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Making the Diaspora a powerful lever for accelerating the development of Senegal

The PAISD supports, thanks in particular to colossal funds from the French Development Agency (AFD), projects to build schools, health centers, community spaces for women, etc. The PAISD also supports initiatives aimed at access to drinking water and the creation of agricultural product processing businesses for young people and women in rural areas and communities.

Senegal has a very dynamic Diaspora spread across all geographic areas, with a vitality that makes it one of the most dynamic diasporas in the world. According to figures from the Afford 2021 report, “the diaspora is 642,654 people strong, or 3.7% of the population. If the majority of Senegalese emigration flows take place within the African continent, 47.6% of them are established in European Union countries.

Fund transfers from the Senegalese Diaspora represent more than 1,500 billion CFA francs (10.5% of GDP) in Senegal per year. These figures confirm the interest and relevance of banking on Diaspora bonds to finance our economy. While waiting for the formalization of the project of a bank dedicated to the needs of the diaspora to fill the current gaps in access to credit and confidence of local financial institutions.

But the vision of development is changing among our compatriots abroad. According to Papa Birama Thiam, coordinator of PAISD, “the commitment of diasporas was often limited to food aid or the financing of family ceremonies”. But thanks to the support of the AFD and its better structuring, the projects of Senegalese abroad are better structured and focus on essential areas such as education, health, access to water. drinkable…

The incentive to structure a productive fabric to address the nagging issue of youth employment is also taking off. For example, notably with Corédia, an association bringing together 3,000 members in attached to the town of Diawara. In Diawara, with Corédia and the support of AFD, the construction of a high school and the improvement of access to drinking water are effective, while awaiting the testing of a model which could ultimately raise 650 million FCFA to build a processing plant and set up an irrigation system for an estimated total of 100 jobs.

In the 2025 finance law, numerous projects targeting the Diaspora are highlighted. With formalization of cooperation and better use of the contribution of Senegalese people from abroad, success could be achieved.

Mamadou Dia

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