The three financial aid agreements signed on Friday between Senegal and Germany and Senegal constitute a grant totalling 26 billion CFA francs to support vocational training and employment for 12.3 billion CFA francs, support the reform of the administration foncière for 10.3 billion CFA francs, support small and medium-sized enterprises for 3.4 billion CFA francs. This partnership aimed at "encouraging reforms" confirms, according to the Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation, Amadou Hott, the clear will of the Federal Republic of Germany to participate actively in the implementation of the adjusted and accelerated Priority Action Plan (PAP2A).

"The Government of Senegal is aware that the structural transformation of the economy cannot be achieved without sustained reform momentum. Under this register, we have already achieved significant results in the framework of the program of reform of the business environment and competitiveness, "he recalled in particular during the signing ceremony of these framework agreements.

As such, notes the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Cooperation, this partnership is perfectly in line with the strategic orientations of the PAP2A by focusing on the levers of competitiveness and inclusion that are the labor legislation, the reform foncière, access to finance, the development of SMEs/SMIs and vocational training. "Through this signature," says Amadou Hott, "we are confirming a mutual commitment to endogenous development to be carried by a sector by a dynamic and competitive private sector thanks to a business environment in continuous improvement."

In addition, he announced a prospect of "broadening" this partnership to other areas such as good governance, social protection of informal workers and the formalization of the economy. "The partnership adapts to the context and realities of the moment by learning from the crisis that reminded us of the need for to provide good social protection for the vulnerable," insists Mr Hott. The latter is of the opinion that the bonds of fraternal friendship and solidarity between the two countries are materialized by quality technical and financial cooperation. Moreover, according to him, during the Covid-19 crisis, Germany has shown "unprecedented generosity" towards Senegal.

"Our country has benefited from record financial support to the tune of 68 billion CFA francs in support of the Senegalese government's efforts in the fight against the pandemic," he recalled, indicating, in the aftermath, that this support was added to the commitments already made in 2019 for an envelope of 70.8 billion CFA francs. And during the intergovernmental negotiations of December 2, 2020, this envelope was revised upwards with the financing of additional programs for a total amount of 48.5 billion CFA francs, according to the Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation.

For the German Ambassador in Dakar, Stephan Roeken, these new agreements testify to the new dynamic of German-Senegalese cooperation that has developed "significantly" over the last two years. "The Covid-19 crisis has shown that our areas of cooperation such as the creation of jobs, improving financing offers, formalizing informal sector enterprises and improving the skills of the workforce are of the utmost importance," he said.

For his part, the director of the office of the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (FFW) in Senegal said that this donation aims to "improve the business climate and attract private investment to promote job creation in Senegal".