As part of the implementation of the BE YES program, dedicated to equitable access to entrepreneurship for young people, the General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth (DER/FJ), led by the General Delegate, Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj, embarked on a national tour from Monday, April 13th to Thursday, April 16th, 2026. This initiative aims to strengthen ties with beneficiaries, highlight supported initiatives, and promote the opportunities offered by the program across the country. The tour began in Thiès, the first stop in a series of field missions.

Thies: Launch of the tour and initial disbursement of funding

In Thiès, the official launch took place in the presence of Prefect Mame Less Cabou. A total of 545 million FCFA has been allocated to finance local initiatives during this tour. The total amount committed since the start of the BE YES program is 3.22 billion FCFA. For this phase, 36 million FCFA has been disbursed to 18 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs), with 180 jobs currently being created. The previous year, 49.8 million FCFA was granted to 21 EIGs, resulting in the creation of 222 jobs.

Data from the first phase in Thiès shows that 436 beneficiaries received training, 12 individual businesses and 21 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) received funding, for a total of 49,800,000 FCFA. The number of jobs created stands at 222, with a repayment rate of 85%. Current funding amounts to 36,000,000 FCFA, supporting the creation of 180 jobs and the financing of 18 EIGs. Projected funding is 85,800,000 FCFA, with the goal of creating 402 jobs and training 436 people. This total covers 39 EIGs and 12 individual businesses. Women represent 77% of the beneficiaries and 83% of those trained. People with disabilities hold 5% of the jobs, while 4% of those trained have disabilities. The amount recovered is 5,318,775 FCFA, representing a rate of 85%. The ceremony concluded with a symbolic handover of funds.

Bambey: Consolidated momentum with a high repayment rate

The tour continued in Bambey, in the presence of Deputy Prefect Moussa Ba. A budget of 24 million FCFA was allocated to finance 12 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs), creating 120 jobs. Since the program's launch in this department, 71 million FCFA has been funded, resulting in the creation of 355 jobs. The recovery rate has reached 94%. Data from the first phase in Bambey indicates that 394 beneficiaries were trained, 15 individual businesses and 22 EIGs were funded, for a total of 47,542,000 FCFA. The number of jobs consolidated is 235. Current funding amounts to 24,000,000 FCFA, with 120 jobs being created and 12 EIGs funded. The projected funding is 71,542,000 FCFA, for 355 jobs created and 394 people trained. The overall volume involves 34 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) and 15 individual businesses. Women represent between 68% and 69% of the beneficiaries. Jobs held by people with disabilities account for 8%, while 6% of those receiving training are individuals with disabilities. The amount recovered is 6,297,945 FCFA, representing a 94% recovery rate. A visit was conducted to the DABAKH EIG, which specializes in chicken farming.

Kaolack: Inclusive financing and continued support for groups

In Kaolack, the delegation was welcomed by Prefect Latyr Ndiaye. A symbolic handover of funds was made to young beneficiaries, including a GIE (Economic Interest Group) composed of deaf and mute individuals, which received 2 million FCFA in funding. Figures for the first phase in Kaolack show that 393 beneficiaries were trained and 21 GIEs were funded, for a total of 35,700,000 FCFA. The number of jobs created is 210, with a repayment rate of 98%. Current funding amounts to 32,000,000 FCFA, for 160 jobs being created and 16 GIEs funded. The projected funding totals 67,700,000 FCFA, for 370 jobs created and 393 people trained. The overall funding involves 37 GIEs. Women represent 72% of the beneficiaries and 70% of those trained. Jobs held by people with disabilities represent 6%, while 5% of trained individuals are affected. The amount recovered is 4,831,821 FCFA, representing a rate of 98%.

Kaffrine: Presentation of certificates and support for local initiatives

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The General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth then traveled to Kaffrine, where it was welcomed by the prefect and the president of the departmental council, Abdoulaye Wilane. Funding certificates were presented to several young people, including individuals with disabilities, who are expected to represent 5% of the program's beneficiaries. Data from the first phase in Kaffrine indicates 375 beneficiaries trained, 22 individual businesses and 21 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) funded, for a total of 60,800,000 FCFA. The number of jobs consolidated is 232, with a repayment rate of 62%. Current funding amounts to 27,200,000 FCFA, for 160 jobs created and 16 EIGs funded. Projected funding reaches 88,000,000 FCFA, for 392 jobs created and 375 people trained. The overall volume involves 37 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) and 22 individual businesses. Women represent between 74% and 78% of the beneficiaries. Jobs held by people with disabilities account for 7%, while 3% of those receiving training are employed. The amount recovered is 13,748,823 FCFA, representing a rate of 62%.

Koungheul: Supported and valued transformation activities

In Koungheul, the delegation was welcomed by Prefect Souleymane Ndiaye and the mayor's representative. The latter commended the initiative and encouraged the DER (Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship) to do more. Data from the first phase in Koungheul shows that 273 beneficiaries received training, and 9 individual businesses and 25 Economic Interest Groups (EIGs) were funded, for a total of 49,800,000 FCFA. The number of jobs consolidated is 259, with a repayment rate of 53%. The overall funding of 49,800,000 FCFA resulted in 252 jobs created and 273 people trained. This includes 25 EIGs and 9 individual businesses. Women represent 78% of the beneficiaries and 77% of those trained. Jobs held by people with disabilities represent 5%, as does the proportion of those trained. The amount recovered is 5,444,387 FCFA, representing a repayment rate of 53%. Among the beneficiaries is the Xaritu Xaleyu Economic Interest Group (GIE) of Koungheul, which specializes in processing local cereals and producing derivative products. Djouli Seck, a member of the group, explains: “We make biscuits from cereals derived from millet, corn, and sorghum. We also produce infant flour made from corn, wheat, and peanut paste. It is rich in iron and promotes child growth. Our goal with this product is to contribute to the fight against childhood malnutrition.”

During the various stages, the general delegate, Dr. Aïssatou Mbodj, reiterated the importance of repaying the loans taken out by the GIEs.