Family security grants: the government doubles the envelope to 140 billion FCfa

The government intends to demonstrate that budgetary rigor will not be to the detriment of the most vulnerable populations. In front of the press, the Minister of Economy, Finance and Planning, Cheikh Diba, reaffirmed the State’s desire to make social equity a major axis of its new economic trajectory.

The flagship announcement concerns the rise of the family security scholarship program. Currently with an annual budget of 70 billion FCFA for 500,000 beneficiary families, the system will see its envelope double from 2027 to reach 140 billion FCFA. This strengthening will also make it possible to double the number of beneficiary households, which will increase to one million across the national territory.

This acceleration of social protection is part of the overall reform of the energy subsidy system, hitherto deemed socially inequitable and budgetarily difficult to sustain. “Each requirement for fairness is inseparable from the protection of the most vulnerable,” underlined the Minister of the Economy, before adding: “The reform of subsidies can therefore only succeed if it is accompanied by a substantial strengthening of our social protection system. »

To meet the immediate needs of families, a precise timetable has been set by the authorities. The payment of the next tranche of family security grants will take place before the end of September, thus offering financial support to low-income households as the start of the school year approaches.

Beyond family security grants, the executive intends to maintain the social effort in the multi-year budgetary programming. “Social spending will be a priority in the budget for the next three years,” assured Cheikh Diba, placing this policy in a broader perspective of strengthening social protection and human development.

Pathé NIANG