In a context marked by budgetary constraints and the need to diversify funding sources for energy projects, the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mines, through its National Agency for Renewable Energies (ANER), organized a capacity-building workshop on green finance and carbon credits. This meeting brought together ANER staff, private sector stakeholders, and partners from several ministries.

According to Madiop Ndiaye, head of the technical studies division at the Directorate of projects and programs of ANER, this workshop has strategic importance on several levels.

"It is beneficial for ANER staff as well as for the private sector and our institutional partners. The central theme focuses on financing from carbon credits and, more generally, on green financing," he said.

The main objective of the training is to strengthen ANER's internal capacities in order to enable the agency to capture innovative funding, in addition to traditional resources from the State and technical and financial partners.

"We wanted to equip our agents with the skills necessary to set up projects and markets eligible for green financing, in order to diversify our project portfolio," explained Mr. Ndiaye.

The training also provided a better understanding of the complexity of carbon financing mechanisms, a process that can extend over a period of three to five years.

"It is essential to master the basics, procedures and access channels for these funds in order to be able to mobilize them as early as possible, given the current financial context of Senegal," he added.

Carbon markets and gender integration

The work focused on carbon markets, particularly through Articles 6.2 and 6.4 of the Paris Agreement, now considered international benchmarks. Participants also explored mechanisms related to green funds and climate finance.

Particular emphasis was placed on the gender approach in the development of the projects.

"Gender is not limited to the issue of women. It also concerns young people, people living with disabilities and vulnerable groups. These dimensions are now essential to access green funds and carbon credits," Mr. Ndiaye stressed.

He recalled that carbon credits are primarily a lever for the economic valuation of investments made in renewable energies, whether it be solar, wind, biomass, reforestation or waste management.

Youssoupha Ndiaye, a member of the board of the Senegalese Employers' Council for Renewable Energies, highlighted the strategic role of the private sector in the implementation of climate projects.

"The diagnosis must be local, based on consultation and a common vision. The private sector is a key partner of the State, both as an executor, a provider of expertise and a mobilizer of additional financial resources," he said.

He welcomed the multi-sectoral approach to training, which has helped to strengthen the capacity of public and private actors to access green and climate finance and carbon market mechanisms.

"These opportunities offer important prospects for the development of projects with high social, economic and environmental added value," he added.

Beyond solar energy, which is by far the dominant energy source, other sectors such as biomass, waste recovery, and the circular economy offer significant potential for carbon credits. Participants believe this training is a key step in better leveraging these opportunities and accelerating Senegal's energy transition.