The city of Rufisque hosted a signing ceremony for funding agreements on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Mayor Dr. Oumar Cissé formalized a partnership with 128 new women's groups, bringing the total number of organizations supported over four years by the Community Initiatives Support and Monitoring Program (PASIC) to 262.

The meeting brought together women from all 136 neighborhoods of the municipality, demonstrating the growing importance of PASIC in local development. This program, initiated by the municipality, aims to support economic and social initiatives through a microfinance mechanism.

In less than a year, the program has grown from 45 funded groups to an additional 128, representing 10,417 new beneficiaries integrated into the "Local Economy" component. In total, 18,913 members have received support since the program's launch.

Abdoulaye Faye, coordinator of PASIC, welcomed the mobilization and reminded the beneficiaries of the need to manage these funds seriously.

"These funds are valuable tools that must be made profitable through work so that the impact is real and lasting in every household in Rufisque," he said.

For his part, Mayor Dr. Oumar Cissé emphasized that the PASIC is a component of the Sustainable Urban Development Plan (PDUD) and represents a unique experience in Senegal, Rufisque being the only municipality to implement such a program. He stressed the central role of women in the local economy.

"All the women of Rufisque responded today, and that gives us the strength to continue," the mayor stated.

He added that local development cannot be a reality without women, whom he considers "key players in the economic fabric."

After four years, the PASIC project has resulted in training in local product processing for 135 groups, support for 100 Jakarta motorcycle drivers to obtain their licenses, and training for 100 hairdressers. On the environmental front, 68 neighborhoods have received funding for paving and sanitation, and infrastructure projects such as the Diokoul Kaw bridge have been completed.

The mayor affirmed his commitment to participatory governance centered on citizen action.