Ouahigouya:As part of the "Women in Business" communication campaign, journalists visited an agri-food processing unit and an organic compost production site in Ouahigouya, Yaadga region, highlighting the economic empowerment efforts of women through local initiatives.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Faso Ri-Songo company, engaged in processing, training, and marketing agri-food products, was the first stop. The company, led by Director Binta Sawadogo, transforms cereals into ABNORM-certified fortified infant flour, utilizing local ingredients like millet, soybeans, beans, peanuts, and monkey bread powder. Sawadogo noted, "I've been here for 32 years and we are in our 9th year in the unit here. We are 26 women and now we have 3 boys and 5 internally displaced people."

The provincial director of Family and Solidarity of Yatenga, Bassirou Nayaoue, stated that Ri-Songo receives training support. The visit also included a stop at the organic compost production site operated by the Yatenga Association for Sustainable Development of Internally Displaced, Refugee and Host Women. This 1.5-hectare site involves 50 internally displaced persons, 30 Malian refugees, and 30 hosts in its operations.

Association President Salamata Ganame shared that the site includes 515 papaya trees providing income for the members. "This is an agro-ecological production site, and our main activity is the manufacture of organic compost fertilizer," Ganame said. The association, established in 2022, produced 956 tonnes of organic compost in 2023 and 1,600 tonnes in 2024, selling all of it. However, they faced market challenges in 2025 and 2026.

Ganame emphasized that funds from sales support family needs, including children's education, despite market and water scarcity challenges. She noted, "The structures that support us are the CNRST, Social Action, the technical services of Agriculture, Environment, and the UNHCR."

The SWEDD+ project campaign, launched on October 10, 2026, in Koudougou, continues until October 29 in Nando, Yaadga, and Koulse. Led by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Family and Solidarity, with URCB-SD, CCEB-BF, and the NGO ASMADE, the campaign is financed by the World Bank through PADS, promoting women's entrepreneurship as a catalyst for social transformation, reducing gender inequalities, and fostering inclusive growth.