The second day of the BE YES program's national tour took the delegation from the General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth (DER/FJ) to several departments in the interior of the country. Led by the General Delegate, Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj, this field mission continued in line with the objectives set since the initiative's launch, with visits to local branches, presentations of results, and the disbursement of funding.

Tambacounda: Results presented and a call for reimbursement

In Tambacounda, the delegation visited the branch office and the Fablab before touring several project sites. The branch manager presented the program's results for the department. Data from the first phase shows that 276 beneficiaries were trained, and 22 individual businesses and 23 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) were funded. The total funding amounted to 62,118,000 FCFA, resulting in 252 consolidated jobs. The repayment rate reached 38%. The overall funding covered 23 EIGs and 22 individual businesses. The 252 jobs created totaled 64%, with 7% held by women and 6% by people with disabilities. The number of people trained was 276, with 63% being women and 6% having disabilities. The amount recovered was 8,301,310 FCFA, representing a repayment rate of 38%. The branch manager invited the beneficiaries to return the loaned funds in order to allow the refinancing of other project promoters.

The representative of the mayor of Tambacounda also spoke. She urged the beneficiaries to repay their loans to ensure the sustainability of the initiative. She requested the signing of a partnership agreement between the Tambacounda town hall and the DER (Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship) to develop other projects. Jean-Pierre Bindia, president of a GIE (Economic Interest Group) involved in plastic waste recycling, reforestation, and landscaping, spoke about the impact of the funding on his activities: “When I received my funding, it allowed me to carry out my work. Thanks to this funding, we are creating jobs and training young people.”

Subsequently, Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj, the Director General, commended the Prefect's involvement in the program's implementation. She stated, "You are very close to what is happening and you know what is going on at the DER (Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship) level." She addressed the repayment rate and clarified, "For the DER to continue providing assistance, payments must be made. (...) DER funds are public money. We must recover this money." The Director General's emphasis on repayment stemmed from a specific reason: "If a department recovers 70% of its funds, we will refinance it for the second phase."

In his remarks, the Prefect of Tambacounda, Alioune Badara Mbengue, addressed the difficulties related to debt collection: “It’s a common practice. When people receive subsidies from the State, they think it’s a gift and they don’t pay. But we’re not going to let this continue. We have a role to play in raising awareness, and we will do it.” He promised to accelerate the process in the coming days: “Starting next week, I will work with the local branch manager, summoning all those who owe money to expedite debt collection.” The representative of the Head of State in the Tambacounda department hopes that once these funds are recovered, phase 2 of the project can be implemented: “Perhaps we won’t receive funding today, but we hope that once everything is settled, you will come back to finance us.” The delegation then visited several projects exhibited at a stand which are active in the fields of local product processing, market gardening, air conditioning but also in the manufacture of paving stones from recycled materials.

Goudiry: Diversified activities and expected repayments

The General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth resumed its journey towards Goudiry. There, the head of the local office presented the program's data. The first phase enabled the training of 275 beneficiaries and the financing of 23 individual businesses and 25 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs). The total financing amounted to 64,999,850 FCFA. The number of jobs created reached 273. The repayment rate is 57%. The overall volume concerns 25 EIGs and 23 individual businesses. The 273 jobs created total 71%, held by women and 4% by people with disabilities. The 275 people trained, 71% of whom are women and 4% have disabilities. The amount recovered is 12,430,001 FCFA, representing a rate of 57%. Here too, the recovery of start-up funds is proving difficult. Therefore, the head of the local branch invited the beneficiaries to proceed with the repayment of the loans.

Thiédel Diallo being unable to attend, his representative, the mayor, welcomed the delegation's visit to the department: "We are delighted by your visit to Goudiry. We are aware of all the good work you are doing at the DER." He took the opportunity to appeal to the beneficiaries regarding the current issue: "This is an opportunity to ask the people of Goudiry who have benefited from DER funding to begin repaying their loans, as the interest rate is very low. Repayment is necessary to be eligible for further funding in the future."

For Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj, the development of this department could create a virtuous cycle in the Senegalese economy: “Goudiry is far from Dakar; if we succeed in creating jobs, it will greatly relieve the central government (…) But for that to happen, you need to get down to work seriously and we need to refinance your projects. But for that to happen, you need to pay off your debts so you can be eligible for the second phase.” A visit to the booth dedicated to funded projects showcased local product processing, detergent manufacturing, and sewing.

Bakel: Funding underway and follow-up announced

In Bakel, the delegation visited the branch office and the creativity space. The branch manager presented the results of the first phase. The department has trained 420 beneficiaries, funded 25 individual businesses and 22 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs). The total funding amounts to 64,999,850 FCFA. 245 jobs have been consolidated. The repayment rate is 59%. Ongoing funding totals 28,900,000 FCFA, supporting the creation of 170 jobs and funding 17 EIGs. The total funding amounts to 93,899,850 FCFA. 415 jobs have been created, 77% of which are held by women and 5% by people with disabilities. 420 people have been trained, 76% of whom are women and 6% of whom have disabilities. The amount recovered is 15,266,231 FCFA, representing a rate of 59%.

The mayor's representative, El Hadji Doudou Diop, declared: "Based on what I have seen here, these courageous women deserve your support to help them reach their full potential. You can count on the Bakel department. I thank you for all the efforts you are making to put the Bakel department on the path to development." A beneficiary with a disability pleaded for an increase in the 5% quota reserved for this category.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj addressed the preferential treatment given to Bakel in this program, expressing her hope for a shift in the beneficiaries' attitudes: "Today, the program is entering its second phase, but Bakel has been given a second chance. Normally, we should be giving second chances to those who have exceeded the 70% repayment rate." She added, "We thought that this second chance would boost repayment rates." The general delegate concluded by asking the beneficiaries to repay the loans granted in order to expand the project within the community. To this end, Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj did not rule out resorting to law enforcement and the courts by contacting the public prosecutor and the gendarmerie.

On this point, Daouda Sene, prefect of Bakel, sought to reassure everyone: "We have compiled a list of all those who have not paid, and starting today, we will begin the recovery process." A symbolic handover of funds took place. A visit to the booths showcased processing, market gardening, and baking activities.

Kanel: welcoming the population and reminding them of their commitments

The delegation arrived in Bakel to a warm welcome, both in the sweltering 40-degree Celsius heat and in the enthusiastic singing and dancing of the local people. Mayor Haymouth Abdoul Daff, the host, welcomed the large delegation from the DER (Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship) and congratulated Dr. Aissatou Mbodj on the leadership she has demonstrated since assuming the position.

Getting straight to the point, the branch manager presented the results of the Be Yes program in the department. The first phase enabled the training of 248 beneficiaries and the financing of 23 individual businesses and 20 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs). The total amount of financing was 47,055,000 FCFA. 223 jobs were created. The repayment rate was 38%. The total funding amounted to 47,055,000 FCFA. Of the 223 jobs created, 73% were held by women and 4% by people with disabilities. The number of people trained was 248, of whom 74% were women and 4% had disabilities. The amount recovered was 4,942,995 FCFA, representing a repayment rate of 38%. Regarding this last figure, the branch manager urged the beneficiaries, particularly the women, to repay their loans.

Helping women, young people, and people with disabilities conquer the local market. According to Aissatou Mbodj, this is the driving ambition of the DER/FJ. But to achieve this goal, certain prerequisites must be met. "This loan belongs to the State. By repaying it, you will allow other women to benefit," she tells the crowd. "Those who are motivated by work will take this loan and repay it." Despite this 38% repayment rate, the general delegate remains optimistic: "I hope that in a few months, the prefect will call me back to tell me to come and deliver the second installment because the loans will have been repaid."

In this quest for debt recovery, the DER (Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship) can count on the prefect's involvement. "I urge the head of the local branch to identify the GIEs (Economic Interest Groups) that are in arrears, and everything will be done to ensure repayment," declared Cheikh Ahmadou Ndoye. On a more positive note, the prefect expressed his satisfaction with the program's results in the department. To increase the success rate of projects undertaken within the Be Yes program, the prefect suggested that the head of the local branch approach public authorities for support. He explained that a GIE whose project is successful has a much greater chance of repaying its debts more easily.

The BE YES program, funded by the Mastercard Foundation with USD 10 million over two years, plans to establish seven innovation hubs and fourteen creativity spaces across Senegal's fourteen regions. It aims to foster entrepreneurial skills and multi-sectoral innovation among young people, with a focus on young women, people with disabilities, and returning migrants.