POURA — The Association of Women in the Mining Sector of Burkina Faso (AFEMIB) unveiled a new project on Friday, May 24, 2024, aimed at enhancing the economic potential of 500 women and young people across ten municipalities involved in mining. The announcement was made during a presentation of a diagnostic study in Poura, which focused on income-generating activities (AGRs).

According to Burkina Information Agency, the study conducted by the consulting firm What You Need, funded by the Project to Support the Strengthening of Land and Mines Management (PARGFM), identified the potential beneficiaries and mapped out the economic opportunities in the targeted municipalities. The primary AGRs identified include rainfed and market gardening, poultry and small ruminant breeding, along with gold extraction and washing.

Ms. Traoré emphasized the project’s goal to foster financial empowerment among women and youth in mining-impacted municipalities. She reported high interest and enthusiasm from potential beneficiaries during the study restitution workshop, highlighting the viable economic opportunities these activities could bring.

Silvain Bayé, the 2nd vice-president of the special delegation of Poura, expressed the local authorities’ high hopes for the project’s impact on women’s support. He encouraged the beneficiaries to show motivation and solidarity in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Émile Nikièma, a representative from PARGFM, suggested that forming a cooperative could be advantageous for the participants to maximize support. He urged local authorities to assist in organizing these groups and facilitating the necessary documentation for establishing such cooperatives.

The project targets the localities of Bagassi, Bouda, Boudry, Boussé, Korsimoro, Mogtédo, Poura, Réo, Sabcé, and Zabré, with special focus on the municipalities of Bagassi and Poura in the province of Balé.