On behalf of the Governor of the Thiès region, the Deputy Sub-Prefect of Thiès-Nord, El Hadji Dame Fall, presided over the opening ceremony of the information day on the "Agri-Accelerator 2.0" program on Monday, February 9, 2026. The meeting, held at the Decorative Arts Factory, took place in the presence of the representative of the Mayor of the City and officials from ANPEJ.

Organised within the framework of the partnership between the National Agency for the Promotion of Youth Employment (ANPEJ) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), this initiative aims to support the emergence of innovative, resilient and sustainable agricultural enterprises.

A decisive step for the mango and oyster farming sectors

The administrative authority reiterated that this program aligns with the State's strategic priorities regarding youth employment and agri-food transformation. Following several preliminary campaigns targeting cooperatives and economic interest groups (GIEs), this regional phase directly targets candidates shortlisted after the call for expressions of interest launched in December 2025.

The Thiès region is hosting the first of these sessions, before the one in Saint-Louis. It involves seventy young agri-entrepreneurs working mainly in the mango and oyster farming sectors, two sectors with strong economic potential and creators of sustainable jobs in the area.

The commitment of ANPEJ and FAO

Ms. Sow Fatou Lèye, head of the Self-Employment Unit at ANPEJ, emphasized the agency's central role in supporting young people to become agents of territorial development. "We are in the awareness-raising phase, an essential step in preparing young entrepreneurs to fully benefit from the opportunities offered by the program," she explained, stressing the importance of social and environmental responsibility.

For his part, Mr. Oumar Syll, FAO representative in Senegal, indicated that this event constitutes a crucial moment for technical sharing. He reiterated the global challenges, particularly food insecurity exacerbated by international conflicts and climate change. According to him, it is imperative to "produce more with less" by stimulating responsible investments.

Objectives of the Agri-Accelerator 2.0 Hub

The overall objective of this campaign is to foster greater ownership of the program by local stakeholders. The Agri-Accelerator 2.0 program is not limited to financial support; it strengthens skills, mobilizes local actors, and encourages inclusive entrepreneurship.

Thanks to this synergy between ANPEJ and FAO, the 70 young people identified in Thiès now have the necessary tools to transform their projects into sustainable businesses, thus contributing to national food security.