DER/FJ: Dr. Abdoulaye Niane officially succeeds Aïssatou Mbodj

A solemn moment took place this Friday at the General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth (DER/FJ). Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj officially handed over the reins of the institution to Dr. Abdoulaye Niane, in the presence of technical and financial partners, the Board of Directors, and staff.

An impact-focused assessment

In her farewell speech, the outgoing Director General reviewed her two years at the helm of the DER/FJ. She highlighted the main results achieved during her tenure. According to her, nearly 46.98 billion CFA francs were invested in entrepreneurship, providing financial support to 54,494 women and young people and granting more than 107,000 loans across the country.

For Aïssatou Mbodj, the true measure of success isn't a matter of numbers: "Our real achievement lies in farms that are productive. Workshops that keep Senegalese know-how alive. Young people who have chosen to become entrepreneurs rather than wait. Or worse, leave," she explained. Beyond the figures, she emphasized the thousands of income-generating activities created, the businesses strengthened, and the women who have regained their economic independence.

Dr. Mbodj also highlighted the DER/FJ's territorial expansion, notably with 46 departmental branches and 21 creative spaces. She also mentioned flagship programs: the completed PAVIE 1, the PAVIE 2 launched with a budget of 107 billion CFA francs, community agricultural cooperatives, and especially the Bay Sa Waar ci Senegaal program , which includes 3,000 integrated and connected farms, 50 of which are pilot farms already underway. She also cited the Rose Fund, which supports women with cancer or in remission.

More than 20 billion left in the accounts and the file for the future headquarters

One of the highlights of her presentation concerned the construction site of the future DER/FJ headquarters. Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj explained that upon her arrival, the project was practically at a standstill, with only 16% of the work completed. She commended the steps taken, particularly the legal action that had enabled the recovery of the entire initial advance payment. "The entire initial advance payment will be recovered. The process is underway. The DER/FJ can now look ahead to the inauguration of its headquarters in the medium term," she stated.

The outgoing Director General paid tribute to the staff of the DER/FJ for their professionalism and commitment, stating that the teams constitute "the memory and the soul" of the institution. Addressing her successor, she praised "a solid, credible, and respected institution" before adding: "Listen to these teams, Mr. Director General. Trust them. Value their expertise. I am handing over this institution to you with peace of mind." She finally revealed that she was leaving more than 20 billion CFA francs in the organization's accounts.

Visibly moved, Aïssatou Mbodj concluded: “Tonight, I leave this house like a sower leaves his field. Empty-handed, but with a full heart… Positions come and go. Decrees fade. Servants depart. But there is one thing that no signature can give, no signature can take away: the honor of having served. Senegal gave me everything. I gave everything. Today, I return to it a strong institution, a vibrant youth movement, and a promise kept.”

Abdoulaye Niane: "Continue, amplify, and earn trust"

Speaking after the handover, the new Director General, Dr. Abdoulaye Niane, first thanked the President of the Republic for the trust placed in him. He also paid tribute to his predecessor and the staff: "The continuity of the State and public service requires us to give them respect and consideration," he declared.

Having worked closely with the organization, including the BNDE, a strategic partner of the DER/FJ, the new Director General pledged to maintain continuity: "We are committed to continuing and expanding our activities... We come with the hope of elevating our mission even further and, above all, of earning the President's trust," he affirmed. He concluded by calling on the Senegalese people to support the path laid out by the Head of State for the country's recovery and development.