Senegal Launches €163M PAVIE II to Empower Women, Youth, and Boost Food Security
Senegal has launched the second phase of its flagship initiative, the Project for Support and Promotion of Women’s and Youth’s Entrepreneurial Initiatives (PAVIE II), at a high-profile event held at the Grand Théâtre National in Dakar.
With a robust budget of €163.449 million, the program aims to generate 92,633 jobs and reinforce the country’s food sovereignty agenda under the national “Sénégal 2050” development strategy.
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko led the launch on May 8, describing PAVIE II as “a vision for a bold Senegal,” one fueled by the creativity of youth and the entrepreneurial spirit of women. Of the 51,212 initiatives targeted in this phase, 58% will be led by women and 56% by youth.
“PAVIE II is more than a program; it is a cornerstone of our National Transformation Agenda, focused on sovereignty in food, industry, and technology,” Sonko said.
The African Development Bank (AfDB), a major funding partner, committed €74.564 million to the initiative. Its President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, praised Senegal’s leadership in promoting inclusive, innovation-driven development. “This project will drive economic sovereignty and create opportunities for generations,” he said.
PAVIE II builds on the success of its first phase, which supported 24,000 entrepreneurial initiatives and created over 93,000 jobs. One standout story came from Tahibou Ba, a rice farmer who scaled from two hectares to 313 hectares with DER/FJ support, illustrating PAVIE’s role in transforming livelihoods and contributing to national food security.
The initiative includes enhanced digitalization, decentralized support mechanisms, and targeted investment in underserved areas. In total, €91.463 million will go toward job creation and agriculture, while €45.732 million will support SMEs and digital innovation.
Funding for PAVIE II comes from a mix of partners including AfDB, the French Development Agency (€25M), private banks (€25.773M), and the Senegalese government (€38.112M). The initiative is aligned with AfDB’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033) and Senegal’s upcoming National Development Strategy (2025–2029).
The one-day launch featured panels on food sovereignty and digital innovation, beneficiary testimonials, and an exhibition showcasing agricultural and tech solutions.
With both phases combined, the PAVIE initiative is expected to create over 185,000 direct and indirect jobs, 70% for youth and 40% for women, reinforcing Senegal’s role as a regional model for inclusive and sustainable development.
