A new 1.8 billion CFA franc seed fund has been unveiled in Ziguinchor to support young project leaders, targeting sectors such as agriculture, digital technology, the green economy, and the blue economy.
The initiative forms part of the Vocational Training and Integration Project (PFPI), which aims to train 181,350 young people by 2027. Already, more than 62,000 registrations have been recorded.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training, Amadou Moustapha Sarré, emphasised the fund’s role in strengthening employability. “This fund is designed to support young entrepreneurs in strategic areas. Beyond training, the PFPI must facilitate integration into the economic fabric through initial financial support,” he said.
The initiative follows a recent merger of the Ministry of Employment with the Ministry of Technical Training, a reorganization intended to improve policy coherence and better align public measures with youth employability needs. Officials say the fund represents a concrete step towards linking vocational training to real economic opportunities.
Aligned with Vision Senegal 2050, the government aims to train five million technicians by mid-century. In the short term, the National Development Strategy has set a milestone of training 700,000 young people by 2029. The Ziguinchor seed fund is viewed as a critical intermediate step in this long-term vision, combining practical skills development with direct economic integration.
Experts say the success of the programme will depend on its ability to maintain continuity, ensure access to financial support, and create tangible pathways into the workforce. By supporting youth entrepreneurship in sectors with high growth potential, the initiative hopes to foster sustainable economic development and reduce unemployment among young Senegalese.
The PFPI and its associated seed fund illustrate Senegal’s commitment to building a skilled workforce while stimulating innovation in key economic sectors. Over the coming years, authorities will monitor the fund’s impact on youth employment and the broader development of strategic industries across the country.
About The Author
