Guinea Bissau - Project to Support the Empowerment and Financial Inclusion of Women and Youths in The Cashew, Fruit and Vegetable Sectors (PAIFJ)

The Project to support the Empowerment and Financial Inclusion of Women and Youths in the Cashew, Fruit and Vegetable Sectors (PAIFJ) aims at improving women’s economic empowerment. It promotes the professionalisation of cooperatives, micro and small agricultural produce processing enterprises, the development of women's expertise and leadership and their greater access to credit. PAIFJ is in line with Guinea Bissau's national strategies, especially the "Terra Ranka Bissau 2025" vision, which reflects the political will to undertake a transition to a prosperous and inclusive society by 2025. Estimated at UA 5.12 million for a 5-year period, the project, which covers Bissau and the regions of Oio, Biombo and Cacheu, is financed by the ADF (UA 5 million loan) and the Bissau Guinean government (UA 0.12 million). The choice of processing and marketing links in the cashew, fruit and vegetable (mango, wild fruit, tomato, tubers, etc.) sectors is doubly justified because of the dominant presence of women (80% of the labour force in cashew nut harvesting) and given that these are economic niches with enormous potential for rapid and sustainable growth. Indeed, processing 10% of the national cashew nut production into almonds could generate a surplus of 60% of Guinea Bissau’s export value. It would also produce significant employment and income benefits. The project complements other Bank operations in Guinea Bissau (PARCA closed in 2018, PDCV Riz and PACVEAR still under being implemented) and consolidates the Bank's strategies, especially for gender.