Our Work in WAEMU
Young Africa Works in The WAEMU Region
Addressing the challenge of poverty reduction and unemployment is crucial for the socio-economic development of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) region. Our strategy will be based on 5 key pillars focused on improving agrifood systems. Our fundamental mission is to support human capital by investing in the skills, knowledge, and well-being of youth to support the economic development of our countries.
Overview
Agrifood systems, that encompass agricultural production, industrial processing of products, and their distribution, are a powerful lever for development, with small-scale farmers at its core. The WAEMU region consists of Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. Our roadmap aims to bring about a shift in perceptions, resources, relationships, practices, policies, and dynamics to develop sustainable, resilient agrifood systems.
Our Goal
To enable 6.2 million young people in the WAEMU region, with 70 percent being young women, to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.
Our Approach
Fork to Farm methodology is based on the knowledge and data that inclusive food systems can only be designed from the bottom up to address the actual needs of populations. Through this approach, we are meeting the market demand for locally produced and processed food products and catalyzing the emergence of agro-industry champions at a national and regional level that will drive the sustainable transformation of agriculture in the sub-region.
Our Focus Areas
Agribusiness and adjacent sectors, access to financing, market access, technological innovation, capacity building and cross functional catalysts, such as public policies, gender and youth integration.
Partner Programs
Our WAEMU Quarterly Newsletter
English Version
Read the Mastercard Foundation’s Quarterly Newsletter for the WAEMU Region – April to June 2024
Version Française
Lire la Bulletin D’Informations Trimestrielle de la Fondation Mastercard pour la Région UEMOA – Avril à Juin 2024
Reports
News and Announcements
Access to Financing Crucial for the Future of Agriculture in West Africa
Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Partnership with Mastercard Foundation and the European Union inaugurates the Centre for Africa’s Resilience to Epidemics (CARE)
Angélique Kidjo’s Batonga Foundation Expands its Programs to Senegal to Reach More Adolescent Girls and Young Women
Mastercard Foundation to Enable Three Million Youth to Access Employment Opportunities in Senegal
Fund for Rural Prosperity
A Case Study: Microcred Senegal (MCSN)
Resources
