In Dubai at the World Government Summit stage, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented the Best Minister Award to Abdoulie Jobe, Gambia’s tourism and culture minister. The win recognises measurable impact, public sector innovation and practical government excellence. It’s a moment that puts smaller-state reform firmly on a global map.
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World Governments Summit: The Best Minister Award
The Best Minister Award is more than a trophy. It’s a spotlight on ministers whose programs changed lives. This ninth edition singled out Abdoulie Jobe for a suite of policies that pushed tourism diversification, resilience and community benefits. The award’s focus on measurable outcomes separates rhetoric from results.
UAE leadership in the room: who attended and why it counts
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Mohammed Al Gergawi were present as the ceremony unfolded. Their presence underscored Dubai’s role as host and convener for public-sector exchange. You could sense that the summit aims to share practices, not just praise them.
Abdoulie Jobe was recognised
Jobe’s portfolio was judged on concrete improvements. Judges praised a tourism diversification plan that supported small operators, introduced climate-resilient infrastructure, and improved data systems for planning. The projects tied tourism growth to local livelihoods — a practical metric the jury values highly.
The award process and partners behind it
The Best Minister Award is organised by the World Governments Summit and carried out with professional partners, including PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). PwC helped assess the impact and validate the results. That external audit gives the award technical heft and helps make comparisons fair across countries.
Government excellence and public sector innovation
Recognition at this level nudges other ministers to focus on evidence and sustainability. Best practice sharing at WGS often leads to policy replication or adaptation. For countries watching closely, a Gambia win shows scale isn’t a requirement for big ideas.
Abdoulie Jobe’s Best Minister Award at the World Governments Summit 2026 is a clear nod to hands-on governance that delivers. Dubai’s role as host and the Summit’s technical partners make the award a credible barometer of public sector innovation. For practitioners, it’s a prompt: measurable results and inclusive design win attention — and rewards.
