Koungheul: DER/FJ puts 32 million FCFA on the table for women and youth

In Koungheul, local entrepreneurs are eager to seize the opportunities offered by the General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth (DER/FJ). This Thursday, the town welcomed the institution's Director General, Dr. Abdoulaye Niane, as part of his regional tour.

The meeting brought together administrative authorities, local elected officials, professional leaders, and beneficiaries. At the heart of the discussions were access to financing, but also how to make the most of the resources made available to entrepreneurs.

In Koungheul, 32 million CFA francs have been allocated to 250 beneficiaries grouped into 20 communities. A second phase of funding has also been announced.

Women want to seize their chance

Present at the meeting on behalf of the municipality, the deputy mayor of Koungheul, Ndeye Bineta Dramé, welcomed the support of the DER/FJ.

"The women of Koungheul are ready to welcome funding and work to develop their businesses," she said.

She also highlighted the involvement of the facilitator, Dr. Ahmadou Gaye, whose role was emphasized in supporting beneficiaries and facilitating their access to financing.

"Koungheul is a land of resistance"

Dr. Ahmadou Gaye welcomed the visit of the Delegate General and the funding granted to the people of Koungheul. He also called on the beneficiaries to fully understand the responsibility that comes with receiving this funding.

“Koungheul is a land of resistance,” he declared, particularly urging women to transform these resources into activities capable of sustainably generating income.

For him, funding should not be seen as mere aid, but as a means of growing an activity and, ultimately, enabling other beneficiaries to access the same opportunities.

Reimbursement, an essential condition

The issue of reimbursement came up several times during the meeting.

Mamadou Ndiaye, representing the Mastercard Foundation and DER/FJ in the funding process, indicated that women make up approximately 80% of the beneficiaries of the program presented. Depending on the specific arrangements, groups can access funding ranging from 1.5 to 2 million CFA francs.

He did, however, emphasize the importance of meeting deadlines. The goal is to enable current beneficiaries to consolidate their businesses, while ensuring that the same resources can benefit other entrepreneurs.

The same message came from the prefect of Koungheul, Ibrahima Ismaila Ndiaye. The administrative authority urged the beneficiaries to use the funds wisely and to honor their commitments.

"Timely reimbursement allows resources to be quickly made available to other beneficiaries," he reminded.

Nano-Credit to reach more populations

Nano-credit also featured prominently in the discussions. Aliou Barro, speaking on this topic, explained that this mechanism is specifically aimed at people who have more difficulty accessing traditional financing channels.

The stated ambition of the DER/FJ is therefore to go further into the territories and to reach localities that have been less covered until now.

According to figures released during the meeting, 221 groups in previously uncovered localities are involved in this initiative, benefiting several thousand people.

Abdoulaye Niane wants to bring the DER/FJ closer to the people

Speaking to stakeholders in Koungheul, Dr. Abdoulaye Niane reiterated his commitment to strengthening the presence of the DER/FJ in the territories.

"We need to reach out to the people and better understand the economic realities of each territory," he explained in essence, stressing the need to combine funding, training and support.

This visit is part of the territorial tour launched on September 14. Of the nine announced stops, the DER/FJ plans to reach 278 groups and more than 2,700 beneficiaries, for a total budget of 578 million CFA francs.

In Koungheul, the 32 million raised is therefore a first step. For the beneficiaries, the real challenge begins now: making this money work for them, developing their businesses, and honoring the commitments made so that the program can continue to benefit other women and young people in the department.