Young women in Senegal have achieved success in agribusiness, combining filmmaking and farming skills. They use social media to effectively market their produce online.

For Anta, a young farmer, and her four friends, YouTube is a surprising platform for showcasing their cultivation of vegetables in their village of Ngoundiane. Previously, they had limited job opportunities, like many young women in Senegal who face high unemployment rates.

In 2022, the women joined the Agrijeune’s project, supported by the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the African Development Bank, and the Senegalese government. This project aims to provide training and loans to rural youth in Senegal, creating decent job opportunities for 50 percent of rural young women.

Anta and her friends encountered negative reactions from their community when they participated in the project. They were mocked and belittled, with the belief that pursuing agriculture would keep them poor. However, these challenges did not deter them.

Loise Waruguru Maina, a technical expert at IFAD, highlights the multiple barriers that young rural women in Senegal face. They lack access to productive resources like land and finances, have higher illiteracy rates in rural areas, and often lack representation in decision-making institutions, as well as formal training in business and company management.

Despite these obstacles, Anta and her friends have successfully grown vegetables such as peppers and tomatoes. With their IT training, a loan to start their business, and their YouTube channel, Zenith TV, they are building a better future for themselves. Their online platform serves as a tool for showcasing their activities and conducting effective marketing.

Thanks to their accomplishments, Anta and her friends have no plans to migrate to the city or follow their male counterparts abroad.

Maina emphasizes the positive impact of the Agrijeune’s project. It has not only increased the entrepreneurial spirit among young women but also improved their incomes, allowing them to meet their daily needs and reinvest in their businesses. These women have become vibrant champions and leaders within their communities.

Source: http://www.africanews.com/2025/03/10/young-senegalese-women-market-agribusiness-on-youtube/