The Senegalese government, through the Projet d'appui à l'écomobilité et à l'entrepreneuriat des jeunes (PAEEJ), is set to introduce electric moto-taxis in the departments of Ziguinchor and Bignona. This initiative, presented during a regional development committee meeting, aims to create 50 direct jobs, with 30% reserved for young women, in the pilot phase. The project targets young people aged 18 to 35 and seeks to provide them with a more structured and safer profession.
The PAEEJ project is a collaborative effort between the Agence nationale pour la promotion de l'emploi des jeunes (ANPEJ) and the United Nations Development Programme (PNUD). Emmanuel Diédhiou, secretary general of ANPEJ, stated that the project aims to create decent and sustainable jobs while addressing environmental concerns and territorial vulnerabilities. The project also seeks to improve road safety and provide beneficiaries with a more protective professional framework.
The prefect of Ziguinchor, Latyr Ndiaye, highlighted that the PAEEJ project addresses three major concerns: employment, environmental protection, and road safety. The project aims to significantly reduce accidents related to moto-taxi activities. Fatou Bintou Sonko, representative of the PNUD, emphasized that the youth must be at the center of economic and social transformations, and that the project seeks to provide sustainable and inclusive solutions adapted to the needs of young people.
The project has already generated interest among young people, with Baboucar Diatta, president of the youth advisory council in Ziguinchor, encouraging his peers to seize this opportunity. He cited the success of similar projects in Matam, where some young people have exceeded 100,000 CFA francs in monthly income. The PAEEJ project aims to make sustainable mobility not only a tool for reducing environmental impact but also a gateway to more stable and dignified employment.
The PAEEJ project will provide beneficiaries with electric motorcycles, which are more robust and environmentally friendly. The project also includes training and accompaniment to help beneficiaries develop their professional skills and become more competitive in the job market. The project's goal is to support young people in transitioning from informal to formal employment.
The introduction of electric moto-taxis in Ziguinchor and Bignona is expected to have a positive impact on the environment and the local economy. The project is part of a broader effort to promote sustainable mobility and reduce the country's carbon footprint. The PAEEJ project is also expected to contribute to the country's economic growth by creating new job opportunities and stimulating entrepreneurship.
The PAEEJ project is set to be implemented in the coming months, with the first phase focusing on Ziguinchor and Bignona. The project's success will be closely monitored, and its impact will be evaluated to determine its potential for replication in other regions of Senegal. The project's stakeholders are optimistic about its potential to make a positive difference in the lives of young people and contribute to the country's sustainable development.
Key points
- The PAEEJ project aims to create 50 direct jobs in Ziguinchor and Bignona, with 30% reserved for young women.
