Thursday, July 18, 2024, marked a significant turning point for the commune of Gueule Tapée-Fass-Colobane with the inauguration of new infrastructure at the Soumbédioune fish market. This event represents the culmination of an ambitious project funded by UNCDF, aimed at strengthening the commune's investment capacity, boosting the local economy, and promoting women's empowerment.

The market's rehabilitation, identified as a priority in the Communal Development Plan, was carried out as part of UNCDF's local financing mission. The new facilities include a protective roof, new stalls, storage spaces and improved sanitation. These improvements offer better working conditions for women processors and vendors, while enhancing hygiene and product quality. The improvement in sanitary conditions significantly contributes to food security and public health in the area.

The impact of this renovation on the local ecosystem is significant. Vendors can now work longer hours, sheltered from the sun, which increases their daily income. The modernized market attracts more customers, creating new economic opportunities. This revitalization of commercial activity helps to expand the local fiscal space, potentially generating more revenue for the municipality.

"We are very happy with this achievement. Previously, we worked in the open air, exposed to rain, sun and weather conditions like wind and cold. Now, this difficulty is resolved. We can work in normal sanitary conditions and with enough space for our fish sales."

- Maimounah Ndiaye, Fish Vendor, Soumbédioune.

Beyond the economic aspects, the project strengthens the social fabric of the community. The Soumbédioune Market is not just a place of commerce, but also a space for life and cultural exchanges. The rehabilitation preserves and enhances this crucial social role.

This initiative perfectly aligns with UNCDF's mission to support development by facilitating access to finance in high-risk environments. As a United Nations catalytic blended finance platform, UNCDF deploys its unique investment mandate here to mobilize capital for high-impact SDG investments.

Subprefect Djibril Diallo, in his speech, states:

"The realization of such a project exactly responds to the policy defined by the highest state authorities. The commune of Gueule-Tapée-Fass-Colobane, in collaboration with the United Nations system for equipment, is working to significantly improve the living conditions of our actors."

- Djibril Diallo, Subprefect, Dakar

He continues: "This reflects the sense of decentralized cooperation dictated by the general code of local and territorial authorities in Article 16, which stipulates that: Territorial authorities may undertake, according to methods set by decree, cooperation actions among themselves, with the State, or any appropriate structure with a view to promoting and coordinating development actions."

The Mayor of the Commune of Gueule Tapée-Fass-Colobane welcomes the fruitful partnership with the United Nations system that has allowed his commune to benefit from basic social infrastructure.

"Our fruitful partnership, called GFC Emergent includes, among other projects, capturing the demographic dividend, territorial action for Sustainable Development Goals, urban security, and the project that brings us together today."

- Mayor of the commune of Gueule Tapée-Fass-Colobane.

The next phase of the project aims to transform the wider area, including the craft market and fishing dock. This transformation will rely on innovative municipal public-private partnerships, illustrating UNCDF's approach to blended finance solutions.

The inauguration of the Soumbédioune fish market demonstrates how targeted investments can stimulate the local economy, empower women and strengthen community resilience.

UNCDF funded this infrastructure to improve the fisheries value chain, a pillar of the "Plan Sénégal Emergent, to increase women's economic empowerment, and to strengthen the local economy through the project's effective sustainability.

"The modernization of the market mainly benefits women processors and vendors, offering them new infrastructure: roof, new stalls, storage spaces, and improved sanitation

In the next phase, the objective will be to transform the area, including the craft market and fishing dock, using notably the new legislation on municipal PPPs as well as innovative financing mechanisms available to local authorities in Senegal. This new transformation will only be possible through the cooperation of all relevant actors, where each can contribute their part to the edifice and make the area a true hub of opportunities, promising a prosperous and equitable future for all."

- Christel Alvergne, Regional Coordinator for West and Central Africa, UNCDF.

This is a concrete example of how UNCDF works to catalyze systemic change and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the most neglected markets.