Saloum Delta: The ILO is banking on green jobs to empower women and young people

The International Labor Organization (ILO) organized, this October 10, 2026 in Dakar, a day to promote products from the Saloum Delta. Chaired by the Minister of Livestock, Ousmane Diagne, this initiative aims to boost the income of women and young people in the region.

Faced with the effects of climate change which threaten ecosystems and livelihoods in the Saloum Delta, the International Labor Organization (ILO) is counting on beekeeping and shellfish farming to create decent jobs and strengthen the income of women and young people. It is in this context that a day of promotion and marketing of “Made in Delta du Saloum” products was held last Saturday. Organized within the dynamics of the “Green Jobs for Women and Youth in the Saloum Delta” project, implemented by the ILO with financial support from German Cooperation (GIZ), this event highlighted mangrove honey, forest honey, oysters, arks and shrimps through exhibitions and tastings. These products, resulting from the know-how of young local entrepreneurs, served as a support for business meetings between cooperatives and potential buyers from the hotel, catering and distribution industries. According to Samira Daoud, director of the ILO regional office in Dakar, the project created or supported 1,200 jobs, 70% of which are held by women. “In terms of production, 755 modern hives have been installed in 20 school apiaries, an oyster farm of more than 7 tonnes has been set up, and the beekeeping center now ensures the packaging of honey,” she said. She also recalled that the different components of the project were structured into 15 cooperative companies compliant with OHADA standards, thus allowing them to conclude commercial contracts. In terms of social protection, the initiative offered health coverage to 3,500 people.

However, according to Samira Daoud, the sustainability of these achievements now depends on the capacity of beneficiaries to sell their products. She therefore launched an urgent appeal to hoteliers, restaurateurs, distributors and buyers so that they obtain their supplies directly from the cooperatives of the Saloum Delta. “Each contract signed with a cooperative in the Saloum Delta guarantees a stable income for a family and actively contributes to the preservation of the mangrove,” she underlined. Presiding over the ceremony, the Minister of Livestock, Ousmane Diagne, pleaded for the replication of this successful approach in the seven other beekeeping regions of Senegal. He insisted on the urgency of strengthening training, professionalization of the sector and the quality of products in order to transform beekeeping into a real lever for jobs and sustainable income.

Souleymane WANE