On Friday, May 23, 2025, the Senegalese government held a landmark interministerial meeting on the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE).

At the heart of the discussions: 17 concrete measures and 8 strong recommendations to advance the SSE throughout the country.

Key takeaways:

• Creation of a National SSE Council to guide and monitor public policies
• Establishment of a National Observatory to generate data and better assess impacts
• Support for solidarity-based productive cooperatives in all sectors
• Promotion of local and solidarity-based products in public procurement
• Support for innovative financing mechanisms (social bonds, waqf, diaspora bonds, etc.)
• Integration of the SSE into education, training, and research
• Valuation of local initiatives, youth, women, and communities

We welcome this important milestone and congratulate the authorities for this ambitious and inclusive vision.

As committed stakeholders in youth, inclusion, innovation, and local communities, we actively participated in the consultations preceding this council meeting. Our proposals, our field experience, and our work with young people and local organizations contributed to the collective reflection.

The foundations have been laid, the framework is in place. It is now time to join forces to implement these measures on the ground with the communities.

The social and solidarity economy (SSE) is not just a concept. It is a tool to transform our society, create jobs, strengthen solidarity, and build a fairer future.

Congratulations to all stakeholders and to the Ministry of Microfinance, Social and Solidarity Economy - Senegal.

👉 To read the 17 measures and 8 recommendations, the official document is available here: https://bic.gouv.sn/docs/Conseil_Interministeriel_Economie_sociale_et_solidaire_23-05-2025.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawKd8Z1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHiCqL08xWP236SyJj4_aGjYqj_DxCIfvvunSF0nxyqYvKc4l1vOqz6uLepbR_aem_1Ja-WhBQ24mNgzdqFhRHjA