Entrepreneurship enters the public debate
At the forum, tourism and crafts minister Soufiane Aghaichata Guichene called for support for entrepreneurs and artisans. The event’s focus on digital tools connected production with access to information and markets. It brought women and young entrepreneurs from different parts of Niger into discussions about developing local businesses. [1]
Participants describe what changed
Badaria, a deaf woman aged 38, told UNDP that training and a grant helped her produce dyed fabrics and cereal-based food products. Another participant, Baraka, described learning to process cereals, dye textiles and manage a small enterprise. Both spoke about selling their products after previously relying on begging.
Women share skills through local groups
The UN country team’s 2024 results report also recorded the training and participants’ accounts. UNDP described women forming mutual-support groups in Maradi and passing skills to peers in Aguié and Badaguichiri. They sold products at markets and weddings, while formalising their businesses remained a next step. [3]