Signing the Financing Agreement for the Regional Project for Learning and Educational Cooperation in the Sahel Region

The headquarters of the diplomatic academy in Nouakchott witnessed this morning, Tuesday, a signing ceremony for the financing agreement of the regional project for learning and educational cooperation in the Sahel region ‘Sahel Launch’ under the slogan: ‘Chad and Mauritania together to develop education and unleash potential’, funded by the World Bank and the German Development Bank.The project was signed on the Mauritanian side by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Sid’ Ahmed Ould Bouah, and on the Chadian side by the Minister Delegate in Charge of Economy, Planning, and International Cooperation, Ms. Fatima Arm Asil, while the World Bank was represented by the Vice President for West and Central Africa, Mr. Ousmane Diagana.

The “Coastal Launch” project embodies three main commitments, including improving educational governance through supporting transparency and efficiency, expanding access to innovative education through the “open school” model, and establishing a strong monitoring and evaluation system that ensures accountability and quality performance.The goal of this project is to enhance regional dialogue and mobilize resources to ensure effective and sustainable implementation, directing efforts towards achieving a tangible impact that serves the aspirations of the people in the region.The project primarily targets the most vulnerable youth, those who have left the educational system or have not had the opportunity to enroll in it, living in marginalized areas.This project complements other national programs, such as the project supporting the basic education sector in Mauritania and the project improving educational outcomes in basic education in Chad.

The Minister of Economy and Finance stated in a speech on the occasion that signing the financing agreement for the “Launch of the Sahel” project reflects a shared commitment to building a brighter future for a resilient, educated, and ambitious Sahel.He noted that since 2021, Mauritania has laid the groundwork for a shared ambition by preparing the “White Paper on Education in the Sahel,” which resulted from fruitful cooperation between the World Bank and countries in the region.He added that the issuance of the Nouakchott Declaration, which expressed a shared willingness to adopt a unified regional approach, and the organization of ministerial meetings in Nouakchott (2022) and N’Djamena (2024), constituted significant milestones in formulating an integrated vision that culminated today in the launch of the “Launch of the Sahel” project.He explained that the project represents hope for hundreds of thousands of young people in the region, noting that the total funding for the project amounts to 137 million US dollars, of which 72.32 million dollars is allocated to Mauritania.

He explained that the financing includes a concessional loan of 44 million US dollars from the International Development Association, and a grant from the Federal Republic of Germany amounting to 12.9 million US dollars, which totals approximately 2.25 billion new ouguiyas. He confirmed that the project completely aligns with the vision of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, who has put forward a comprehensive modernization project within the framework of the ‘Republican School’ that seeks to bring about a qualitative leap in thought and intellect, and establishes a social contract based on the values of citizenship and diversity. He expressed his deep appreciation for the World Bank, which will provide over 80 million dollars in funding, and for the Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the German Development Bank (KfW), which will provide more than 56 million US dollars.

For her part, the Minister Delegate in charge of Economy, Planning, and International Cooperation of the Republic of Chad stated that the launch of the regional project for educational learning and cooperation in the Sahel region from Nouakchott reflects the determination of Chad and Mauritania, which share similar situations, to address educational emergencies.She added that the project is not only a technical response but also a political, moral, and collective response, embodying the determination to change the course and build a different future, and to invest in human capital.She pointed out that the commitment of the Republic of Chad is to enhance educational governance to ensure rigorous planning, make data-driven decisions, promote transparency and accountability, and encourage alternative, innovative, and inclusive solutions to reach the most marginalized groups, especially in rural and pastoral areas or those affected by insecurity and poverty.She called upon all technical and financial partners to continue investing in education, not only financially but through innovation, expertise, advocacy, and lobbying.

The Vice President of the World Bank for West and Central Africa had previously clarified in a speech that the essence of the World Bank’s strategy is based on building solid foundations through investment in knowledge and skills to achieve strong, inclusive, and sustainable growth, emphasizing that learning is the basis of employability and that there can be no economic empowerment without competencies.As for the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Mauritania, His Excellency Mr. Florian Rendell, he pointed out that his country has decided, in cooperation with the World Bank, to support this innovative regional initiative, for which German cooperation has allocated over 56 million US dollars in funding.He explained that the “Sahel Initiatives” project will create flexible educational pathways through the “open school” model designed to reach 850,000 young nomads and unaccompanied refugees, with special support allocated to girls who make up 50% of the beneficiaries.

He added that this model will provide alternative pathways to formal education or employment through vocational training, and will strengthen educational systems and regional cooperation, emphasizing that the project will have links to the ‘Global Partnership for Education,’ which promotes basic education in the region and is supported and financed by Germany.The signing of the ‘Coast Launch’ project was attended by the Minister of Vocational Training, Traditional Industry, and Crafts, the Minister of Education and Educational Reform, the Minister of National Education and Civil Promotion in the Republic of Chad, the World Bank representative in Mauritania, and technical and financial partners.