In Casamance, where youth unemployment and irregular migration threaten the future, a local initiative demonstrates that it is possible to transform challenges into opportunities. In Ziguinchor, the Jógjëf incubator led the "Making Entrepreneurship Accessible to Everyone (REACH)" initiative for three years. The program enabled dozens of young people to stay, start businesses, and build their futures locally.

These young project leaders have supported more than 50 entrepreneurs in the Ziguinchor, Kolda, and Sédhiou regions. Through its four components – awareness-raising, ideation, incubation, and financing – the project has enabled young project leaders to transform their ideas into viable businesses, according to Babacar Signaté, head of the Jógjëf incubator.

After years of operation, the results are significant, the young head of the incubator reported: 30 incubated projects received a grant; 30 projects from the ideation phase also received funding.

  

In total, nearly 100 million CFA francs were distributed in subsidies, enabling young entrepreneurs to launch their businesses and create local employment.

Over 80% of the supported businesses are still active today, demonstrating the program's effectiveness. Beyond the figures, these young entrepreneurs, through this project, have highlighted the need to strengthen support and have issued a strong appeal to the authorities on this matter.

While the Digital University played a crucial role by hosting the incubator for six years, and while technical and financial partners such as the French Development Agency (AFD) provided considerable support, the overall project funding only covered 60% of the needs. The remaining 40% was not secured, limiting the scope of the planned activities, explained Babacar Signaté.

This observation underlines the importance of a stronger commitment from local and national authorities.

To amplify the impact and offer more young people the opportunity to integrate through entrepreneurship, increased support in terms of resources and public policies is essential.

The "Making Entrepreneurship Accessible to Everyone (REACH)" initiative has demonstrated that with appropriate support, young people can build their future locally.