Bale: The Association of Women in the Mining Sector of Burkina Faso (AFEMIB) organized an information and awareness workshop in Bagassi for 25 women entrepreneurs, focusing on local content and the Local Purchasing Exchange (BAL) to help them access market opportunities at the Roxgold mine. This initiative is part of AFEMIB’s efforts to enhance the capacity of women entrepreneurs in the mining sector to integrate into the supply chain of the Roxgold mining company.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the workshop aimed to educate women from enterprising cooperatives on the national local content strategy and the Local Purchasing Exchange mechanism. Participants engaged with trainers and the AFEMIB team through two presentations. Roger Zoungrana, head of the local content department at SP/CNLPI, conducted the first module on local content. He explained the concepts of local content, local procurement exchanges, and the regulatory framework that governs them. Mr. Zoungrana highlighted the economic opportunities for local businesses, noting the 2025 potential market estimate of 940 billion CFA francs with reserved quotas for local suppliers.
The second presentation was by representatives of Soleil Ressources Roxgold, the mining company operating in the area. They outlined opportunities for local suppliers, particularly in agri-food products, catering services, and other sectors. The presentation also covered supplier evaluation criteria such as administrative regularity, technical and financial capabilities, and compliance with deadlines.
Participants engaged in group work to simulate real scenarios for submitting tenders for various services. This exercise helped identify constraints faced by women entrepreneurs and led to recommendations for overcoming them. Participants expressed satisfaction with the workshop’s content and its impact on their businesses.
AFEMIB representative Rachel Ye/Sawadogo opened the ceremony by thanking local authorities and partners for their support. She emphasized the economic potential of women and the importance of promoting inclusive local development. The president of the Bagassi special delegation pledged municipal support for initiatives empowering women entrepreneurs and thanked AFEMIB for their efforts.
The workshop aligns with AFEMIB’s 2025 Annual Work and Budget Plan, supported by PARGFM and SP-CNLPI. Several sessions have been organized to benefit women entrepreneurs in municipalities affected by mining activities.