Pathways to Gender-Inclusive Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Sectoral Analysis – Senegal Report

The multi-partner, “Pathways to Gender-Inclusive Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Sectoral Analysis” study encompasses 13 countries including: Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. Through a combination of primary and secondary research, the study identifies the growing economic sectors in each country that hold the most promising and lucrative opportunities for women, especially young women. The study also reviews the cultural norms, policies, legal provisions, skillsets, and other factors that can support women’s success in the workforce and as entrepreneurs in those growing sectors, including the positive potential role for cooperatives.

Senegal has several plans and initiatives that include a focus on women (e.g., Plan for an Emerging Senegal [PES] targeting women entrepreneurs). Given high levels of informal work, improved female labour force participation/outcomes is crucial for the inclusive economic transformation envisioned in Agenda 2030. Social protection for and increased productivity of informal businesses/workers are also key.

The Senegal country report covers the Agriculture (Horticulture, Agro-processing), and Microenterprises (Street Restaurants and Food Vendors, Artisanal Handicrafts and Souvenirs) sectors, including sector-specific key findings and proposed policy and programmatic recommendations.