DER/FJ in Matam: More than 65.5 million FCFA mobilized for the benefit of 675 beneficiaries

The territorialization of DER/FJ financing mechanisms continues across Senegal. After stops in Saint-Louis and the department of Podor, the General Delegate, Abdoulaye Niane, visited Matam as part of a national tour dedicated to raising awareness, enrolling and distributing funding to the population.

This approach aims to bring the DER/FJ support mechanisms closer to citizens, enabling them to better understand the available opportunities and take ownership of the systems put in place to support their economic initiatives. The BE YES Program and Nano Credit are among the instruments presented during this phase.

In Matam, the funding handover ceremony took place in the presence of Prefect Modou Thiam, administrative and territorial authorities, as well as economic, community, religious, and traditional leaders. On this occasion, Abdoulaye Niane commended the community's mobilization, with particular mention of the women, sports and cultural associations (ASC), and young beneficiaries.

Abdoulaye Niane calls on young people and women to seize the opportunities

Beyond the disbursement of funds, the Director General emphasized the need for greater youth engagement in entrepreneurial initiatives. While he welcomed their presence in Matam, he noted lower participation at other stages of the tour, expressing his hope for significantly higher turnout in the future.

For Abdoulaye Niane, youth involvement is essential to the success of public empowerment policies: “In the home, women play a vital role, but their sons and children must also be present alongside them,” he emphasized. It was with this in mind that he mentioned the launch of the “One Community Sports Association, One Project” initiative, designed to offer young people concrete opportunities for economic development.

Addressing women in particular, the Delegate General encouraged them to take full advantage of the financing mechanisms offered by the State, characterized by reduced rates, very flexible guarantee requirements and support for formalization.

“With reduced rates, almost no collateral required, and support for training and formalization, you can grow and become high-quality entrepreneurs. Why not borrow 10 million, 20 million, 50 million, and why not 100 million tomorrow? You are ambitious Senegalese women. Matam is a land of brave women,” he declared.

27 groups enrolled and a bet on the culture of repayment

Speaking on behalf of the umbrella organizations, the departmental coordinator welcomed the initiative while highlighting the challenges related to local unemployment. He advocated for a microcredit system that is even more tailored to the realities on the ground, while emphasizing that regular repayment remains essential for the system's sustainability. On behalf of the beneficiaries, the youth representative expressed his gratitude, describing these loans as a valuable tool for empowering young people in Matam to take control of their own destinies.

In closing his speech, Abdoulaye Niane presented the figures for this stage: 27 groups enrolled and more than 65.5 million FCFA allocated to 675 beneficiaries.

The General Delegate concluded with a call for rigorous management and respect for deadlines: "Build trust and you will go from small business to large enterprise," he advised, urging local stakeholders to make this funding the springboard for genuine entrepreneurial success in the region.