Ouagadougou: The Ministry of Employment, through the General Directorate of Youth Empowerment and Continuing Education (DGAJEP), presented checks worth approximately 22 million FCFA on Tuesday in Ouagadougou to beneficiaries of the youth entrepreneurship promotion program, funded by the Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of the Francophonie (CONFEJES).
According to Burkina Information Agency, the total amount of checks awarded amounts to 21,917,500 FCFA, including 17,100,000 FCFA intended for the 10 beneficiaries of the 2025 edition and 4,817,500 FCFA granted, as an incentive, to the 10 beneficiaries of the 2024 edition. The beneficiaries' representative, Essita Ouali, highlighted that the checks received serve as a starting point for building viable businesses, creating sustainable jobs, and inspiring other young people. She advocated for the continuation and strengthening of the program to ensure a better future for both the youth and the nation.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Employment, Collette Ouedraogo, commended the dedication of the PPEJ national coordinator for enabling the selection of the top 10 projects by young Burkinabe. She congratulated the beneficiaries and reminded them of the importance of investing the funding responsibly, with an emphasis on monitoring and evaluation. Ms. Ouedraogo also expressed her gratitude to CONFEJES and other partners for their commitment, urging young people to embrace perseverance, ingenuity, and hard work, drawing inspiration from figures like President Ibrahim Traore and Nigerian entrepreneur Aliko Dangote.
CONFEJES representative Abdoul Rachid Abdoul Baki stated that the youth entrepreneurship promotion program provides a structural and appropriate response to the significant challenge of youth unemployment faced by countries in the South. He noted that the implementation of the PPEJ has been well received by both member states and young beneficiaries. Established in 1994, the PPEJ youth entrepreneurship promotion program aims to support young project leaders by facilitating their economic empowerment through the creation of micro-production units.