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Local entrepreneurship promotion programme 

In Niger’s rural regions, where economic opportunities are scarce and youth unemployment is rising, the PROMEL programme offers a solution. By promoting local entrepreneurship and strengthening agricultural value chains, PROMEL empowers women and young people to build sustainable livelihoods. Through inclusive business clusters, access to finance, and targeted capacity building, the programme transforms local economies and fosters resilience in communities most affected by poverty and instability.
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Dosso, Niger
13.0504833
3.2080991
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Maradi, Niger
13.5009779
7.103639599999999
Niger
Project duration
2021 - 2025
a project of

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC

Background

Niger ranks among the poorest countries in the world, with an economy heavily reliant on agriculture and informal trade. Each year, approximately 500,000 young people enter the labour market, facing high levels of unemployment and underemployment. Women and youth are disproportionately affected by poverty and food insecurity, particularly in the border regions of Dosso and Maradi, which have strong agricultural and commercial potential.

In this context, the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) is a key lever for stimulating local economies, strengthening community resilience, and promoting inclusive economic growth. The PROMEL programme was designed to address these challenges by supporting rural entrepreneurship and improving access to markets.

 

Project Overview

The Local Entrepreneurship Promotion Programme (PROMEL) aims to create employment and income opportunities for women and youth in rural areas by supporting agricultural entrepreneurship and market access. 

PROMEL is built around the development of Business Clusters (BCs) – locally organised market systems that bring together interconnected actors around high-potential value chains. These clusters enable producers, MSMEs, and professional associations to co-develop business plans, access finance, adopt digital technologies, and strengthen their capacities.

The programme also integrates a conflict-sensitive approach, applying the “Do No Harm” principle to ensure that interventions contribute to social cohesion and avoid exacerbating local tensions.

Our Approach

PROMEL’s strategy is structured around four key pillars:

  • Value Chain Development: Supporting promising agricultural sectors (e.g. dairy, potatoes, vegetables, peanuts) to improve productivity, processing, and commercialisation.
  • Access to Finance: Facilitating connections with microfinance institutions and developing financial products tailored to the needs of rural entrepreneurs.
  • Capacity Building: Supporting MSMEs in job creation through continuous training, access to digital tools, and expanded market opportunities.
  • Enabling Environment: Supporting the development of public policies and regulatory reforms that promote entrepreneurship among women and youth.

Our Results

  • 15,000 women and youth (with gender parity) improve their socio-economic situation through employment and income generation.
  • 400 MSMEs receive tailored business support.
  • 1,250 micro-enterprises are launched and supported under PROMEL Phase II.
  • Strengthened local resilience to conflict and economic shocks.

News

View all news from Local entrepreneurship promotion programme (PROMEL)
Niger
17.07.2025
World Youth Skills Day 2025: Digital Technology and AI at the Heart of Empowerment in Niamey
Niamey, 15 July 2025 – The 10th edition of the World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) was celebrated at the École Supérieure des Communications Électroniques et de la Poste-Niger (ESCEP) under the theme: ‘Empowering youth through Artificial Intelligence and Digital Skills’. Organised by Swisscontact in partnership with ESCEP, the event highlighted the strategic role of emerging technologies in the professional integration of young people.
Niger
Labour market insertion, Growth entrepreneurship
23.05.2024
An entrepreneurial Vision for Niger’s Digital Future
Niger ranks among the world’s poorest countries. Despite the Sahel region’s interior harbouring valuable raw materials, the majority of the country’s gross domestic product is earned in agriculture and the informal sector. Approximately 80 percent of the population survives on subsistence agriculture, and nearly half of Nigeriens live in extreme poverty. The goal of Swisscontact’s local entrepreneurship promotion programme (PROMEL) is to improve collaboration with institutional partners and the private sector, improving access to markets for businesses, and creating income opportunities for women and young people through educational qualifications.
Niger
Growth entrepreneurship
03.11.2023
Thanks to my small business, I am an accomplished and independent woman
Niger’s young workforce grapples with formidable obstacles on the job market, with unemployment and underemployment topping the list of hurdles. Recognising the critical need for alternative avenues, young entrepreneurs are turning to micro and small enterprises to fill the void left by the limited formal employment opportunities and insufficient job creation in the country. Annually, approximately 500 000 determined young individuals in Niger embark on the challenging journey of entering the job market.   
 Among these aspirants was Halima.