Female entrepreneurship: 16 women from the region honored for their know-how

Working in different food processing chains, women contribute significantly to the local economic fabric. However, their experience is not visible despite their efforts. It is with this in mind that the regional family management intends to work to promote champions in each sector.

The regional family management of Sédhiou honored the women champions in the field of transformation this Tuesday, August 11, 2026. In total, 16 women from all three departments were awarded for their work, a source of pride for Aïda Mandiang, president of the GIE Gnacouwali, also representative of the champions in transformation in the Sédhiou region. “There were a lot of applications submitted to the family management, finally we were chosen among the 16 in transformation and the empowerment of women in the Sédhiou region,” rejoiced Aïda Mandiang.

“We seek to strengthen their confidence”

This initiative aims to promote the inspiring journeys of women entrepreneurs. For his part, Simon Roy, director of the project to support the economic and social empowerment of women and young people, at Développement International Desjardins, believes that the operation of an income-generating activity requires, in rural areas, through entrepreneurship carried out mainly by women. Without presuming to teach women how to be entrepreneurs, he says, we seek to strengthen their confidence by providing them with tools so that they can access the resources to which they are entitled and accelerate their growth by managing income and jobs in the region.

“Serve as an example for their peers”

This campaign aimed to promote the champions of empowerment, coming from the three departments of the Sédhiou region. “The objective is to promote all these efforts so that women can serve as an example for their peers,” said the head of the regional executive. Diadia Dia welcomed the support of Pafej. “For this edition, 16 have been identified, but there are many more,” he said. He invited the initiators to increase activities of this type so that we can have thousands of champions in the region.

Projects in sight

This initiative is part of the missions of the ministry responsible for family, social action and solidarity. According to Aby Sané, CEO of the women’s organization at the Women’s Economic Empowerment Directorate, 60,000 women and young people are targeted during the implementation of the project. Among the localities of intervention, Sédhiou was chosen because of the level of poverty (second poorest region in the country according to the ANSD). Aby Sané announced the upcoming implementation of the project to support the strengthening of leadership and inclusion (Parel) and the national project for the empowerment of women and girls (Pnaf), always with the desire to work for the empowerment of women.