The National Committee of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (CN-EITI) is holding a Regional Development Committee (CDR) meeting this Tuesday in Matam to present the results of the 2024 EITI Report, and more specifically, extractive data from the region. Chairing the meeting, Matam Deputy Governor Tafsir Baba Anne noted from the outset that of the 455.99 billion CFA francs in extractive revenue generated nationally in 2024, the Matam region contributed 5.993 billion CFA francs, representing 1.31% of the total. Of this amount, 5.641 billion CFA francs were directly transferred to the state budget. The Senegal River Valley Mining Company (SOMIVA), the region's main operator, produced 532,353 tons of phosphates, of which 230,418 tons were exported with a commercial value of [amount missing] CFA francs. "This reality of the value of our extractive resources requires ongoing public debate, increased disclosure of information and active participation of citizens, particularly at the territorial level," he said.

 

A contribution of nearly 6 billion FCFA

 

Thialy Faye, Chairman of the EITI National Committee, stated that this contribution comes primarily from the mining sector, with the Senegal River Valley Mining Company (SOMIVA) playing a dominant role, alongside other operators active in the region. He added that mining activities in Matam also generate significant local economic benefits. “In terms of employment, more than 1,300 people work at SOMIVA, with a large majority of national workers, and a total payroll of over 2.5 billion CFA francs. These direct and indirect jobs are a significant driver of household income and the local economy. The region also records transactions with local suppliers amounting to 31.65 billion CFA francs, demonstrating the potential of local content and the opportunities offered to regional businesses and service providers,” he explained.

Regarding transfers to local authorities, Thialy Faye notes that the data from the report shows that, for the year 2023, the equipment support allocation from mining resources allocated to the Matam region amounts to nearly 239 million CFA francs, distributed between the departments of Matam, Kanel and Ranérou.

However, he emphasizes that while these results are encouraging, they also reveal significant challenges. "The availability and quality of information on social and environmental spending, as well as the full traceability of subnational flows, remain major issues. The National EITI Committee, in conjunction with the government, businesses, and civil society, continues to work towards ever more comprehensive transparency that is useful for public decision-making," he says.

 

Subnational transfers, monitoring of local impacts and accountability to citizens

According to the president of the EITI National Committee, Senegal obtained a score of 89 points in 2024, classified as “Very good”, during the evaluation of the implementation of the 2023 EITI Standard.

“This result is the fruit of a collective commitment, but it obliges us to continue reforms, particularly in the areas of subnational transfers, monitoring of local impacts and accountability to citizens. The Matam region has real potential. Transparency of extractive data is not an end in itself; it constitutes a tool to aid territorial planning, a support for dialogue between stakeholders and a lever for democratic accountability,” he suggested.