Find your voice.
Command the room.
The Forbes Academy (TFA) is The Gambia's premier professional training institute — public speaking, leadership, communication and team building for professionals, institutions and aspiring speakers.
- 800+
- Individuals Trained
- 105
- Training Batches
- 2019
- Founded
Core training programmes
High-impact training for modern workplaces.
Public Speaking
Build confidence, clarity and persuasion to speak with authority in high-stakes environments.
Leadership Development
Strengthen strategic thinking, decision-making and people management for executive roles.
Team Building
Enhance collaboration, trust and productivity through tailored team-strengthening modules.
Effective Communication
Improve interpersonal communication, active listening, conflict resolution and message delivery.
Who we are
A Gambian academy with a global footprint.
Founded in 2019, TFA began as a public speaking academy responding to growing demand for effective communication. Today we deliver high-impact training in leadership, customer service, communication, team-building and change management — for government ministries, parastatals, leading financial institutions and prominent businesses.
- Cohorts of up to 10 for personal attention
- Interactive lectures + practical 'lab' sessions
- Certificate awarded on successful completion
- Virtual training delivered in UK, Saudi Arabia, Ghana & Malaysia
Founder & CEO
Pastor Francis Forbes
MRG · "The Nation's Pastor"
A respected Gambian leader, communicator and minister whose national influence spans nearly three decades. His acclaimed GRTS programme Discovering Truth has aired for 29 consecutive years — earning him the affectionate title "The Nation's Pastor".
An accomplished pianist and former World Piano Prize winner, Pastor Forbes is a trusted mediator, mentor and advisor — recognized with the Member of the Order of the Republic of The Gambia (MRG, 2008) and the RAIN Leadership Award (Accra, 2023).
Read full biographyEndorsements
Trusted by leaders across sectors.
"We have seen a remarkable transformation in our employees — greater confidence, polished presentations, clearer communication. Investing in this course was one of the best decisions we have made for professional development."
"I never thought I could learn so much about speaking in such a short period of time. Pastor Forbes uses real-life examples and makes sure you are tested and prepared for the real world."
"The Forbes Academy played an instrumental role in delivering comprehensive and targeted training to a substantial portion of our workforce — branch managers, relationship managers, marketing, sales and PR."
"Pastor Forbes provided exceptional training to our ministry — nothing short of transformative. He listens, offers constructive feedback, and inspires confidence."
Brands that have patronised TFA: Ecobank · TAF Africa Global · National Assembly Budget & Research Office (Nigeria) · Africell · Innovarx Global Health · Republic of The Gambia
Batch 106 begins this February.
Reserve your spot in our next public speaking cohort. Spots fill quickly — only 10 trainees per batch.