A World Bank monitoring mission traveled through several regions of Senegal, from Kédougou to Saint-Louis, including Matam, to assess the progress of the Senegal River Valley Community Resilience and Development Project (PRDC-VFS). On the ground, the results observed in key sectors such as education, health, and livestock farming reflect a significant improvement in the living conditions of the beneficiary populations.

 

Starting in Bakel, the mission stopped in several municipalities, including Diawara, Moudéry, Orkadiéré, and Bokidiawé, before continuing its journey through the departments of Podor and Dagana. This extended tour, according to project coordinator Mamadou Diedhiou, allowed for a concrete assessment of the impact of the completed sub-projects.

“We are filled with a sense of satisfaction,” he said, noting that this was the third monitoring mission. Unlike the previous missions, which were limited to Saint-Louis and then Dakar respectively, this mission covered the entire Senegal River valley, providing a comprehensive overview of the achievements.

In the communities visited, the teams observed progress in several priority areas. From educational infrastructure, such as the school in Bokidiawé, to health and economic initiatives, and including livestock farming, the investments made have a direct impact on the daily lives of the people. This momentum has been widely praised by local stakeholders and project partners.

The coordinator emphasized that these results stem from the first generation of sub-projects, funded to the tune of five billion CFA francs for the benefit of 44 municipalities. A second, much more ambitious phase is already in preparation with an estimated budget of 20 billion CFA francs. "We are currently in the procurement phase. The launch of this new generation of sub-projects should significantly amplify the impact," he explained.

Beyond investments, the approach adopted by the PRDC-VFS is also highlighted. Based on participation and inclusion, it promotes community involvement at all stages, from project selection to implementation. This approach strengthens local ownership and territorial anchoring of initiatives, guaranteeing sustainability.

However, Mamadou Diedhiou emphasizes a major challenge: the management and maintenance of the infrastructure built.

"A strategy is being deployed, including organizational assessments, training and support for local stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of investments," he stated.

The project, launched in 2024 under the auspices of the Ministry of Infrastructure and in conjunction with the Emergency Program for the Modernization of Border Areas and Territories (PUMA), has already made significant progress in several components. Support for local authorities, social cohesion initiatives, and institutional strengthening are showing encouraging results, notably through the mobilization of NGOs and the updating of planning tools.

Furthermore, particular attention is being paid to the involvement of the private sector. Consultation frameworks are being established to strengthen its participation in territorial development, particularly through local value chains.

At the halfway point, the PRDC-VFS is thus positioning itself as a structuring lever for the inclusive development of the Senegal River Valley.

With the expected acceleration of investments and the expansion of partnerships, the outlook looks promising for beneficiary communities.