In a major boost for women-led agribusinesses, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has officially launched its flagship women-focused initiative, VALUE4HER, in Dakar, Senegal.
Themed “Powering Senegal’s Food Future through Women-Led Agribusinesses,” the launch marks a strategic step in positioning women agripreneurs at the centre of Senegal’s agricultural transformation. The timing is significant, coming just weeks before the country hosts Africa’s largest agricultural gathering — the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) — scheduled for 31 August to 5 September 2025.
The event brought together a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including women-led agribusiness founders, cooperative leaders, government officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Women, and Trade, as well as representatives from commercial banks, microfinance institutions, impact investors, and development partners. The discussions underscored a shared commitment to amplifying women’s role in Senegal’s agri-food systems.
AGRA’s VALUE4HER Secretariat showcased its suite of services, including its signature Women Agripreneurs of the Year Awards (WAYA), which celebrates outstanding women leaders in agribusiness. The platform also highlighted opportunities for Senegalese women — particularly young entrepreneurs — to connect with investors, policymakers, and new markets during the upcoming AFSF 2025.
Women are the backbone of Senegal’s agricultural sector, representing nearly 70% of the rural agricultural workforce and producing about 80% of the country’s food supply. In key off-farm roles, such as food processing in the Niayes horticultural zone, women make up 98% of the workforce. However, despite their critical contributions, they remain concentrated in vulnerable segments of the value chain, with only 3.5% accessing bank financing.
To address these disparities, the Senegalese government has embedded gender priorities into national strategies, including the Plan Sénégal Émergent (PSE 2014–2035), the National Strategy for Women’s Economic Empowerment (SNAEF), and the National Strategy for Equity and Gender Equality (2016). The recently launched second phase of the Project to Support and Promote Women’s and Youth’s Entrepreneurial Initiatives (PAVIE II) commits €163 million to create over 92,000 jobs — with women expected to lead 58% of the new businesses.
“Empowering women agripreneurs transcends the principle of equity; it is a strategic economic imperative for growth and food security,” said Nana Yaa Amoah, AGRA’s Director of Youth and Inclusiveness. “When women have equal access to finance, land, training, and markets, the benefits ripple across families, communities, and the economy.”
Adding a personal perspective, Siny Samba, Co-Founder and CEO of Le Lionceau and Grand Prize Winner of the 2023 WAYA, shared: “Winning WAYA was a moment of profound pride — not just for me, but for every woman farmer, mother, and nutrition advocate in Senegal. It validated our mission to turn local crops into nutritious baby food, empower over 5,000 smallholder farmers, and close the gap in infant nutrition.”
Through VALUE4HER, AGRA aims to forge new partnerships, elevate women-led success stories, and place Senegal’s female agribusiness leaders at the forefront of Africa’s food security and economic recovery. Selected Senegalese women and youth-led enterprises will feature prominently at AFSF 2025, amplifying their voices on a continental stage.
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