The impact of Senegal's Programme d'autonomisation économique des femmes (PAEF) is being felt in six communes, where 1,348 women from 215 groupements d'intérêt économique (GIE) are transforming their skills into income. The program, launched in 2024, aims to empower women economically through training and support. Nine months after completing their training, the women are producing and selling various products, including transformed local cereals, artisanal soap, and bleach.
The program's success was celebrated on September 30, 2026, in Darou Khoudoss, where women showcased their products and received official certification of their training. The event marked a significant milestone, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in enabling women to develop economic activities. According to Sandrina Gomez, head of the Développement durable et RSE department at Industries chimiques du Sénégal (ICS), the program has been expanded to six communes, with 1,348 women benefiting from training and support.
The training provided by PAEF, in partnership with Alliance sénégalaise pour le Consommer local and Women In Mining, covers various skills, including saponification, cereal transformation, and business planning. Ndeye Mbaye, president of the "Sope Borom Daradji" groupement and a program beneficiary, shared her experience, highlighting the program's positive impact on her income. Her group produces 350 bottles of bleach per month, generating a monthly profit of around 60,000 to 70,000 CFA francs.
Other beneficiaries, such as Diama Ndiaye, have also reported positive outcomes, citing improved skills and knowledge sharing within their GIE. The "Takku Ligueye" groupement in Méouane, specializing in cereal transformation, has achieved significant results, with a reported profit of 1.3 million CFA francs in nine months. These success stories demonstrate the program's potential to drive economic empowerment and improve the lives of women in Senegal.
To further support the women, ICS plans to establish transformation units in each of the six communes, providing shared equipment, improving product quality, and increasing production capacity. The units are expected to be operational in 2027 and will help the women to expand their businesses and access new markets. According to Mama Sougoufara, general director of ICS, the program's success is a testament to the women's capabilities and the importance of creating opportunities for economic growth.
The program's impact extends beyond economic benefits, as it also aims to promote social and environmental sustainability. Bousso Diop, from Women In Mining, encouraged the beneficiaries to formalize their GIE to access new markets and opportunities. Abdallah Tall, representing the mayors of the Méouane arrondissement, praised ICS for its commitment to local development and its role in empowering women.
As the program continues to grow and expand, the women involved are looking forward to a brighter future, with increased economic opportunities and improved living standards. The certification ceremony marked a significant milestone, but for Ndeye Mbaye and her fellow beneficiaries, it is just the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, filled with hope and promise.
Key points
- - 1,348 women from 215 GIE are generating income from their new skills nine months after completing PAEF training. - The program aims to establish transformation units in six communes to support women in expanding their businesses. - Beneficiaries have reported significant economic benefits, including increased income and improved skills.
