On October 28, 2026, Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye met with presidents of the Chambers of Crafts and their National Union, emphasizing the need to make artisanal activities a key pillar of entrepreneurship and economic transformation in Senegal. The President highlighted the importance of integrating the artisanal sector into the national Agenda 2050 for Senegal's transformation. He stressed the need for measures to enhance the sector's contribution to the economy.
President Faye outlined several priorities for the artisanal sector, including the valorization of local know-how, vocational training, apprenticeships, job creation, and insertion. He also emphasized promoting "Made in Senegal" products and encouraging the consumption of local goods. To achieve these goals, the President instructed the government to take concrete steps to support artisans, including a general census of artisans and their enrollment in suitable programs.
The President aims to improve artisans' access to public procurement and has called for a complementary restructuring of the activities of the Agency for the Promotion and Development of Artisanal Activities (APDA) and the National Furniture Project. He also stressed the need to study the establishment of a special fund for financing artisanal activities, which would integrate existing state initiatives and direct contributions from artisans.
The proposed special fund aims to facilitate artisans' access to the financial system and enhance their professionalization. President Faye also requested the reinforcement and modernization of infrastructure, equipment, and logistics parks of the Chambers of Crafts. Additionally, he emphasized the need to regularize the land tenure of sites hosting artisanal villages.
To ensure the implementation of these measures, the Prime Minister is tasked with organizing an interministerial council dedicated to the development of the artisanal sector by the end of 2026. This meeting will define the necessary measures for the modernization of the sector and its better integration into national development policies.
The President's initiatives aim to boost the artisanal sector, which is crucial for Senegal's economic growth and stability. The creation of a special fund for financing artisanal activities is expected to play a significant role in supporting artisans and promoting the sector's development.
The Senegalese government is expected to implement the President's instructions, which will likely have a positive impact on the artisanal sector and the country's economy. The sector's growth is anticipated to create new job opportunities and contribute to the country's economic transformation.
Key points
- President Faye aims to make artisanal activities a key pillar of entrepreneurship and economic transformation in Senegal.
- The President has instructed the government to create a special fund for financing artisanal activities.
- The proposed fund aims to facilitate artisans' access to the financial system and enhance their professionalization.
