A forum organized by the WhatsApp platform "Ak Fi Rewmi Tolou 2" was held in Touba, Senegal, on September 27, 2026, to discuss the city's economic situation and gather proposals for a more inclusive economy. The event, attended by several authorities, elected officials, and development actors, aimed to produce a document to be submitted to state and religious authorities. The forum was held at the Mbacké communal complex, which was filled to capacity.
According to Mame Mor Ndiouck, an agronomist and organizer of the event, Mbacké is the most populous department in Senegal, and Touba Mosquée is one of the country's main economic hubs. However, he noted that the local economy is largely extraverted and does not benefit the local population sufficiently. The forum brought together various stakeholders to discuss ways to address this issue and create a more inclusive economy that benefits the local population.
Dr. Abdoulaye Niane, Delegate General for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth (DER/FJ), was a panelist at the forum. He highlighted the issue of youth and women's empowerment and the role the state should play. According to statistics from the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD), over 47% of young men in the department are unemployed, uneducated, and out of the education system. This proportion is even higher among young women, at 62-63%.
Dr. Niane emphasized that the department of Mbacké lacks a quality environment to enable youth empowerment. He advocated for rigorous measures from the state and mobilization of all actors to address the issue. The DER/FJ, he said, plays a role in training, formalizing, and financing economic activities. He also announced the establishment of a training center, which will operate both in-person and virtually, in collaboration with the "Ak Fi Rewmi Tolou 2" platform.
The forum also featured exchanges between authorities and development actors from the Mbacké department. Deputy Birima Mangara and Sokhna Maï Mbacké Diamil presented communications on the economic and social challenges facing the department. The discussions aimed to identify solutions to address these challenges and promote a more inclusive economy.
At the end of the forum, the "Ak Fi Rewmi Tolou 2" platform plans to compile the various reflections and proposals made during the event. The resulting document will be submitted to state and religious authorities to contribute to the reflection on the economic development prospects of Touba and the Mbacké department.
The event demonstrated the commitment of various stakeholders to addressing the economic challenges facing Touba and the Mbacké department. The proposals and recommendations made during the forum will be crucial in shaping the future of the region and promoting a more inclusive economy that benefits the local population.
Key points
- The forum in Touba aimed to gather proposals for a more inclusive economy and job creation, highlighting the need for state intervention and youth empowerment.
