EWEF Women Empowerment Farms FR

Est. 2019The Gambia

Reviving our heritage. Growing our future.

EWEF is a Gambian agricultural enterprise working to help revitalise The Gambia’s cotton industry. Cotton is at the heart of who we are, and horticulture grows alongside it.

Discover our story A new chapter is coming

Elsie’s Women Empowerment and Elsie Williams Olericulture Farm

Begin the story

Our identity

Cotton is at the heart of who we are.

EWEF is a Gambian agricultural enterprise founded in 2019 with a vision to contribute to the revitalisation of The Gambia’s cotton industry. Cotton is at the heart of our identity and long-term agricultural vision.

Over the years, we have incorporated horticulture into our agricultural activities as part of our commitment to crop diversification, sustainable farming, food production, and women’s economic empowerment.

Our ambition is to build on our practical agricultural experience and contribute to a stronger, more innovative, and sustainable agricultural sector.

Our mission

To contribute to the revitalisation of The Gambia’s cotton industry while promoting sustainable agriculture, horticultural diversification, women’s empowerment, and agricultural innovation.

Our vision

To become a recognised agricultural enterprise contributing to the development of a modern, sustainable, and commercially viable cotton industry, while supporting food production, women’s economic empowerment, and economic opportunities in The Gambia.

  • 2019The year EWEF was founded
  • 6Years of cotton field trials
  • 6haOf farmland in the Upper River Region
  • 2Major development grants behind our growth

Featured & supported by

I

Chapter One

A past worth recognising

Our story · where it all began

Cotton: a heritage worth reviving.

Cotton is more than a crop to us. It is part of The Gambia’s agricultural history, cultural identity, and economic heritage.

There was a time when Gambian farmers cultivated cotton commercially. The country produced, ginned, and exported cotton, providing economic opportunities for farmers and rural communities.

  1. Produced
  2. Ginned
  3. Exported

But cotton also played an important role in our traditions.

At naming ceremonies

babies were wrapped in locally woven cotton.

At traditional weddings

brides wore beautifully woven cotton fabrics.

These traditions remain part of our cultural identity.

For EWEF’s Founder, Elsie Aimee Williams, the connection to cotton is also personal.

“At my naming ceremony, what was I wrapped in?”
Elsie, to her mother
“Locally woven cotton.”
Her mother’s answer

That conversation reinforced something meaningful: cotton was never simply a commercial crop. It was woven into the lives, traditions, and memories of Gambian families.

Across our communities, traditional woven cotton is known by different names.

Wolof

Seri Raba

Mandinka

Darafaano

Although the names may differ, the fabrics form part of a shared cultural heritage.

From field to fabric

How a cotton boll becomes woven cloth.

01 / 07

Sowing

Cotton seeds are sown with the first rains, when the soil is warm and moist.

02 / 07

Flowering

Around two months later, the plants bloom. Each creamy flower turns pink and falls within a few days.

03 / 07

Open bolls

Every flower leaves behind a green boll that ripens, dries and splits open to reveal soft white fibre.

04 / 07

Harvest

The open bolls are picked, often by hand, once the fibre is dry and fluffy.

05 / 07

Ginning

Ginning separates the fibre, known as lint, from the seed. The seed can be sown again or pressed for oil.

06 / 07

Spinning

The cleaned fibre is drawn out and twisted into yarn and thread.

07 / 07

Weaving

On traditional narrow looms, the thread is woven into long strips that are sewn together into cloth, such as Seri Raba and Darafaano.

When commercial cotton production declined, The Gambia lost more than an agricultural commodity.

  • We lost economic opportunities
  • We lost production knowledge
  • We lost an important connection between agriculture and industry

EWEF believes this story deserves another chapter.

Our ambition is not simply to bring back the cotton industry of yesterday, but to contribute to building the cotton industry of tomorrow.

Reviving Our Heritage. Growing Our Future.

Our agricultural journey · 2019 to 2025

From cotton trials to practical experience.

EWEF began its cotton cultivation journey in 2019. Our early work focused on understanding cotton cultivation under Gambian agricultural and climatic conditions.

Rather than immediately entering commercial production, we spent several years conducting trials, experimenting with different seed varieties, observing crop performance, and learning from practical field experience.

Map of The Gambia The Upper River Region, home of EWEF’s cotton trials at Giroba Kunda and Wellingara Kelepha, is highlighted. Banjul Upper River Region Senegal
2019Giroba Kunda Agricultural CampUpper River Region
2020 to 2025Wellingara Kelepha, Tumana DistrictUpper River Region

Boundaries: geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0)

  1. 2019

    Beginning our cotton trials

    Our initial cotton cultivation trials began at Giroba Kunda Agricultural Camp in the Upper River Region.

    Giroba Kunda, Upper River Region

  2. 2020

    Our first grant: SheTrades

    Support through the SheTrades initiative, associated with the International Trade Centre, contributed towards the acquisition of farmland.

    Farmland acquisition

  3. 2020 to 2025

    Continuing our field trials

    We continued our cotton cultivation trials at Wellingara Kelepha in the Upper River Region. During this period, we explored:

    • Cultivation practices
    • Seed performance
    • Environmental challenges
    • The practical requirements of cotton production

    These experiences helped strengthen our understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with cultivating cotton in The Gambia.

    Wellingara Kelepha, Upper River Region

  4. December 2025

    Gambia Pilot Program grant

    A €50,000 grant under the Gambia Pilot Program (GPP) contributed to farm fencing and water infrastructure.

    Fencing & water infrastructure

  5. Next

    A new chapter

    EWEF is now preparing to move from its experimental phase towards its next stage of agricultural development.

    See what’s growing

Six years of trials, learning, challenges, and determination have helped shape our agricultural vision.

II

Chapter Two

A foundation already built

Our development journey

Support that helped us grow.

EWEF’s journey has been supported by development initiatives that have contributed to our agricultural progress. Their contributions have helped us move from an agricultural vision towards developing the land and infrastructure needed for future production.

We remain grateful to the organisations and programmes that have supported our efforts.

2020 Our first grant

SheTrades Initiative

Associated with the International Trade Centre

In 2020, EWEF benefited from support through the SheTrades initiative. The support contributed towards the acquisition of farmland and helped strengthen the foundation of our agricultural enterprise.

This was an important milestone in our journey. It enabled us to begin developing a physical foundation for our agricultural ambitions.

  • Farmland acquisition

International recognition

EWEF’s cotton revitalisation vision was featured in an International Trade Centre publication, highlighting our commitment to restoring cotton production and creating opportunities, particularly for women.

Read the ITC feature Also published by the Enhanced Integrated Framework

December 2025 Our second major grant

Gambia Pilot Program (GPP)

€50,000

The support contributed to important farm development activities, including fencing and water infrastructure. This investment helped strengthen the farm’s physical foundation and improve its readiness for further agricultural activities.

  • Farm fencing
  • Water infrastructure

The GPP support was connected to a wider development framework involving ECOWAS and German development cooperation.

EWEF remains grateful to the institutions and development programmes whose contributions have helped advance our agricultural journey.

Growing through support, experience and determination.

Each stage of EWEF’s development has contributed to our progress. From our first cotton trials to land acquisition, farm fencing, water infrastructure, and horticultural development, our journey reflects years of learning, investment, and perseverance.

We recognise and appreciate the support that has helped us reach this stage. Our progress has been built step by step, and every contribution has helped lay the foundation for our future.

  1. 01Cotton trials
  2. 02Land acquisition
  3. 03Farm fencing
  4. 04Water infrastructure
  5. 05Horticultural development
  6. NextA new chapter

Incorporating horticulture

Diversifying our agricultural activities.

Although cotton remains the foundation of EWEF’s agricultural identity, we have incorporated horticulture into our operations as part of our commitment to sustainable farming and agricultural diversification.

Our horticultural activities focus on:

  • Vegetable cultivation
  • Improved agricultural practices
  • Irrigation
  • Opportunities for agricultural value addition

We believe that combining our long-term cotton ambitions with horticultural production can contribute to food security, employment opportunities, and agricultural sustainability.

Our guiding philosophy

Eat What You Grow

The food we produce represents our commitment to horticulture and food security.

Complementary activity

Wear What You Grow

The cotton we aspire to revitalise represents our commitment to agricultural heritage, industrial development, and economic opportunity.

Our central identity

Both form part of EWEF’s broader agricultural vision, with cotton remaining our central identity.

Chapter Three A future worth watching

EWEF emblem

Coming Soon

A New Chapter for Gambian Cotton

From Years of Field Trials to a New Agricultural Beginning

After six years of cotton cultivation trials, 6 hectares of land, practical learning, and agricultural development, EWEF is preparing to take its next step.

Our initial Cotton Revitalisation Project is on the horizon.

Building on the experience gained since 2019, we are working towards a new chapter focused on modern agriculture, innovation, sustainability, and economic opportunity.

  • Modern agriculture
  • Innovation
  • Sustainability
  • Economic opportunity

We look forward to sharing our progress as this journey unfolds.

Something exciting is growing.

Stay tuned!

Eat What You Grow and Wear What You Grow.

Elsie Aimee Williams, Founder and CEO of EWEF
Known on TikTok as The Cotton Lady

Meet our founder

Elsie Aimee Williams

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, EWEF

Elsie Aimee Williams is a Gambian agricultural entrepreneur passionate about cotton revitalisation, sustainable agriculture, and women’s economic empowerment.

She established EWEF in 2019 with a commitment to exploring the potential for restoring cotton production in The Gambia. Through years of practical cotton cultivation trials, agricultural development, and continued learning, she has worked towards building the foundation for a sustainable agricultural enterprise.

Her agricultural interests have also expanded into horticulture, reflecting her commitment to diversification and food production.

  • Founder & CEOEWEF · since 2019
  • PresidentYoung Female Farmers Association
  • PresidentElevated Farms Women Empowerment · registered NGO, est. 2023

Her long-term vision is to contribute to an agricultural sector where traditional knowledge, innovation, entrepreneurship, and women’s participation come together to create lasting opportunities.

Download our profile View printable profile

News & updates

Our latest milestones.

We share new developments here as they become official.

  1. Next

    Coming soon

    A new chapter for Gambian cotton

    Our initial Cotton Revitalisation Project is on the horizon. Something exciting is growing.

    Stay tuned

  2. Grant

    €50,000 Gambia Pilot Program grant

    Support for farm fencing and water infrastructure, strengthening the farm’s physical foundation.

  3. Recognition

    Featured by the International Trade Centre

    Our cotton revitalisation vision appeared in an ITC story on creating opportunities, particularly for women.

    Read the feature

  4. Grant

    SheTrades support towards our farmland

    Our first grant helped us begin building a physical foundation for our agricultural ambitions.

Contact

Let’s talk cotton.

For enquiries about EWEF, our work, or our journey, please write to us. We would love to hear from you.

Location

Wellingara Kelepha, Tumana District
Upper River Region, The Gambia

Business

Elsie’s Women Empowerment and Elsie Williams Olericulture Farm (EWEF)

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