Author: African Development bank Group
Site of the publication: ADBG
Type of the publication: Report
Date of the publication: November 2022
The economic situation
Senegal’s economy was among the highest in Africa between 2014-2018, growing at around 6% annually1 . It is driven by mining, construction, tourism, fisheries, and agriculture, which are the primary sources of employment in both urban and rural areas. Natural resources, including agriculture, fisheries, and water, have a decisive influence on Senegal’s economic performance. The country’s key export industries include phosphate mining, fertilizer production, agricultural products, and commercial fishing.
The largest sector of Senegal’s economy is services, accounting for 62% of total GDP. The largest services sub-sectors are internal trade (19%); administration, education, and health (12%); communications (11%); and real estate activities (6%). The industrial sector represents 23% of the GDP, with construction (7%), food industries (5%), other industries (4%), and energy (3%) accounting for the biggest share. Also, the primary sector contributes 15% of GDP, mostly from agriculture (9%) and livestock activities (4%).
Senegal’s strategies, policies and programmes to promote green growth
In 2014 the Government adopted the Plan for an Emerging Senegal (PSE)3 , a 20-year strategy to guide the implementation of coherent economic and social development policies, as well as promote inclusive growth.
The country released both a National Adaptation Plan (2006), during the development phase of the draft document, a gender consultation was launched4 , and a National Strategy for Sustainable Development (2005) as part of the regional initiative of the UN Economic Commission for Africa.
Senegal’s National Strategy for the Promotion of Green Jobs was selected as one of the two winners of the Future Policy Vision Award from a field of 67 nominated policies from 36 countries. Issued in 2015, the Strategy has strengthened the legislative, institutional, and regulatory framework. It focuses on strengthening the legislative, institutional and regulatory framework; creating green job opportunities; building human capacities; developing an appropriate financing policy; advocacy; and setting up mechanisms for monitoring and sustainability.
Senegal’s vision of a green economy is based on various analyses and actions undertaken since 1992 (Rio Conference) and on the findings of Rio+20 Conference. Plans developed as a result of recommendations at international conferences include the National Environmental Action Plan and the National Strategy for Sustainable Development, have also been developed.
Agriculture
Agriculture in Senegal is mainly traditional rainfed agriculture. It is largely dominated by small family farms, which occupy 95% of the country’s agricultural land. Pastoral systems can be found in rainfed areas, and polyculture systems can be found in irrigated farming areas. Horticulture is emerging in the peri-urban area of Dakar, in the niayes area.
Over the long term, however, agricultural activity has slowed since 1980, largely due to a decline in peanut production over the last 40 years. As a result, agricultural revenues have declined in all sectors except the horticultural sector. About 25% of women are formally employed in the agriculture sector in Senegal , as compared to 34% of men; however, women in rural areas make up the majority of the labour force with almost 70% of them active in agriculture against 30% men.
Energy
Energy supply in Senegal is dominated by biomass (47%) and oil (48%), with the remaining 5% provided by coal, natural gas, hydropower, and solar. All fossil fuels are imported, leaving the country highly vulnerable to price increases. Half of the rural population in Senegal (49.4%) has access to electricity.
Most rural and suburban households rely on hazardous, traditional, and inefficient energy sources, such as wood, for lighting, cooking, and other energy needs, even though Senegal has significant solar energy potential, providing a strong opportunity to develop PV solar power. Wind energy potential is also significant between Dakar and Saint Louis, as well as the hydropower potential.
Green job opportunities for women
Agriculture
Women constitute 70% of Senegal’s agricultural workforce. In rural areas, women are primarily engaged in agriculture, livestock production, and fisheries. Women are active in agricultural processing and marketing of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products, as well as small-scale trading. Land allocation laws and practices limit women’s access to agricultural land: as a result, in 2018, only 9.8% of land owners were women.
Over the long term, however, agricultural activity has slowed since 1980, largely due to a decline in peanut production over the last 40 years. As a result, agricultural revenues have declined in all sectors except the horticultural sector. About 25% of women are formally employed in the agriculture sector in Senegal , as compared to 34% of men; however, women in rural areas make up the majority of the labour force with almost 70% of them active in agriculture against 30% men
Agro-processing activities can give rise to more green job opportunities for women, due to the increasing urban demand for processed food and growing investments in infrastructure and processing capacity of the private sector. Besides large food-processing industries, local SMEs managed mainly by women are engaged in processing domestic agricultural products, such as local cereals, fruit and vegetables, fish, and milk.
Their production technology is usually very primitive, and output remains small. Several characteristics associated with domestic agricultural production limit these producers: products that are difficult to conserve without adequate facilities or are fragile to transport; producers are unable to supply a stipulated quantity at a stipulated time; and lack of quality control.
It is estimated that in Senegal the food processing sector provides 750,000 direct jobs, with a total economic impact of 3.2 million indirect jobs. Some 80% of economically active women are employed in this sector. Increased competitiveness in this sector has the potential to significantly increase women’s economic empowerment.
Fisheries
An estimated 40,000 women in Senegal work as fish processors — drying, salting, and smoking fresh fish, adding value to when the catch exceeds what can be immediately consumed thus reducing post-harvest losses. Indeed, the activity absorbs on average 30% to 40% of fish landings, and up to 75% in some areas. Fish processing has been recognized as a high potential sector for women to access higher-paying jobs.
Agro-processing activities can give rise to more green job opportunities for women, due to the increasing urban demand for processed food and growing investments in infrastructure and processing capacity of the private sector. Besides large food-processing industries, local SMEs managed mainly by women are engaged in processing domestic agricultural products, such as local cereals, fruit and vegetables, fish, and milk
Women work mainly in the artisanal fish processing sub-sector and depend on men for supply and marketing. There are few women in high management positions in the seafood industries and services. There are successful women fish traders who provide credit to fishermen and own fishing equipment such as boats, engines, and nets, but small-scale women traders face such challenges as lack of access to credit, high cost of equipment for processing, and lack of refrigeration at marketplaces.
Energy
The government of Senegal has committed to integrating gender concerns into energy policies and programmes, seeking to achieve fair and equitable access to energy for men and women, with few concrete actions implemented so far. Senegal is a hub for solar home systems companies operating in francophone West Africa. Three major companies operating in Senegal were founded by women (Bonergie, Vitalite, and Ellesolaire), and Oolu Solar has a female co-owner, one of the two leading Senegalese companies in this field.
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