馃嚚馃嚠C么te d'IvoireWest Africa
SEPHIS Foundation and Mastercard Foundation launch AWF AGRI program in C么te d'Ivoire and Senegal
via Abidjan.net9 min read
The SEPHIS Foundation, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, officially launched the African Women of the Future in Agriculture AWF AGRI program on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Abidjan. This initiative, with a budget exceeding 3 billion FCFA, aims to strengthen the economic empowerment of young women entrepreneurs in the agri-food processing sector in C么te d'Ivoire and Senegal. The launch event brought together representatives from the Ivorian government, financial institutions, technical partners, the private sector, and women entrepreneurs in agricultural value chains. The program seeks to support 1,000 women-led small and medium-sized enterprises SMEs in C么te d'Ivoire and Senegal by 2028. It is built on four key pillars: strengthening entrepreneurial capacities, access to semi-industrial processing units, market access, and access to financing. In C么te d'Ivoire, the program plans to support 550 young women entrepreneurs, finance 220 projects, conduct compliance audits, provide specialized technical assistance, and facilitate participation in national and international trade fairs. The AWF AGRI program also aims to contribute to the creation and improvement of over 12,000 jobs for young women in C么te d'Ivoire and Senegal, fostering sustainable economic impact. The President of the SEPHIS Foundation's Board of Directors highlighted the crucial role of women in the African agricultural economy and the challenges they face, such as access to financing, modern equipment
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Abidjan.net.
The Rotary International Convention took place in Taipei, Taiwan, from June 13 to 17, 2026, attracting over 37,000 participants from 120 countries and territories. The event generated an estimated 50 to 55 million US dollars in economic benefits for Taiwan, according to Abou-Bakar Ouattara, Governor of District 9101. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai addressed the congress, sharing her experiences in advocating for girls' education and her survival of an assassination attempt. Governor Ouattara, whose district covers 10 West African countries, highlighted Rotary's significant economic impact on local economies through hospitality, catering, transport, and tourism. He emphasized the organization's role as a global force for good and its commitment to addressing challenges with innovation and collaboration. The next convention is scheduled for June 2027 in Barcelona, Spain, and will be presided over by Yinka Babalola of Nigerian nationality. Babalola will be the second African to lead Rotary International since its inception in 1905. The organization operates in over 200 countries and territories.
The Porteo Foundation, on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Abidjan, presented a check for 118,080,000 FCFA to the Drep.Afrique association. This funding is designated to support the medical care of 1,000 children suffering from sickle cell disease in Senegal. The ceremony took place at the foundation's headquarters, with Robert Hue, representative of Drep.Afrique, and Kalou Emmanuel, president of the Porteo Foundation, in attendance. Robert Hue emphasized the significant impact of this financial support, stating it will fund treatment for 1,000 children, improving their lives and offering hope to their families. He noted that the treatment helps reduce painful crises, repeated hospitalizations, and mortality associated with this genetic disease, which affects millions in Africa. Kalou Emmanuel, president of the Porteo Foundation, affirmed that this contribution reflects the group's commitment to public health and well-being, aligning with the foundation's charitable policy to support high-impact social initiatives and provide vulnerable children better access to care. This initiative is part of a partnership between the Porteo Foundation and Drep.Afrique, an organization dedicated to combating sickle cell disease. The program involves the provision of DREPAF庐, a locally produced hydroxyurea-based generic drug in Senegal, through collaboration with Teranga Pharma laboratory. Additionally, Robert Hue met with the Minister of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage to d
C么te d'Ivoire's Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Souleymane Diarrassouba, presented investment opportunities from the 2026-2030 National Development Plan PND to members of the Arab Coordination Group during the 51st annual meetings of the Islamic Development Bank IDB Group in Baku, Azerbaijan, from June 17 to 19. Over sixty representatives attended, including the President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa BADEA, the Director General of the Saudi Fund for Development, and leaders from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Arab Gulf Fund for Development, the Islamic Development Bank, and the OPEC Fund for International Development. Following discussions, the Executive Director of the Arab Gulf Fund for Development announced plans to study the opening of an inclusive finance bank in Abidjan, aimed at supporting SME financing, women's entrepreneurship, and agricultural value chains. C么te d'Ivoire, among the top ten economies in sub-Saharan Africa, boasts strong economic fundamentals, including a GDP per capita of $3,148.2, a budget deficit contained at 3% of GDP, a debt-to-GDP ratio of 57%, and foreign direct investments representing 3.9% of GDP in 2025. These figures are affirmed by international rating agencies with stable outlooks. The PND 2026-2030, developed under the authority of President Alassane Ouattara, projects 114,838.5 billion CFA francs in investments over five years, with 70.2% expected from the private sector. The public f