Boulsa, Burkina Faso – In an effort to bolster the economic resilience of women in Namentenga province, a workshop introducing the ‘Brave Women Burkina’ project was held in Boulsa on January 18, 2024. Presided over by the High Commissioner of Namentenga province, Adama Conseiga, this initiative aims to empower women entrepreneurs through significant financial support.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the ‘Brave Women Burkina’ project, under the technical supervision of the Maison de l’entreprise du Burkina, is backed by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The IDB has allocated 2 billion FCFA to assist micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) operated by women, particularly to enhance their resilience. The funding is part of a broader effort to support women’s entrepreneurship in the region.
The workshop focused on critical financial aspects of the project, including the minimum funding amount set at 6 million FCFA, with a required promoter’s contribution of 50%. Eligible projects are those that align with Islamic principles (excluding alcohol, gambling, and baked pork) and offer added value. This includes investment projects such as construction and equipment acquisition, with funding ranging from 6 million to 18 million CFA francs for MSMEs, and 18 to 60 million CFA francs for associations, organizational professionals (AOPs), and leading companies.
High Commissioner Adama Conseiga applauded the technical team for the clarity of the presentation and encouraged women to show commitment and dynamism to secure funding. He emphasized the potential for women in Namentenga to outperform their counterparts in other regions of Burkina Faso, particularly in the Center-North region.
The project monitoring and evaluation specialist, Patrice Sanon, expressed gratitude for the active and effective participation of the women in the discussions. The meeting, attended by prefects/PDS and a significant number of women from various parts of the province, was received with enthusiasm.
However, the women expressed concerns about the feasibility of mobilizing the shared cost of 3 million FCFA, which represents 50% of the minimum financing amount. They urged for a reduction in the minimum amount to make it more accessible, especially considering the challenging security and humanitarian context in the region.
The workshop also highlighted that the longest stage of the grant application process would be conducted online, a factor that underscores the increasing reliance on digital platforms for administrative and financial transactions.