The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) approved, on December 2, 2024, in Abidjan, a financing of 55.33 million euros for Senegal. This amount is intended for the second phase of the Water Valorization Project for Value Chain Development (PROVALE CV-2), an ambitious program aimed at sustainably increasing agricultural production, incomes, and employment opportunities in the targeted regions.
An extension justified by the successes of the first phase
According to Mohamed Chérif, head of the AfDB country office in Senegal, the promising results of the first phase of the project revealed new challenges, including consolidating achievements and supporting young agripreneurs and women. He emphasized the importance of extending these opportunities to new regions to ensure optimal valorization of the investments made.
Targeted developments and infrastructures
The second phase plans the development of 9,000 hectares of agricultural land, including:
- 1,950 hectares of saline land;
- 450 hectares of collective market gardening perimeters;
- the rehabilitation and strengthening of 15 irrigated perimeters.
The project also includes the creation of ten pastoral water points powered by solar energy, 20 kilometers of drinking water networks around these points, as well as marketing infrastructures such as:
- 130 kilometers of production tracks (including part to be rehabilitated);
- 20 storage warehouses of 100 tons each;
- four grouping centers equipped with cold rooms of 300 to 500 tons.
Promotion of employment and support for rural entrepreneurship
PROVALE CV-2 also emphasizes agricultural entrepreneurship and employment. Among the planned initiatives:
- The creation of 1,250 farms covering 2,000 hectares;
- The construction and equipping of 40 agricultural mechanization centers;
- The installation of 50 multifunctional platforms and 50 processing units powered by solar energy;
- The establishment of 180 livestock units and 60 aquaculture farms.
An expanded scope to nine regions
This new phase will cover nine administrative regions: Louga, Thiès, Kaolack, Fatick, Kaffrine, Diourbel, Ziguinchor, Sédhiou, and Kolda. Louga, the project’s expansion area, shares similar agro-climatic and socio-economic characteristics with the already targeted regions. The project is expected to directly benefit 57,000 households, or approximately 570,000 people.
A key support for sustainable development
PROVALE CV-2 is part of the AfDB’s efforts to support food security and empower rural communities in Africa. With its commitment to promoting economic and social progress, the Bank continues to play a crucial role in the continent’s development.