The fourth and final day of the national tour of the Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth (DER/FJ). Led by the general delegate, Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj, this final stage was dedicated to the presentation of results, discussions with beneficiaries, and the symbolic handover of funding and registration notices to Economic Interest Groups.

Saint-Louis: Consolidated results and heightened expectations

At the Saint-Louis departmental office, the head of the office presented the results of the first phase. The department has 492 trained beneficiaries, 27 individual businesses, and 31 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) that received funding. The total funding amounted to 83,329,870 FCFA. The number of jobs created stands at 337. The repayment rate is 76%. Current funding amounts to 28,000,000 FCFA, for 14 EIGs and 140 jobs currently being created. The overall funding is estimated at 111,329,870 FCFA for 45 EIGs and 27 individual businesses. The number of jobs created has reached 477, of which 79% are held by women and 5% by people with disabilities. The number of people trained is 492, of whom 74% are women and 7% have disabilities. The amount recovered is 16,192,917 FCFA, representing a repayment rate of +76%.

Among the beneficiaries, a group of people with disabilities involved in chicken farming expressed its satisfaction with the training and support it received in implementing its project. In her address, Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj highlighted the department's performance: "I expect more from Saint-Louis, and I know it can deliver." She reiterated the program's framework: "The Be Yes program is implemented with our main partner, the Mastercard Foundation. In July 2024, we launched this project, and everyone agrees that it is excellent. It is a project that sets its own limits and conditions." She emphasized the importance of training within the program. As a reminder, the overall program has benefited 15,293 people, including 325 women and 953 people with disabilities.

Present at the meeting, the Prefect of Saint-Louis, Abou Sow, praised the work of the DER/FJ: “I would like to commend the impetus you have provided since taking the helm of this institution. You have been able to implement the territorialization of public policies.” He spoke about the support provided to beneficiaries: “In Saint-Louis, we have a dynamic youth population and diverse sectors of activity. Previously, those receiving funding did not receive sufficient support, but with you, they benefit not only from the funding but also from effective guidance.” He set a goal for the department regarding loan recovery: “We must help the delegate to help us by making efforts to repay the loans.” He hopes to achieve an ambitious recovery rate of 95%, thus placing Saint-Louis among the leading departments in this area.

A symbolic handover of funding to 14 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) took place. During their visit to the stands, the prefect and the general delegate were able to admire products resulting from activities in market gardening, local product processing, fast food, and crafts.

Louga: diversification of activities

The delegation then stopped in Louga, where the head of the local office presented the program's results. The first phase resulted in 541 trained beneficiaries, 5 individual businesses, and 31 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs). The total funding amounted to 56,900,000 FCFA. 315 jobs were created, with a repayment rate of 84%. Current funding amounts to 34,000,000 FCFA, supporting 20 EIGs and 160 newly created jobs. The overall funding totals 90,900,000 FCFA for 51 EIGs and 5 individual businesses. 475 jobs were created, 71% of which are held by women and 6% by people with disabilities. 541 people were trained, 72% of whom are women and 6% have disabilities. The amount recovered exceeds 8 million FCFA.

Beneficiaries shared their experiences. Lamine Dieng, involved in cattle fattening, reported generating over 2 million FCFA in revenue. He praised the support provided by the local branch. The "Unir pour travailler" (Unite to Work) Economic Interest Group (GIE), active in agriculture, expanded its activities to include processing thanks to the program. The group trained 20 women in processing local grains. "When we support women, we support society," stated its spokesperson.

Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj encouraged women to form Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) to facilitate access to markets. She mentioned the support provided under the public policies related to food sovereignty championed by the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, particularly through the "Baay Sa Waar" project. This program aims to encourage Senegalese people to become involved in the agricultural sector.

The prefect of Louga, Maude Manga, congratulated the DER/FJ for the implementation of this program. Furthermore, she highlighted the inclusive nature of the program while encouraging beneficiaries to honor their commitments: "We must maintain this mobilization until the loans are repaid."

A symbolic handover of registration certificates and funding was carried out. Local product processing, livestock farming, and agriculture were the sectors presented by the beneficiaries during their visit to the dedicated stand.

Kébémer: High recovery rate and praised results

In Kébémer, the presentation of the results highlighted a high level of loan recovery. The department has 538 trained beneficiaries, 4 individual businesses, and 31 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) that received funding. The total funding amounted to 57,640,000 FCFA. The number of jobs created stands at 314. The repayment rate is 99%. Current funding amounts to 32,300,000 FCFA, supporting 19 EIGs and 190 newly created jobs. The overall funding totals 89,940,000 FCFA for 50 EIGs and 4 individual businesses. A total of 504 jobs have been created, 75% of which are held by women and 5% by people with disabilities. The number of people trained is 538, of whom 77% are women and 5% have disabilities. The amount recovered is 8,115,685 FCFA, representing a repayment rate of +99%, which places the department second among the best performers after Bambey.

Testimonials from beneficiaries demonstrated the program's impact, particularly in horticulture and poultry farming. A spokesperson expressed the satisfaction of the women in her village who are thriving in their work.

Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj praised the achievements: "a rate unseen anywhere else except in Kebemer." She highlighted the opportunities offered by the "Baay Sawar" project and encouraged beneficiaries wishing to expand their agricultural activities to seek land while remaining part of the Economic Interest Group (EIG).

The deputy prefect, Khadidiatou Baldé, emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship for young people and women. She urged the beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly.

Registration notices and funding were symbolically presented. A visit to the exhibition stands highlighted a sample of the beneficiaries' activities. Crafts, sewing, market gardening, and the processing of local products into juice were among the projects presented to the General Delegate.

Tivaouane: mixed results

The final stop on this national tour, Tivaouane, provided an opportunity to assess the program's progress in the department. The first phase resulted in 294 trained beneficiaries, 41 individual businesses, and 22 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) receiving funding. The total funding amounted to 74,120,000 FCFA. 261 jobs were created, with a repayment rate of 56%. The overall funding totaled 74,120,000 FCFA for the 22 EIGs and 41 individual businesses. 261 jobs were created, 81% of which were held by women and 5% by people with disabilities. 294 people received training, 79% of whom were women and 3% of whom had disabilities. The amount recovered was 15,376,830 FCFA, representing a repayment rate of 56%. One beneficiary spoke about the program's impact: "Before the DER, we either had to fend for ourselves or spent most of our time wandering the streets. But, thanks to the Be Yes program and the training provided by the DER, we were able to set up a chicken farming project. Now, we have the ambition to continue moving forward and conquer the national market and why not the international market."

Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj outlined the support process: “We formed Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) of 10 people and formalized them, culminating in the issuance of a registration certificate. Even if these EIGs don't obtain funding from the DER (Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship), they can still apply for funding from other programs or organizations. The document they received today gives them the necessary credibility to do so.” The Tivaouane department boasts a 56% loan recovery rate. This result doesn't please the general delegate, who hopes for more from the beneficiaries: “I want everyone who takes out loans to repay them. If the project promoters want to ensure the sustainability of this project, they must repay.”

Due to the current repayment rate, the department will not benefit from a second phase. In conclusion, Dr. Aissatou Mbodj expressed her desire to see the financing amount increase significantly in the next round, reaching 10 million FCFA or more. However, she emphasized that achieving this objective is contingent upon the beneficiaries' commitment, particularly regarding loan repayments. Mamadou Gueye, Prefect of Tivaoune, thanked the DER (Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship) for its commitment to the department, especially through its local branch. He assured the DER/FJ (Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship/Youth Fund) that he would remain involved and spare no effort to ensure the project's success, notably by mobilizing all state technical services. Regarding repayment, the outgoing Prefect urged beneficiaries to make their payments. "Young people, you must break with old practices," he declared concerning the loans. The meeting concluded with a symbolic presentation of registration certificates to Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) and a visit to the exhibition stands. Beneficiaries of the Be Yes program showcased their expertise in the coffee, local juice, crafts, and fast food sectors.