• PFPI project aims to train 181,350 youth by 2027, backed by Mastercard Foundation

• $3.2 mln seed fund to support entrepreneurship and self-employment initiatives

• Focus on inclusion: 70% of beneficiaries will be women and 5% people with disabilities

Senegal has launched a major program to boost youth employment through the Professional Training and Integration Project (PFPI). On September 8 in Ziguinchor, Minister of Employment and Technical and Vocational Training Amadou Moustapha Njekk Sarré inaugurated the project’s seed fund, valued at CFA1.8 billion ($3.2 million).

Funded by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by EDC-Senegal, the scheme is designed to support entrepreneurship and self-employment projects for young people aged 18 to 35. It has a strong focus on inclusion, with 70% of beneficiaries expected to be women and 5% people with disabilities.

So far, more than 62,000 young people have registered for the program, which aims to train 181,350 youth by 2027. Training will cover key sectors such as agriculture, the green and blue economy, digital skills, and innovation. The initiative comes as the National Statistics Agency (ANSD) reports an expanded youth unemployment rate of 27%, with women being the most affected.

The project is part of the government’s broader strategy to make youth a driver of sustainable development. The focus on women and people with disabilities underscores the aim to promote equal opportunities and inclusive growth. Minister Sarré urged participants to seize the opportunity to start businesses and contribute actively to Senegal’s development.

The PFPI builds on similar programs in the region. In Côte d’Ivoire, the World Bank-backed PEJEDEC-3 project, launched in 2020, had reached 41,882 beneficiaries by September 30, 2024, or 81.64% of its 51,300 target for December 2024. In Burkina Faso, the Carrefour des Opportunités program supports youth integration with initiatives such as a mobile digital library that improves access to information, training, and services in rural areas.