The Fonds de Garantie des Investissements Prioritaires (Fongip) has been recognized for its efforts to support women entrepreneurs in Senegal. The fund's Secretary General, Abdoulaye Diassé, represented Fongip at the Global Forum on Financing for Women Entrepreneurs in Paris, held on October 1-2, 2026. The forum, organized by the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), brought together over 500 stakeholders from multilateral institutions, central banks, financial regulators, and service providers.

The forum focused on transforming commitments into sustainable and measurable results for women entrepreneurs, strengthening data systems, and implementing incentive mechanisms to improve financing for women-led businesses. Diassé participated in high-level discussions on these topics, highlighting Fongip's role in promoting financial inclusion and supporting women entrepreneurs in Senegal. The fund's efforts have been acknowledged as a model for other countries to follow.

Fongip's participation in the forum culminated in a prestigious award: the WE Finance Code Award, presented to Senegal in recognition of its actions and incentives to support women entrepreneurs' access to finance. This distinction underscores the Senegalese government's commitment to promoting financial inclusion and developing tailored solutions for women entrepreneurs.

The award is a testament to Fongip's effective strategies in addressing the financing gap for women-led businesses in Senegal. By providing guarantees and other forms of support, Fongip has enabled women entrepreneurs to access finance and grow their businesses. The fund's work has contributed to the country's economic growth and development.

The Global Forum on Financing for Women Entrepreneurs is an annual event that brings together stakeholders to discuss pressing issues related to women's economic empowerment. This year's forum built on previous discussions, focusing on concrete actions to support women entrepreneurs. Fongip's participation and recognition at the forum demonstrate Senegal's commitment to promoting women's economic empowerment.

The WE Finance Code Award is a significant recognition of Senegal's efforts to promote women's economic empowerment. The award will encourage Fongip to continue its work in supporting women entrepreneurs and promoting financial inclusion. The fund's success story will also inspire other countries to develop similar initiatives.

Fongip's achievement is a notable milestone in the country's efforts to promote women's economic empowerment. The fund's work has the potential to create a positive impact on the lives of women entrepreneurs and their families, contributing to Senegal's economic growth and development. The recognition at the global forum will help raise awareness about Fongip's work and inspire other stakeholders to support women's economic empowerment.

Key points

  • Fongip's WE Finance Code Award recognizes Senegal's actions and incentives to support women entrepreneurs' access to finance.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.