Launch of the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee for the Entrepreneurial Statute: The ADIJEFE project paves the way for the Formalization of the Informal Economy in Senegal

For the occasion, the workshop brought together representatives from public institutions, the private sector, social partners and national experts. Senegal's Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, designated members of the monitoring and evaluation committee and stakeholders from the private sector and the informal economy attended this important event. The presence of these various players testifies to the collective commitment to transforming the informal sector into a more inclusive formal economy.

Official launch of the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee

The opening ceremony was marked by speeches from Mr. Yacouba DIALLO, representative of the ILO Director, and Mr. Mouhamadou Moustapha THIOUNE, Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, who both emphasized the importance of the entrepreneur status for formalizing the informal economy and improving the working conditions of micro-entrepreneurs.

The workshop culminated in the official installation of the monitoring and evaluation committee, chaired by Mr. Thioune. The main objective of the committee is to closely monitor the implementation of the entrepreneur status and ensure that the objectives of the ADIJEFE project are achieved. Each committee member was introduced, and their specific responsibilities clarified, to ensure smooth collaboration between public institutions, the private sector and social partners.

A Statute for the Formalization of the Informal Economy

The status of the entrepreneur, one of the major axes of the ADIJEFE project, was widely discussed during the technical presentations. This status is designed to provide small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs with a legal and institutional framework enabling them to formalize their activities and gain access to better working conditions and economic opportunities. The issues and challenges involved in implementing this status were detailed, and concrete proposals for its operationalization were discussed.

Another key point of the workshop was the presentation of the ADIJEFE project's 2024-2025 action plan. This plan includes key activities such as exchange workshops on international best practices in the formalization of micro and small enterprises, experience-sharing sessions with countries that have set up similar schemes, and a study on incentives for entrepreneurs. In addition, a pilot program will be set up to test the operationalization of the status with a pre-selected group of artisans.

Adoption of a Roadmap to 2025

One of the main achievements of the workshop was the adoption by committee members of a preliminary action plan structured around three main axes: monitoring implementation, evaluating results and continuous improvement. Members committed to collecting and analyzing data on the use of the entrepreneur status, conducting mid-term impact studies, and proposing adjustments based on feedback from beneficiaries.

At the end of the workshop, several recommendations were made to reinforce the project's impact. It was suggested to strengthen communication around the status of the entrepreneur, by organizing targeted awareness campaigns to reach potential beneficiaries. In addition, the mobilization of additional resources and the creation of incentive mechanisms (fiscal, social, financial, etc.) were highlighted as crucial elements in encouraging the adoption of the status by a greater number of micro-entrepreneurs.

An important step towards economic inclusion

The workshop to set up the monitoring and evaluation committee for the entrepreneur status represents a major milestone for the ADIJEFE project. Thanks to the commitment of the various stakeholders, this initiative will help to strengthen the formalization of the informal economy and improve the living and working conditions of young people and micro-entrepreneurs in Senegal.

Through its concrete actions and rigorous monitoring, the ADIJEFE project is fully in line with the ILO's vision of promoting decent and inclusive work. By working together, the government, the ILO, AICS and their local partners have laid the foundations for a more prosperous future for Senegal's micro-entrepreneurs.