The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced during her visit to West Africa that Canada would spend $112.6 million to fund four development projects and initiatives in Senegal.

Funding of $19.6 million over five years (2016 to 2021) will go to the International Development Research Centre to support the work being done by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, particularly in Senegal.

Minister Bibeau also announced funding for a series of other projects. For example, $70 million over five years (2015 to 2020) was allocated to the Government of Senegal to help it implement its Plan Sénégal Émergent [emerging Senegal plan], which will assist the country in achieving strong and inclusive growth. This support includes upward of $50 million in budgetary assistance to enable the Senegalese government to enhance its public financial management and governance of key sectors, such as agriculture and nutrition. Canada will also provide $20 million in technical assistance to help various departments manage public funds and ensure service delivery to the Senegalese population.

During her trip to Senegal, the Minister toured development projects in Dakar and Thiès that are improving the access of women and youth to primary health care as well as to primary education.

“Senegal will find that Canada can be one of its key partners. Projects in the fields of education and health, as well as those aimed at supporting the Senegalese government in executing its national development plan, constitute a direct investment in the country’s future. They all seek to support job creation to benefit Senegalese women and youth.

“Women’s empowerment is crucial for the development of Senegal, which must be able to rely on their presence in all spheres of society. I am determined to ensure that Canada’s international aid resources go first and foremost toward giving women the means to contribute fully to the development of their communities.”

- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

Distributed by APO on behalf of Department of Foreign Affairs Canada.