August 30, 2023

Towards the development of a dynamic network of women processors in the maize partnership

Staple Crops

Burkina Faso

BURKINA FASO

2SCALE attaches paramount importance to networking between key players in a value chain, which is seen as essential to performance and competitiveness. For the programme, the power of networking lies in its potential to positively influence SMEs/SMIs towards new heights, fostering a collaborative dynamic and synergy essential to success.

With this vision in mind, the corn partnership has set itself the task of facilitating the establishment of a supportive network of women craft processors where they can regularly share their experiences, address their challenges and build solutions, turning competition into opportunity. With the commitment and active participation of women processors in Bobo-Dioulasso and Banfora, two networks of micro-companies for small-scale maize processing have been set up in the maize partnership.

These networks provide a dynamic platform for collaboration and the resolution of challenges in the small-scale maize processing sub-sector.

Entrepreneurship training to boost competitiveness

Fifty-six (56) women, each owning a small-scale maize processing unit, were trained by the 2SCALE programme in entrepreneurship using the AYA approach. The topics covered were: operational marketing, commercial communication, financial management and public speaking.

For Ms MILLOGO Rebecca, a food processor in Bobo-Dioulasso:

Thanks to this training, I've fully grasped the crucial importance of marketing and communication to improve the visibility of my products. Also, financial management in relation to my business was often neglected. This course was a good dose of financial education.

The idea of networking... Reflection followed by concrete action

Driven by the desire to co-construct a collective and sustainable growth dynamic in order to ensure their leadership, the small-scale maize processors exchanged ideas alongside the training sessions organised by 2SCALE to lay the foundations for their structuring on a regional scale. Women processors in Bobo-Dioulasso and Banfora set up 2 networks: the Bobo-Dioulasso network of small-scale maize processors, with 25 members, and the Banfora network of small-scale maize processors, with 31 members.

Each network has a temporary board of 3 people. The existence of these networks marks the start of a new era of dynamic collaboration between processors and the future affirmation of their leadership. For the first two (02) leaders of these networks in Bobo-Dioulasso and Banfora, SANOU Marceline and GNOULA Rachelle, the power to progress lies in unity, and they intend to bring this joint project to a successful conclusion.

2SCALE supports the existence of a culture of effective collaboration within the networks of women processors

As soon as the networks of women maize processors in Bobo-Dioulasso and Banfora were set up, 2SCALE facilitated the creation of WhatsApp groups bringing together women processors from the two networks.

2SCALE also intends to provide many other services to these networks, focusing on the development of a culture of collaboration, mutual capacity building, access to finance and other support opportunities.

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