| Approval Date | 04 Mar 2022 |
| Signature Date | 29 Nov 2022 |
| Planned Completion Date | 31 Dec 2026 |
| Sovereign / Non-Sovereign | Sovereign |
| Sector | Industry, Minning & Quarrying |
| DAC Sector Code | 32110 |
| Environmental Category | 3 |
| Commitment | U.A 3,000,000 |
| Status | Implementation |
The Sahel SME Linkage Programme proposes to implement the Africa SME Linkage Programme (Africa SME BLP) in the G-5 Sahel countries. Africa SME BLP aims to strengthen support to SMEs in Africa through an integrated approach. The programme identifies the main constraints to SME growth - business environment, access to skills, markets and finance - and proposes comprehensive solutions tailored to each country. This includes building the technical capacity of SMEs and improving their access to markets and financing mechanisms to increase their productivity and create jobs for women and young people. The programme costs USD 4.2 million and is funded by Pillar III of the Bank's Transition Support Facility. It will be implemented by the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) of the G5 Sahel over 3.5 years. The programme is structured around four components: (i) developing an enabling environment for businesses, including those run by women, (ii) building the capacity of SMEs and access to high quality skills, (iii) facilitating access to markets by creating business linkages with large enterprises and (iv) strengthening access to finance by ensuring the availability of adequate financing tailored to the needs of SMEs, including those run by women.
The specific outcomes are: (i) increased number of contracts between SMEs and large companies, (ii) increased number of loans accessed by beneficiary SMEs, (iii) increased participation of women in the SME segment and in accessing finance and markets, as well as opportunities for young people to enter the workforce through the jobs created. This should ultimately lead to the growth of SMEs, job creation, increased tax revenues for governments, increased regional trade, and the inclusion of women and youth.
The main beneficiaries of the programme are SMEs. In each country, up to 200 SMEs will be selected to benefit from the programme's support for a better impact on their activities, with a female participation in the selection between 30 and 50%. Other beneficiaries are chambers of commerce and business support organisations.
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Funding
Fragile States Facility
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| IATI identifier | 46002-P-Z1-BG0-036 |
| Last Update | 02 Feb 2023 |
| Name | BA Ma Soukha |
| m.s.ba@afdb.org |