The General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth (DER/FJ) has concluded its two-day entrepreneurship promotion event in Casamance (southern region). These days, marked by solidarity and highlighting opportunities, aimed to encourage local populations to participate in a dynamic of national economic sovereignty, driven by the Senegal 2025 Vision of the new authorities.

Solidarity and Opportunities: The Guiding Thread

The event combined several key actions:

Support for Vulnerable People: A specific step in Niassya made it possible to meet and support displaced women and victims of mines, demonstrating the social commitment of DER/FJ.

Training and Funding: The DER/FJ presented its training, formalization and project funding mechanisms, specifically targeting young people and women in this region with strong economic potential.

Inaugurations and exhibition: These days were punctuated by product exhibitions in Ziguinchor (green economy, crafts, agroecology), panels, and the inauguration of service spaces (units) of the DER/FJ in Kamounda and Dionguer (Sédhiou).

The closing ceremony in Ziguinchor provided an opportunity for a jury to select and present the five winning youth projects.

The General Delegate of the DER/FJ, Dr. Aïssatou Aida Mbodji, made a passionate appeal to the youth and women of the southern region, urging them to embrace boldness and dignity: “Look at the Baobab tree; its roots plunge deep into the earth, yet its branches extend beyond any horizon. Be like the Baobabs, daughters of the North, women of the South, sons of the South, men of the North. We are the villages of a diverse and unique Senegal. Your future will not be built on reproduction, but on boldness. On the ability to be fully rooted in your land and resolutely citizens of the world.”

Presiding over the closing ceremony on behalf of Governor Mor Talla Tine, Alsény Bangoura, Deputy Governor in charge of development, congratulated the organizers and participants.

He stressed that the spirit shown by the award winners, the initiatives and the testimonials shared highlighted the "dynamism of our entrepreneurs, particularly that of our youth and our brave women who innovate every day to build a stronger and more inclusive local economy."

The administrative authority also wished to commend the commitment of the DER/FJ to the vulnerable groups in the Ziguinchor region, in particular the support provided to cooperatives and displaced women in the commune of Niassya.