Baskour:The Ministry of Sports, Youth and Employment, in collaboration with the Permanent Secretariat of YouthConnekt Burkina, has initiated a four-day training session on rural entrepreneurship for 30 young individuals in Baskour, Kourittenga Province. This training is part of the presidential initiative "Referent-Opportunities-Integration" (ROPI).
According to Burkina Information Agency, the training aims to equip participants with the knowledge necessary to identify economic opportunities in their surroundings, develop their projects, and ultimately create income-generating activities. The ROPI initiative is designed to provide local services related to information, awareness, guidance, and training in employment and integration for rural youth.
Soumaila Sana, a technical support officer at the Permanent Secretariat of YouthConnekt Burkina, emphasized the need for economic empowerment and self-employment. He highlighted the importance of providing young people with the skills and tools to create their own employment opportunities, especially given the current demand for jobs.
The training sessions cover various themes, including entrepreneurship fundamentals, business legal structures, financing options for rural businesses, and identifying promising sectors within the local region. Trainer Minata Oudraogo noted the participants' active engagement and interest in entrepreneurship topics.
Participants, such as Lauraine Sawadogo, have expressed appreciation for the training modules, which have helped them better understand entrepreneurship and the steps necessary to start a business. W. Herv Zougmor also acknowledged the potential benefits of the acquired knowledge for future activities.
Baskour is the only commune in the Nakamb region to receive this training in 2026, offering a unique opportunity for local youth. Thomas Karanga, head of the youth promotion and integration department in Baskour, sees this as a significant chance for the commune's young population. Mahazou Minoungou, head of the Sports and Leisure Department, congratulated the participants for their keen interest and engagement during the training sessions.