoop x Le Jumbo partnership include:
– University Alliances: Collaborating with Gambian universities to integrate sustainability and blockchain challenges into academic curricula.
– Plastic Collection Campaigns: Students and community members will use the ZeLoop app to track and verify plastic waste collection, earning rewards and competing on national leaderboards.
– Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Mentees will design and pitch green business ideas, participate in workshops, and gain exposure to real-world business incubation.
– Community Partnerships: Engaging local waste management companies, NGOs, tech incubators, and authorities to support and scale the initiative.
– Grand Finale & Conference: Culminating in a national event featuring business pitches, academic presentations, ZeLoop challenge awards, and networking with policymakers, investors, and media.

A Blueprint for West Africa

This project is designed as a scalable model, with plans to document and replicate its success across West Africa. Students will have the opportunity to become ZeLoop ambassadors, while top-performing business ideas may enter a post-challenge incubator with access to mentorship and seed funding.

Eric Schaffner, CEO & Founder of ZeLoop:
“We are thrilled to launch ZeLoop’s first national sustainability mentorship program in The Gambia with such visionary partners. By combining blockchain technology, gamification, and real-world mentorship, we aim to empower Gambian youth to lead the charge for a cleaner, greener, and more entrepreneurial future. Our partnership with Le Jumbo and the leadership of Irénée and Muhammed Jawo will set a new standard for impact-driven collaboration in West Africa.”

Irénée Dondjio, ZeLoop Gambia Representative, and Senior Lecturer  at the The Hague University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands) and Ph.D. Candidate (University of Nicosia, Cyprus) (specializing in blockchain):
“This partnership is more than a collaboration—it is a powerful opportunity to link technology, education, and sustainability for the benefit of Gambian youth and communities in particular, and for Africa and other developing countries more broadly. As a senior lecturer and blockchain researcher, I am committed to helping build a movement that not only addresses plastic waste, but also drives innovation, fosters entrepreneurship, and empowers the next generation of leaders and change-makers across the Global South.”

Muhammed Jawo, Founder & CEO of Le Jumbo:
“Le Jumbo has always believed in the power of mentorship and practical learning. As both an entrepreneur and a researcher in entrepreneurship, I see firsthand how the right tools, guidance, and incentives can transform ambition into impact. By integrating ZeLoop’s blockchain platform into our program, we’re not only giving young Gambians the skills to build sustainable businesses but also embedding in them an entrepreneurial mindset grounded in innovation and responsibility. This initiative positions The Gambia as a living laboratory for green entrepreneurship in Africa, where youth are empowered to move from consumers of change to creators of solutions. ”

Join the ZeLoop x Le Jumbo movement!
Students, universities, local businesses, and community leaders are invited to join the ZeLoop x Le Jumbo movement. Download the ZeLoop app, apply for the mentorship program, or become a sponsor to help shape the future of sustainability and entrepreneurship in The Gambia.

For More Information:
Visit  www.lejumbo.com
Follow ZeLoop and Le Jumbo on LinkedIn for updates.
About Le Jumbo:
Le Jumbo is a leading e-commerce company in The Gambia, founded by Muhammed Jawo. Beyond its digital marketplace, Le Jumbo is committed to youth empowerment and innovation, having created and financed the Le Jumbo Mentorship Program. The company plays a pivotal role in nurturing entrepreneurship and sustainable development throughout the country.