Burkina Faso/Local development: UNDP and IAMGOLD Essakane SA strengthen their partnership for the benefit of the Sahel region
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the mining company IAMGOLD Essakane SA are continuing their commitment to local development and social cohesion in the Sahel region.
The two parties met to exchange views on the progress made in implementing the FAMAGODO component of the Local Governance and Social Cohesion (GoLCoS) project. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss future prospects for their collaboration, this Wednesday, February 19, 2025, in Ouagadougou.
The FAMAGODO component of the GoLCoS project, jointly financed by UNDP and IAMGOLD Essakane SA, aims to improve access to basic infrastructure, strengthen the employability of young people and improve the quality of life of the local population. strengthen the employability of young people and promote the socio-economic integration of women and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Lasting two years (December 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024), it has been implemented in the communes of Falagountou, Markoye, Gorom Gorom and Dori.
Thanks to this initiative, significant transformations are already observable, according to stakeholders.
Improved employment opportunities for young people, the empowerment of women, and access to essential infrastructure such as drinking water and solar lighting, have all contributed to strengthening the resilience of local communities. These advances have also boosted the productivity of agroforestry activities and enhanced security in beneficiary areas.
Encouraging results and strengthened collaboration
The UNDP Resident Representative, Alfredo Goncalves Teixeira, and the General Manager of IAMGOLD Essakane SA, Tidiane Barry, expressed their satisfaction with the progress of project activities. Acknowledging the positive impact of this initiative on the well-being of local populations, they affirmed their willingness to continue and intensify their collaboration.
"Having reviewed the results of this project, I can say that they are very satisfactory. Because we can really see that this project has had a very positive impact on the people of the Sahel, particularly the women, young people and vulnerable populations component.
It's been really interesting and beneficial for us to join forces with an organization like the UNDP to acquire the development experience they have. This enables us to set up sustainable projects in the Sahel," asserts Tidiane Barry, Managing Director of IAMGOLD Essakane SA.
As a result, he points out, a number of infrastructures and income-generating activities have been set up to meet the crucial needs of women, young people and vulnerable populations in the Sahel. This was made possible by an initial investment of 2.5 million US dollars, or around 1.46 billion CFA francs, of which IAMGOLD Essakane SA contributed 1.17 billion CFA francs.
In addition, 125 projects have been incubated for the benefit of women and young people, 2 km of shopping street has been lit with solar power, and a library has been equipped with an Internet connection. At the meeting, the stakeholders agreed to extend the implementation of the FAMAGODO component, with a more substantial financial contribution, in order to consolidate and extend the gains made.
"The choice of partnership with IAMGOLD Essakane SA is based on a rigorous evaluation by the UNDP. So there's a whole process to reassure us of a good partnership. That's why the partner must respect the criteria and principles of the United Nations. This was the case with Essakane. And I congratulate this partnership with Essakane, with whom we are conducting an innovative project that enables us to measure the impact of this mining company's intervention in the field of development goals.development goals (SDGs)," explained Alfredo Goncalves Teixeira, UNDP Resident Representative in Burkina Faso.
A lasting commitment to development in the Sahel
The collaboration between the UNDP and IAMGOLD Essakane SA is part of a drive to promote sustainable development and strengthen social cohesion in a region facing numerous socio-economic and security challenges. By focusing on economic empowerment, access to basic services and community resilience, this initiative illustrates the positive impact of partnerships between the private sector and international development institutions.
With the announced extension of the project and the increase in funding, the outlook is promising for the beneficiary populations. This strategic partnership demonstrates once again that concerted and sustainable action can contribute to inclusive and equitable development, by providing concrete solutions to local challenges. The GolCos project is co-financed by the Netherlands and the UNDP, and comprises several components, including FAMAGODO.
Source: lefaso.net/
