The General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth (DER/FJ) has reached a decisive milestone in its mission of economic transformation. This Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at its headquarters in Dakar, the institution held a press luncheon to present the impressive results of the 2025 fiscal year and outline its strategic roadmap for the coming year.

Under the leadership of the Director General, Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj, the meeting highlighted the organization's pivotal role in Senegalese society. Thanks to its extensive network of 46 departmental branches, the DER/FJ has successfully maintained a local presence, tailoring its solutions to the specific needs of each region. The figures speak for themselves: over 37 billion CFA francs in funding has been injected into the economy, benefiting more than 48,000 project leaders, the vast majority of whom are women (80%). These interventions have targeted key sectors such as agriculture, industry, technology, and transportation.

PAVIE 2 at the heart of the employment strategy

A true cornerstone of government action since its launch in May 2025 by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, the second phase of the Project to Support and Promote Entrepreneurial Initiatives (PAVIE 2) is proving its impact. This program has already generated or consolidated more than 92,000 direct and indirect jobs. Beyond the figures, PAVIE 2 stands out for its inclusive approach. It now includes vulnerable groups, notably people with disabilities, returning migrants, and Koranic schools. A major innovation was also highlighted: the creation of the "Pink Fund," a dedicated fund to support women with breast cancer, thus combining entrepreneurship and healthcare solidarity.

To support this momentum and ensure optimal visibility for projects across the entire territory, Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj announced that an envelope of 240 million CFA francs will be devoted to media coverage of the project by the national press.

Outlook 2026: Sovereignty and Innovation

The year 2026 is shaping up to be one of consolidation towards Senegal becoming an "entrepreneurial hub." The DER/FJ plans to deploy structuring projects such as the "Bay sa war" program and the formalization of 3,000 community agricultural cooperatives. These initiatives aim not only to strengthen economic growth, but above all to ensure the country's food sovereignty through the modernization of the primary sector.

The meeting concluded on a modern note with the inauguration of the "DER TV" podcast studio.

This new digital communication tool will serve as a platform to showcase the successes of local entrepreneurs. At the same time, the launch of the "DER Academy" strengthens the institutional offering by providing continuing education and technical support, thus ensuring the sustainability of the funded businesses.