On this International Day of Francophonie, let us take this opportunity to celebrate some of
our recent programming in Francophone countries.
JA Africa has engaged on a deliberate expansion plan into Francophone countries since
2022. Last year has seen the implementation of JA programs in six Francophone countries;
Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar Mauritius and
Senegal, impacting the lives of more than 25,000 young people.
Some of the highlights were the return of JA Programs in Burkina Faso and Senegal since
2019 and 2018 respectively. Around 3,000 young people were trained through the Passeport
Pour Le Futur Program in Burkina Faso. Young people in Senegal were also once again able
to benefit from JA Programs through the Delta Innovation Camp, while 50 girls also learned
about STEM related careers through the GE Girls in STEM Progeam. Senegal also hosted
its first Company Program since 2016.
JA Programs were also implemented for the first time in Madagascar, through the JA DEEP
program, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, through the Passeport Pour Le Futur
program.
Mauritius and Côte d’Ivoire also increased their reach in 2023, with one of the main highlight
being the start of the Social Equity Program in Abidjan. Last year also saw the return of both
countries at the JA Africa Regional Company of the Year Competition in Kigali, in December.
JA Africa also hosted its inaugural Francophone entrepreneurial pitch competition, Jeunes
Entrepreneurs de Demain (JED), which was won by JD Agro from the Democratic Republic
of Congo.
The above was achieved first through the securing of partnerships with key stakeholders
with Ministries as well as other NGOs. Some of those partnerships formalised being with the
The result was also achieved through the strengthening of the JA team in the Francophone
countries, through some key recruitments.
The year 2024 will see the continued expansion in Francophone countries, with programs
being implemented in Togo as well as seeing the expansion of JA programs in the existing
countries. The Social Equity Program will also be expanded to Burkina Faso, Democratic
Republic of Congo as well as Togo. The year 2024 will also end with Mauritius hosting the JA Africa Regional Company of the
Year in December.
The expansion into Francophone countries was made possible thanks to the support from
Boeing, Delta, GE, PMIEF, The Coca Cola Foundation, The Tomorrow Foundation and The
Z-Zurich Foundation.
