- By promoting endogenous know-how
- The shea sector in the spotlight
- Sales exhibitions, B2B meetings and training on the program
It is an understatement to say that in Burkina Faso, there is still a way to go in terms of the adoption of local products by the populations. And for analysts, this is simply linked to a lack of development of natural resources and local know-how. To tackle the roots of evil, we must count on the Women’s Initiative for Endogenous Development (IFEDE). This association organized from February 29 to March 3 in Ouagadougou, the second edition of the 72 hours of Endogenous Women’s Initiatives (IFEE).
“Economic development and development of natural resources: what contribution do women make through endogenous knowledge? »: it is under this theme that the second edition of the IFEE was held. A theme which “is in line with the policy of the government which has taken the initiative to promote endogenous skills for endogenous development”, noted the president of the IFEDE association, Wakiyatou Kobré. For three days, several activities were on the program: exhibitions and sales, B2B meetings, cosmetics training, etc. In terms of exhibitions, several dozen structures took part in this second edition of the 72 hours of IFEE.
The objective is straightforward. For the president of the IFEDE association, Wakiyatou Kobré, it is about creating a framework for exchange and sharing for women working in the promotion and processing of local products. “These 72 are intended to create a framework of exchange for these fighting women who, through their businesses, contribute to the development of their respective families in particular and the entire nation in general,” she declared. . These “fighting women”, as Wakiyatou Kobré calls them, who “refused to be a burden on society by setting themselves ultimate goals in order to reach the summit of economic independence deserve to be supported.
For the godmother of this second edition, Némata Zoungrana, the empowerment of the other half of the sky constitutes an opportunity for development: “When the woman herself gets involved in her own empowerment, social ills can only be reduced as much as possible and the country will begin true sustainable development,” she explained. He added that “in a country like ours, where the population is predominantly female, it is essential that women and girls get involved in both social and economic development actions.
As a major innovation, this edition of the 72 hours of IFDE, highlighted a sector which, according to its stakeholders, produced good returns this year, namely the shea sector. This sector, it should be remembered, has more than 280 million trees, with a production potential of shea kernels estimated at more than 1.2 million tonnes per year (according to data from the Agency for the Promotion of Exports in Burkina), employs a significant number of women in Burkina, particularly in the field of processing “It is a question of magnifying these women who, through their little endogenous knowledge, promote this sector through everything that They produce, in particular, shea butter, lip balms, soap, etc. “.
Béranger Kabré
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IFEDE in brief
The Women’s Initiative for Endogenous Development (IFEDE) is an association born from the vision of its founders to promote female entrepreneurship in order to promote the financial empowerment of women. Since its creation in June 2022, it has initiated several activities, the main of which remains the holding of the 72 hours of endogenous women’s initiatives.
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