In accordance with Senegal’s development strategy, the 11th European Development Fund is contributing to the development of a sustainable and inclusive economy. Notably, three areas of focus have been chosen for the period from 2014 to 2020:
- Strengthening democratic governance
- Sustainable agricultural development
- Food security, water and sanitation.
- Support for civil society is another priority area of cooperation.
The total allocation from this 11th EDF for Senegal is 227.6 billion CFAF (EUR 347 million) divided into two phases: the first National Indicative Programme (NIP) covers the 2014-2017 period with a budget allocation of 131.1 billion CFAF (EUR 200 million). The second phase is scheduled for 2018 to 2020.
Sustainable agricultural development and food security
50 % of the working population are employed in agriculture, and this sector represents the third largest budget heading in terms of public investment (13 % of expenditure). However, the sector only represents 7.1 % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Support from the backers of funds like the EU should contribute towards establishing the infrastructure (roads, facilities, storage, energy) and inputs necessary (in terms of technical, environmental and management know-how and access to financing) to significantly increase the share of agriculture/sustainable livestock farming in GDP and strengthen food and nutritional security.
This will primarily involve:
- Improving preventative action and the response to food and nutritional crises;
- Improving the productivity of agriculture that is sustainable and resilient to climate change;
- Facilitating market access and food availability;
- Improving governance of the sustainable management of production factors and marketing of agricultural products.
Access to water and sanitation
The PEPAM (Programme d’eau Potable et d’Assainissement du Millénaire [Drinking Water and Sanitation Millennium Programme]), set up by the Senegalese government, aims to improve access to drinking water and sanitation.
Access to drinking water and sanitation in rural areas is a sector that requires an enormous adjustment since the gap between town and country has a tendency to widen (78 % water access rate in rural areas vs 99 % in urban areas).
The sector has been receiving ongoing support from the EU since the 8th EDF. This commitment will continue over the coming years since the water and sanitation sector has been chosen as a third area of focus in the NIP under the 11th EDF. The sum of EUR 65 million, in the form of a gift, will be allocated by the EU to the Senegalese State during the 2014-2017 period.
This will primarily involve:
- Improving access and rectifying disparities in access to drinking water in rural areas;
- Improving access and rectifying disparities in access to proper sanitation systems;
- Ensuring the preservation of drinking water and sanitation infrastructure assets;
- Ensuring the establishment of a mechanism for the sustainable management of water resources;
- Putting in place the tools for sectoral governance in order to prepare the sector for a Contrat de Réforme Sectorielle (CRS) [Sectoral Reform Contract].