STUDY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN’S PRODUCTIVE INCLUSION IN GUINEA Line Le Teuff May 2023 EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND NAFA PROGRAM SUPPORT PROJECT ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT This work was commissioned by the World Bank and financed through the Rapid Social Response (RSR) program. The report was written for the World Bank by Line Le Teuff, a consultant specializing in social protection. DISCLAIMER The author accepts sole responsibility for the report. The contents of the report do not necessarily reflect the official position of the World Bank. None of the institutions or persons acting on their behalf is responsible for the use that may be made of the information contained in this report. Publication of this report does not imply endorsement of the views expressed by any of these institutions. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Financial Inclusion Department, through its Director, Ms. Oumou Banouna Barry, and its Cash Transfer Expert, Mr. Ayouba Condé. The author would also like to thank «A special mention to Elisa Larcher, all the Community Support Managers, as well as the research assistant, for providing ANIES community assistants, who greatly facilitated the extraordinary support in all phases of preparation and conduct of the survey. this study and supporting data analysis The author is very grateful to Mrs. Claudia Zambra Taïbo, and report writing.» Task Team Leader from the World Bank, for her invaluable support throughout the study, her great availability, and for the constructive exchanges. Our warmest thanks go to the World Bank office in We would like to express our gratitude to our colleagues Conakry, Guinea, and more specifically to Mr. Michel and national researchers, Gamey Zogbelemou, Penda Zeze Koivoigui (Social Protection Specialist), Ms. Aïssatou Oury Barry, Thomas Lamah and Kémo Zoumanigui, for Diallo (Program Assistant) and Mr. Salifou Sylla (Health and their excellent fieldwork, responsiveness and constant Social Protection Assistant) for the great availability and support. excellent responsiveness they demonstrated throughout The author sincerely thanks all the people interviewed, this study. Their unfailing support contributed greatly to the women interviewees in the districts surveyed, the success of this mission. the administrative authorities, economic players and The author would like to express his gratitude to Ms community leaders who made themselves available and Virginie Touré (FAEFF), Ms Hadiatou Barry (AKIBA placed their trust in the field team. Finance), the team from the Ministry of Agriculture and Special thanks are due to the entire ANIES team for their Livestock (MAGEL), Mr Safaiou Bah and Ibrahima Bah availability, numerous contributions and constructive (SWEDD Program), and Mr Aliou Bah (CADES) for the interactions, without whom this study would not have richness of our exchanges and the information shared, been possible. Our warmest thanks go to the ANIES which contributed substantially to the study. National Coordinator, Dr. Paul Faber, to the team in the TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1. General context ................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2. Social safety nets and productive inclusion................................................................................................. 7 1.3. Background of the study .................................................................................................................................. 9 1.4. Study objectives ................................................................................................................................................. 9 2. METHODOLOGY AND CONDUCT OF THE STUDY ............................................................................................... 11 2.1. Sampling ............................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.2 Organization of data collection and management .................................................................................... 14 2.2.1 Team composition and responsibilities................................................................................................. 14 2.2.2 Data collection and management ........................................................................................................ 14 2.3 Ethical considerations ....................................................................................................................................... 16 3. RESULTS ............................................................................................................................................................................. 18 3.1. Major constraints to women's productive inclusion .................................................................................. 18 3.1.1. Access to basic infrastructure ................................................................................................................ 18 3.1.2. The weight of socio-cultural norms ..................................................................................................... 19 3.1.3. Markets, accessibility and mobility........................................................................................................ 21 3.1.4. Poor access to credit ............................................................................................................................... 21 3.1.5. Obstacles to IGA development ............................................................................................................. 22 3.2. Key opportunities for women’s socio-economic inclusion ..................................................................... 22 3.2.1. Access to electricity and telecommunications .................................................................................. 23 3.2.2. Socio-cultural elements.......................................................................................................................... 24 3.2.3. Women’s availability, mobility and accessibility .............................................................................. 25 3.2.4. Community habits ................................................................................................................................... 26 3.2.5. Access to savings and credit................................................................................................................ 27 3.2.6. Economic opportunities ......................................................................................................................... 28 3.2.7. Growth sectors and value chains ......................................................................................................... 32 3.2.8. Access to financing ................................................................................................................................. 33 4. PROPOSED PRODUCTIVE INCLUSION PACKAGES AND STRATEGIC ORIENTATIONS ............................... 36 4.1. Content suggestions ......................................................................................................................................... 36 4.1.1. Human capital and other accompanying measures ......................................................................... 37 4.1.2. Complete package of productive inclusion measures ................................................................... 37 4.2 Strategic recommendations............................................................................................................................. 41 4.3 Suggestions and prospects.............................................................................................................................. 44 4.3.1 Organizational set-up................................................................................................................................ 44 4.3.2 Partnership prospects and programmatic links................................................................................. 45 Appendix 1. Data collection schedule............................................................................................................................... 48 Appendix 2. Bibliography..................................................................................................................................................... 51 List of Tables Table 1 Complete final sample ....................................................................................................................................... 13 Table 2 Main IGAs by prefecture and population group.......................................................................................... 31 Table 3 Summary of recommendations by project cycle ........................................................................................ 42-43 Table 4 Summary of recommendations by measure................................................................................................. 44 Table 5 Number of VSCA groups and members by CA........................................................................................... 45 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS AF........................................................ Additional Financing ANIES.................................................. National Agency for Economic and Social Inclusion APP...................................................... Agricultural product processing CA........................................................ Community Assistant CADES................................................ Support Center for Economic and Social Development CAEF................................................... Center for Women’s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship CFS...................................................... Social safety nets unit CR ....................................................... Community Relay CSM..................................................... Community Support Manager CT........................................................ Cash transfer DFI....................................................... Director of Financial Inclusion DMR.................................................... Director of Microprojects EHCVM............................................... Harmonized Survey of Household Living Conditions ERNPSP.............................................. Emergency Response and Nafa Program Support Project FAEFF................................................. Support Fund for Economic Activities of Women and Girls FG........................................................ Focus group FGM..................................................... Female genital mutilation GBV..................................................... Gender-Based Violence GC ...................................................... Group Coaching GDP..................................................... Gross Domestic Product GNF..................................................... Guinean franc HDI...................................................... Human Development Index IC ........................................................ Individual coaching IGA ..................................................... Income Generating Activity INS....................................................... National Institute of Statistics MAGEL................................................ Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock MFI....................................................... Microfinance institution MIS...................................................... Management Information System NGO ................................................... Non-governmental organization PFMT................................................... Women’s participation in the labor market PM ...................................................... Productive Measure PMT..................................................... Proxy means test PO ....................................................... Payment operator PRC..................................................... Community resource person RGPH-3 .............................................Third General Census of Population and Housing RSR...................................................... Rapid Social Response SWEDD ............................................. Sahel Women Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Project TTL ..................................................... Task team leader VSCA ................................................. Village Savings and Credit Association WB ...................................................... World Bank 5 1. BACKGROUND 1.1. General context presence of numerous minerals in its subsoil – its economy faces many challenges. Moreover, it is largely dependent Guinea is a West African country with a surface area of on the secondary sector, equivalent to 35%10 of Gross 245,857 km², divided into 4 regions: Maritime Guinea, Domestic Product (GDP), which is dominated by mining Upper Guinea, Middle Guinea and Forest Guinea. Many activities11. The economic growth rate thus accelerated ethnic groups live here, but the three most represented in 2022 to 4.7%12, due to the intensification of mining are the Fulani, Malinke and Sousou. Islam is the majority activities, after a period of deceleration since 201613. religion, with an estimated 85% of the population Muslim Although it represents the second largest contribution to and around 8% Christian1. Animism2 and other traditional GDP, after the tertiary sector14 (46%15 of GDP), the mining religious practices are still observed to a limited extent3 sector nevertheless creates few jobs. by around 7% of the population. The agricultural sector accounts for the majority of By 2023, Guinea’s population is expected to reach 14.2 employment in Guinea (52.2%)16, mainly in rural areas, million4, with a demographic growth rate of around 2.4% although its contribution to GDP is relatively modest (10% per year5. With a fertility rate of 4.5 children per woman and in 2015). However, this sector has significant potential to an average life expectancy at birth of 58 years6, Guinea’s contribute to poverty reduction. population is young. Indeed, 60% of the population was under 24 years of age in 2017, and 33% of the population Guinea’s capacity for adaptation and resilience to is between 10 and 24 years of age in 20237. While a slight climate change is low, ranking 115th in 2021 according slowdown in demographic growth has been noted since to the Global Climate Risk Index. Agropastoral and 2017 due to a drop in fertility, it should be emphasized fishing activities, which employ 66% of the working that the Guinean population will continue to grow all the population, are vulnerable to climatic variations. Despite same, due to the age structure and inertia of demographic its substantial water resources, the country, also known phenomena. As a result, the working-age population as the «water tower of the region» due to its extensive is set to grow considerably over the coming decades. hydrographic network spread over 23 river basins, is According to a study8 on constraints and opportunities for subject to the spatial and temporal variability of annual productive inclusion in Guinea published in 2020 by the rainfall17 . Guinea’s economy therefore remains relatively World Bank, based in part on the latest population census undiversified and vulnerable to exogenous shocks. data from 20149, the rate of economic growth would not In addition, analysis of the various socio-economic be sufficient to create enough jobs, and improve their indicators illustrates the considerable vulnerability of quality, to absorb the expanding working population. certain segments of the population. In 2020, Guinea’s Although the country has many natural assets – shared Human Development Index (HDI) stood at 0.477, placing borders with 6 countries, hydrological and agricultural the country at 178th out of 189 countries. Almost half of potential, a coastline of over 300 kilometers and the Guineans (43.7%) lived below the national poverty line18 1 Muslims are in the majority in the country’s 4 main regions. Christians are most numerous in Conakry, the major cities, the south, and eastern Forest Guinea. 2 Animism is not a religion in the true sense of the word, but is much more than a belief. It is a way of conceiving the relationship between oneself and the Other and the world, based on resources universally present in human beings. 3 Mainly in Forest Guinea and slightly in Upper Guinea. 4 According to United Nations Population Fund estimates for 2023. 5 According to the latest World Bank data for 2021. 6 Data from the United Nations Population Fund: average life expectancy 61 years for women, 58 for men. 7 According to United Nations Population Fund estimates for 2023. 8 Brunelin, S., Kroll, G, Zambra Taibo, C. (2020) «Constraints and Opportunities for productive Inclusion in Guinea». World Bank. 9 The fourth General Census of Population and Housing is planned (RGHP-4), but the data currently available is that from the 2014 RGHP-3. 10 According to 2022 data from the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. 11 Bauxite, gold and diamonds account for an average 85% of the country’s exports. Energy is also a strategic sector, both in terms of current investments and for its knock-on effects on other activities. 12 According to the Guinean Ministry of Economy and Finance. 13 The GDP growth rate fell from 10.8% in 2016 to 3.9% in 2021, according to World Bank data. 14 The tertiary sector in Guinea is driven by trade, transport, telecommunications, real estate, and business services. 15 According to 2022 data from the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. 16 Data from the third (and last) General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-3) of 2014. 17 According to African Development Bank Group data for 2022. 18 According to 2018 World Bank data and the Harmonized Survey of Household Living Conditions (l’EHCVM-2018/2019). That is, income < 5,006,533 GNF/year. 6 in 2018, with a higher incidence of poverty in rural areas. making power results in a lower quality of life, less access to healthcare, and lower incomes. These practices have Part of this observed vulnerability can be explained by the implications for women’s productive inclusion, which is structure of productive employment in Guinea: lower than that of men, and for the vulnerability of women’s • Although the majority of the population is active, jobs, and, by extension, of the national economy. jobs are mostly vulnerable and informal19, and labor Indeed, although women’s participation in the labor productivity is low20, as is the level of education21. market in Guinea is relatively high, given that a large • Self-employment predominates, with an estimated number of women work on family farms/enterprises, many rate of 74.3%22 in 2019. The proportion of self- inequalities remain in terms of access to employment. For employed women is higher than that of men, example, the labor force participation rate was 55.9% respectively 71.6% for women and 67.3% for men. The for women, compared with 75.8% for men in 2018. This proportion of self-employed individuals is higher in inequality is reflected in the employment rate for women, rural areas. which stood at 54.5%, compared with 74.3% for men. • Jobs are concentrated in the agricultural sector, Thus, women’s overall participation in the labor market which suffers from a lack of infrastructure and other in Guinea is significantly lower (56.3%) than that of men constraints that limit productivity. (76.1%)26. Populations face multiple constraints that hinder the Women are increasingly over-represented in vulnerable efficient development of their activities or the initiation and precarious jobs (self-employment, family work, of new, more productive and profitable activities. These informal). Thus, according to the 2018 EVHCM, 62% constraints vary according to the area of residence, of women were classified in the self-employed socio- but also according to the characteristics of the target professional category and 97.6% of women were in population groups (e.g. young people, women). informal employment. The Ebola epidemic (2013-2015) and the COVID-19 It has been shown that reducing gender gaps in education, pandemic (2020-2021) have had a significant impact on health and economic participation in the country could increasing extreme poverty and exacerbating inequalities have significant positive effects for its economy. Thus, low within the country. “In addition, the recent Ebola and labor productivity represents a challenge for poverty COVID-19 crises have probably had a disproportionate reduction, economic growth and social stability27 . effect on women. Poverty increased as a result of Ebola in 2014-2015. While the recent economic acceleration experienced by the country may have partly helped to 1.2. Social safety nets and productive reverse this trend, the more recent impact of the COVID-19 inclusion pandemic on economic activity and the projected halt in Implementation of cash transfer programs has been economic growth may have led to a 4 percentage point spreading around the world for over 20 years, and increase in the poverty rate in 2020“ (World Bank 2021)23. their positive effects on the well-being and productive investments of households living in poverty or food Moreover, Guinea is one of the most unequal countries insecurity have already been amply documented. in the world in terms of gender24. Women face numerous Nevertheless, people living in extreme poverty face gender-specific constraints in the family, socio-cultural, multiple constraints. and economic spheres. Indeed, customary and religious practices (e.g. child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), polygamy), and investments in the human endowments of girls and women25 which are limited compared to those of boys and men, are drivers of gender inequality in Guinean. Women’s limited decision- 19 With an estimated 41.5% of GDP and 96% of jobs in 2019. 20 Elgazaar, Heba, Dieng, Assane, Batana, Yele, Bourouno, Faya François, Adjovi, Epiphanie (2019). “Policy brief: Youth employment, productivity and inclusion“. World Bank technical assistance on youth, informality and employment productivity in Guinea. World Bank. 21 Education levels are low for both women and men in Guinea: 74.3% of women and 55.8% of men aged 15 and over have no education at all. Both rates are significantlyhigher in rural than in urban areas (87.9% of women and 71.6% of men aged 15 and over). 22 Share of vulnerable jobs in total employment, i.e. the share of self-employed workers and family workers. 23 Information taken from the report «Unleashing the potential of women and girls in Guinea», World Bank, 2022 (p.10). 24 See Note 25 (p.8) 25 Including education and health. 26 According to data from the Harmonized Survey of Household Living Conditions (l’EHCVM-2018/2019). 27 Bossuroy, Thomas, Koussouba, Estelle, Premand, Patrick. “Constraints to productive employment for beneficiaries of social safety nets in the Sahel“. Sahel Adaptative Social Protection Program, World Bank. 7 “Poor and vulnerable populations face multiple Cash “Plus“ programs, which supplement cash transfers obstacles when they fall into «poverty traps“, with savings support, training, and other assistance, which require a multidimensional response. have been set up to amplify the productive impact of In strengthening economic inclusion for the social safety nets and encourage a sustainable exit from benefit of the most disadvantaged, it is important extreme poverty29. to identify the “poverty traps“ and to understand that unleashing the productive potential of To improve the resilience of households benefiting from people living in poverty involves removing social safety nets, the World Bank and the governments of multiple obstacles through a multidimensional several Sahel countries have set up productive inclusion response. In practice, it is specific population programs aimed at facilitating the development of income- groups such as women, young people, people generating activities. These programs have reached over with disabilities and displaced people, who 50,000 beneficiaries in five countries (Burkina Faso, are likely to suffer most from the difficulties encountered by households and communities, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Chad), and have been in the local economy and at the level of the the subject of impact and process evaluations in recent institutional framework28.“ years. These productive measures, implemented through adaptive social safety net systems, have proved highly cost-effective30. Integrating these programs into social safety nets (thanks to their complementarities) therefore makes it possible to contain costs and achieve more significant results. It is now widely accepted that building on existing social “Productive measures have had substantial protection systems, and in particular the cash transfer impacts on economic indicators such as programs of social safety net projects, to address the consumption, food security, investment, savings many constraints identified, would help improve labor or income from women’s income-generating productivity and thus reduce poverty. There is growing activities. Productive measures have helped evidence that integrated interventions (pooling existing households diversify their economic activities, tools and resources) that provide the most vulnerable and increased investment in non-agricultural activities has led to strong income growth. with a range of services in addition to cash transfers can Diversifying their activities away from agriculture generate sustainable improvements in income and well- has also helped women strengthen their being. resilience to climate shocks, as non-agricultural income is generally less exposed to climate In fact, cash transfers that are designed to meet basic risks. needs (food, but also health and education) and support consumption to enable investments in productive Economic impacts are often far-reaching, and productive measures are therefore highly activities, combined with productive inclusion programs (a cost-effective. For example, in Niger and diversified set of interventions) tend to offer better results Senegal, productive inclusion programs are than single-facet programs. These diversified packages already having an impact on consumption that can simultaneously address the multiple constraints exceeds costs 18 months after the end of the faced by vulnerable groups. They involve a package of productive program. Impacts on beneficiaries’ measures (in different combinations depending on the consumption are at least 1.2 to 2.1 times greater than the cost of the program, demonstrating a country) that include awareness-raising, training, support, strong return on investment31 .“ encouragement of savings and credit, and productive transfers. 28 Andrews, Colin, de Montesquiou, Aude, Arévalo Sànchez, Ines, Vasudeva Dutta, Puja, Varghese Paul, Boban, Samaranayake, Sadna, Heise, Janet, Clay, Timothy, Chaudhary, Sarang. (2021) “Economic Inclusion Report 2021: The potential of scale“. (p.1). World Bank 29 Bossuroy, Thomas, Goldstein, Makrus, Karlan, Dean, Kazianga, Harounan, Pariente, William, Premand, Patrick, Thomas, Catherine, Udry, Christopher, Vaillant, Julia, Wright, Kelsey. “Impact of productive inclusion measures in adaptive social safety nets in Niger“. 30 According to data from the World Bank’s multi-country evaluation (ASP- Sahel - 2019-2022). The cost of the program is much lower ($250-$575 per beneficiary) than the average cost of “graduation“ programs implemented by NGOs (often in excess of $1,000 per beneficiary). https://www.banquemondiale.org/fr/programs/sahel- adaptive-social-protection-program-trust-fund/thematic-areas/productive-inclusion. 31 Ibid. 8 accompanying measures. This sub-component will finance (a) regular cash transfers targeting 136,000 1.3. Background of the study poor households, as well as (b) accompanying The World Bank-funded Emergency Response and Nafa measures encouraging behaviors and investments Program Support Project (ERNPSP) was approved in May essential to human capital development. A very 2020. The development objectives of the US$70 million light package33 of productive measures, should be project were to develop the building blocks of a national delivered to the 136,000 beneficiary households. shock-responsive social protection system and increase ⊲ Sub-component 2.2: This sub-component would access to shock-responsive social safety nets for poor and finance the design and implementation of a new vulnerable households. The Agence Nationale d’Inclusion productive inclusion program targeting around 15,000 Économique et Sociale (ANIES), under the supervision of households. A comprehensive package drawing the Presidency, is the agency in charge of implementing on regional pilot experiences would be targeted at the project. households in sectors vulnerable to climate change, The project comprises five components: (1) Emergency such as agriculture. It would help to increase their cash transfers; (2) Support for unconditional cash transfers productivity and/or diversify their livelihoods. and accompanying measures for the Nafa program; (3) Gender is a key consideration in the development of all Consolidation of social protection implementation systems Nafa Project activities, including the productive inclusion and poverty data; (4) Project management, monitoring program. Indeed, given the strong inequalities existing and evaluation; and (5) Contingency emergency response in many areas between men and women in Guinea, component. these packages of measures will aim to alleviate the The project finances the implementation of an adaptive constraints to women’s productive inclusion. Women are social safety net system to meet immediate needs in the more affected by the lack of economic opportunities and event of external shocks, and to support longer-term access to financial instruments, and are therefore more poverty reduction and resilience through productivity vulnerable to shocks than men, particularly in rural areas. enhancement and human capital development for poor Taking the gender criterion into account in the targeting of households. activities will increase the overall impact of the program’s An Additional Financing (AF) of US$80 million to the results. ERNPSP was approved by the World Bank in April 2023. Thanks to the AF and the restructuring of the project, the ERNPSP will expand the coverage of emergency 1.4. Objectives of the study cash transfers in response to growing food insecurity in The present study was therefore designed to provide Guinea, with the parallel objective of further developing a operational guidance to the design of activities of shock-responsive social safety net system. component 2.2 of the project. Its aim is to identify key constraints and, above all, opportunities for the productive The AF will also increase the scope and coverage of inclusion of women in the four natural regions of Guinea activities under Component 2 (Support for unconditional covered by the project, as well as in Conakry. The cash transfers and accompanying measures under the results of this study are intended to provide contextual Nafa program), which focus on regular cash transfers and elements to inform the Nafa Project as a whole, and accompanying measures for human capital development. more specifically to suggest the optimum content and The ERNPSP, or Nafa Project32, will also finance new inform the design of a package of productive inclusion complementary activities under Component 2, namely a measures for its beneficiaries, with a focus on women. productive inclusion program. In this context, Component 2 To achieve this, the contextual particularities and social has been reorganized as follows: and economic conditions of each intervention zone were ⊲ Sub-component 2.1: Unconditional cash transfers and taken into account. 32 Throughout the report, the “project” refers to the original and additional financing of the ERNPSP combined. The report uses the terms “project” and “Nafa Project” interchangeably. 33 Including, at the very least, simplified training in psycho-social skills and micro-entrepreneurship. 9 More specifically, this qualitative study aims to: ⊲ Identify key opportunities and constraints to women’s social and economic inclusion, including access to social services, economic opportunities, livelihoods, land and other productive resources. ⊲ Help to understand how the gender dimension plays a role in perceptions and experiences, as well as in opportunities and constraints. ⊲ Formulate recommendations for the design and adaptation of a package of productive inclusion measures34 aimed at women. 34 Measures to improve the productivity and/or diversification of beneficiary households’ livelihoods 10 2. METHODOLOGY AND CONDUCT OF THE STUDY It is important to note that the team carried out the study within a very short timeframe. In fact, activities took place over a total of 9 weeks35 to carry out all the key stages, i.e. recruitment of the team of interviewers, technical and logistical preparation, document review, design of data collection guides and tools, training of interviewers, data collection at the central level and in the field, data processing and analysis, and drafting of this report. 2.1. Sampling Data collection was carried out in Guinea’s four natural The selection criteria for the areas covered by the regions, as well as in its capital and largest city, Conakry. qualitative field survey were: Indeed, these four regions represent distinct socio-cultural ⊲ The total number of potential beneficiaries to be groupings and reveal diverse economic opportunities and registered by the Nafa Project; realities. In addition, it was essential to take into account ⊲ A household poverty index (data from the Proxy- some of the specificities of the urban environment, means Test (PMT), a poverty index at household level); given the interventions underway and planned as part of the Nafa Project. In each region and in Conakry, the ⊲ Economic and production potential identified by prefectures and communes to be surveyed were selected ANIES; in consultation between the World Bank team and ANIES. ⊲ Taking into account a ratio in terms of distances, This choice was made on the basis of the Nafa Project’s the limited time available for the field phase, an intervention zones, with the aim of surveying a diversified appropriate and equitable distribution of interviewers sample that would help to identify specificities according by zone, and cost optimization. to zones, where applicable. In order to clarify the terminology relating to the territorial and administrative division of Guinea, the latter is The combination of these criteria resulted in the summarized in the graph below: selection of the prefectures and municipalities of: ⊲ Kindia and Conakry for the Maritime Guinea region. ⊲ Kouroussa for the Upper Guinea region. ⊲ Mamou for the Middle Guinea region. ⊲ Beyla for the Forest Guinea region. Graph 1 - Administrative subdivisions of Guinea 8 33 prefectures 4 natural administrative 5 urban 323 sub- Districts / regions prefectures quarters Sectors regions communes 35 Running from April 25 to May 2, 2023. 11 Graph 2 - Map of prefectures and sub-prefectures surveyed Within each of these prefectures, the research team considered to be representative of the region, given the decided to survey 2 sub-prefectures and 1 district per limitations of data availability and the data gaps (gaps in sub-prefecture. In Conakry, 2 communes (Kaloum and the statistical system) at regional and prefectural levels. In Matam) and 1 district per commune were chosen for the this process, the ANIES team’s knowledge of the socio- field survey. economic, cultural, and geographical contexts involved was once again essential. The sub-prefectures and districts were selected with the support of staff from the Financial Inclusion Direction36 of During the field study, a total of 20 Focus Groups (FGs) ANIES, on the basis of the same criteria outlined above. were conducted, along with 43 individual interviews; The choice of these districts and neighborhoods took into details of the final sample, both planned and actual, are account, to the extent possible, the specific characteristics presented below. 36 These include the Director of Financial Inclusion (DIF), the Money Transfer expert and the Community Support Managers (RAC). 12 Table 1 Complete final sample 37 No. of No. of Sub-prefectures Neighborhoods/ Focus individual Regions Prefectures Manager / Communes districts Groups38 interviews (FG) (IE) P* E** P E Central level NA 8 17 Line Le Teuff Coronthie center Thomas Lamah Conakry Kaloum 2 2 2 2 1 Kemo Conakry Matam Bonfi road 2 2 2 2 Guinea Zoumanigui Maritime Kindia center Kindia center 0 0 0 1 Linsan Linsan center 1 2 2 2 2 Kindia Thomas Lamah Friguiagbé Friguiagbé 2 2 2 2 center 1 Upper Cissela Center 1 2 2 2 2 Kemo Kouroussa Guinea Koumana Koumana 1 2 2 2 2 Zoumanigui Madina telico 0 0 0 1 Mamou center Average Almamiya 0 0 0 2 Penda Oury Mamou Guinea Porédaka Poredaka center 2 2 2 3 Barry Dounet Dounet center 2 2 2 3 Beyla center 0 0 0 2 Beyla center Kemebourama 0 0 2 1 Guinea Gamey Beyla Kissibou 0 0 2 1 Forestière Zogbelemou Gbessoba Tanantou 2 2 0 0 Sinko Sabouya 2 2 0 0 Totals 20 20 28 43 *P: Forecast -** E: Number of employees The following categories of stakeholders were interviewed: The combination of criteria used to select the survey areas made it possible to take into account the contextual ⊲ Central resource persons: ANIES team, ministerial particularities of each region, with a view to adapting departments and development partners involved in the various measures as closely as possible to the productive inclusion issues at the national level. realities of potential beneficiaries. Data collection in the ⊲ Decentralized State services and territorial and city of Conakry was aimed at adapting the package to administrative authorities the realities and opportunities for women’s productive inclusion in an urban environment. ⊲ Community leaders and resource persons The distribution of interviewers was based on their ⊲ Women pre-identified as eligible for the Nafa knowledge of socio-economic and cultural contexts, Project’s Regular Cash Transfers (RCT), with a their respective spoken languages, their experience of focus on those who are active or recognized as working in the areas concerned and their usual place leaders in their community. A total of 113 women were of residence. Thus, given the limitations of time and interviewed as part of the FGs, and a further nine as coverage of the study, and the distances in Guinea, it is part of the individual interviews (IEs)39 (three women understood that, although the sample was designed to be interviewed as part of the IEs were also part of the as representative as possible, the study does not claim to FGs), making a total of 122 women. 76% were aged 35 be exhaustive. or over. 83% of the women had four or more children, 37 Sample as initially planned in the technical protocol and actually carried out during the survey phase. 38 See Section 2.2.2. 13 75% had five or more children, and 48% had seven capitalization matrices, participated in interviews at or more children. The vast majority of women were central level, was responsible for data processing Muslim, married under polygamous arrangements, and supporting the analysis and writing of the report. and 16% were widows. ⊲ Four national researchers40 were responsible for ⊲ Economic players and influential leaders: economic helping to map out the stakeholders to be met, groups of women, young people, potential and non- establishing their field schedules, carrying out beneficiaries of the Nafa Project, livelihood programs, fieldwork in their respective zones, transcribing and informed players in promising economic sectors. and capitalizing on the data collected in the matrix provided for this purpose, and producing technical field notes. The references of the resource persons interviewed are ⊲ The research team benefited from significant and provided in Appendix 1. ongoing support, without which the timely completion Exchanges with this panel of interlocutors (see Appendix 1. of this study would not have been possible, from the Data collection schedule) enabled us to obtain a wide TTL in charge and the team at the World Bank office range of information and viewpoints on living conditions in Conakry. in rural areas and in the districts of Conakry. In particular, The research team also worked in close collaboration with we were able to learn about regional specificities, socio- the ANIES Nafa Project team, namely its Coordinator, the cultural and economic habits, as well as economic Financial Inclusion Division team, under the responsibility opportunities and growth sectors in each area. of its Director, with the essential support of the Cash More interviews were carried out than originally planned Transfer Expert and the Community Support Managers (see Table 1), particularly at the central level and in the (CSMs), supported by the Community Assistants (CAs) of prefecture capitals, due to the richness and interest of the the areas concerned by the study. many exchanges. 2.2.2 Data collection and management 2.2 Organization of data collection and A document review based on existing ANIES reference management documents, the socio-economic situation and The study was carried out between March and May 2023, administrative and cultural data on Guinea’s four natural and the field survey phase took place from April 25 to regions, as well as interviews with key players, were May 5, 2023. carried out at the start of the mission to frame the study. This document review was supplemented by interviews41. 2.2.1 Team composition and responsibilities This field study used qualitative methods to achieve its objectives. Thus, the brief documentary study (see The research team consisted of six people: Appendix 2. Bibliography) was supplemented by ⊲ The World Bank’s international consultant, a interviews with the various players mentioned above (see specialist in social protection, in charge of the Appendix 1. Data collection schedule), chosen according study, responsible for recruitment of interviewers, to their relevance. These interviews were based on semi- development of the methodology and data structured interview guides and Focus Group (FG) guides. collection tools, orientation, training, coordination Each guide was adapted to the type of interviewee in and supervision of the national research team and order to maximize the efficiencý and relevance of the data the research assistant, administrative and logistical collection. All of these tools are presented as separate coordination, interviews at central level, analysis of deliverables42. data and results, drafting and validation of the report, We used several qualitative methods to achieve the as well as preparation of presentation materials. objectives of the study: ⊲ An international consultant - Research Assistant, ⊲ Focus groups (FG) in neighborhoods and districts, who supported the development of collection lasting an average of 2 hours. Focus groups (FG) tools, interviewer training materials, designed data are an ethnographic technique used to gain an in- 39 12 IRs were carried out on women pre-identified as eligible for TMR, three of whom were identified during the FG. 40 The number of interviewers made available is justified by the short time available to carry out this study. 41 See bibliography in Appendix 1. Data collection schedule 42 Other deliverables, specifically the Data collection guides and tools; Training support for interviewers; and regional data matrices are available as separate files. The documents are only available in French. 14 depth understanding of social and/or economic Conakry, particularly the Community Support Managers issues. The method aimed to obtain data from a (CSMs). The ANIES CSMs also made themselves available group of people selected for particular reasons to support the organization of the data collection in or characteristics. Members of the group could advance, and did everything necessary to ensure that the represent a homogeneous category or, by contrast, field data collection phase took place according to the several categories with an interest in the meeting. announced methodology, and as closely as possible to The number of participants per FG was between schedule. 8 and 12, which corresponds to the ideal number The information collected was first organized in an Excel for opinions to have a chance of being heard. The matrix44 according to pre-defined headings. interviewers ensured that these meetings took place in good conditions (space, facilities, refreshments). Two types of files were used for data entry: ⊲ Semi-structured qualitative individual interviews ⊲ An Excel matrix for each type of interview guide/actor with key informants at various levels (Conakry, interviewed and according to pre-defined headings chief towns of the prefectures and sub-prefectures for semi-structured individual interviews and focus concerned, and neighborhoods/districts). The semi- groups. Word documents for unstructured individual structured individual qualitative interviews consisted interview and observation reports, and for additional of open-ended questions and probes, on a set of information notes. themes discussed between the interviewer and the Once the data had been collected in the field, it was respondent. These interviews provided an in-depth translated into French and transcribed at the end of each understanding of contextual particularities or specific day, following the pre-established completion matrix. situations. This type of interview was conducted In addition, technical memos were drafted by the with individuals with significant experience or researchers on the differences and salient features specific knowledge, suggested by ANIES community encountered according to the sub-prefectures, regions assistants, based on the categories of actors and zones, and the socio-cultural and economic presented above. Three women met during the particularities of the populations. A few photos were also FGs were also interviewed individually. These were shared to illustrate certain findings or aspects in particular. identified on the basis of their actual participation, The data was then processed thematically, to summarize and their willingness and availability to participate, the main findings and issues of interest. when they appeared particularly informed and «informative». The data analysis was based on a study of the themes and sub-themes identified when filling in the questionnaires. ⊲ Unstructured, qualitative individual interviews with Responses were grouped to look for homogeneity or resource persons and stakeholders at central level. discrepancies between respondents and within the Unstructured interviews do not use fixed questions; various themes, as the analysis progressed, following an instead, the interviewer asks open-ended questions approach based on regional specificities. based on a specific research topic, and endeavors to let the interview unfold as a natural conversation. This Particular attention was paid to characteristics of interest type of interview contained very general questions to as they emerged. Responses, by type of stakeholder and initiate a free and spontaneous discussion. In-depth by natural region of Guinea, on common themes, enabled questions and probes were used to gather more triangulation of results to validate information by referring detailed information on certain topics or technical to several sources. Attention was also paid to the analysis aspects, and to explore specific, unanticipated of response type frequencies, in order to favor consensual themes. These interviews were particularly useful for responses over anecdotal ones (although sometimes gaining a better understanding of the Nafa Project reported) when writing the report. and ANIES’ expectations, as well as for exploring avenues of innovation and potential programmatic articulations. Following training at43 the central level, the interviewers tested the data collection tools with the ANIES staff in 43 Please refer to the interviewer training guide in Additional Deliverable 2. 44 Please refer to the regional data matrices in Additional Deliverable N°3. 15 2.3 Ethical considerations in the local language. All those approached were given the right to refuse to take part in the study. The The following key ethical principles were observed during investigator explained the consent form, which was the data collection phase: signed by the respondents. A copy was given to them ⊲ The surveyors, supported by ANIES CSMs, began and another was kept by the interviewer. their activities by informing each local and regional ⊲ Anonymity was respected by creating anonymization authority, as well as representatives of the communities codes. concerned. In each district, the surveyor presented the objectives and procedures of the survey to the ⊲ Interviewers were trained to maintain confidentiality authorities, and requested their authorization to carry during interviews and not to share any information out the survey. with anyone other than the World Bank research team. ⊲ Voluntary and informed participation by explaining the purpose and procedures of the study to all participants 16 17 3. RESULTS 3.1. Major constraints to women's it involves waiting (Kindia, Conakry) at boreholes and productive inclusion wells, given the scarcity of these infrastructures, and long journeys (Kouroussa). The constraints to women's productive inclusion in Guinea have already been extensively documented by several In some sub-prefectures, the cost of water was also cited studies carried out in the past45. The present (shorter) as a constraining factor in daily and economic life, as in study follows on from these, and sets out, more specifically, Mamou for example. In the Mamou, Kouroussa and Beyla the obstacles to productivity encountered by women in prefectures, water was cited as a major obstacle to the the prefectures of Beyla, Kindia, Kouroussa, Mamou and development of income-generating activities (IGAs), Conakry, and in the sub-prefectures and districts visited. particularly vegetable gardening and, to a lesser extent, The main results can be put into perspective with those agriculture, due to its scarcity in the dry season. of the above-mentioned studies, in that they are easily In addition to the problem of water supply, there is also the comparable. problem of fuel supply. With women also in charge of its It's important to re-emphasize the major constraints collection, wood was widely cited, except in Conakry47, as identified as explanatory factors in the productive the main fuel source used, well beyond charcoal. Buying exclusion of women. it (in Kindia) or collecting it from the bush (in Mamou, Beyla and Kouroussa) represents a constraint in terms of means The presentation of these major obstacles facing the or time for the women. female population concerned, combined with the analysis of socio-economic opportunities (see Section 3.2) will Also, most of the districts surveyed are not electrified, enable us to make recommendations for the future with the exception of Conakry's neighborhoods, or productive inclusion program. These recommendations electrification is inconsistent48. Although some women are intended to inform the design of the future intervention claim to have solar panels, the absence of electricity aimed at improving the productivity and resilience of creates multiple constraints, in terms of conservation, social safety net households through component 2 of the access to technology, communication, and access to Nafa Project. information. In response to the key issues identified, a set of combined interventions (see Section 4.1) aimed at improving 3.1.1.2. Access to telecommunications the human capital, productivity and diversification of With the exception of Conakry, the vast majority of economic activities of future recipients of Nafa Project women do not watch television, due to a lack of funds cash transfers will be suggested. and electricity. Radio use, although widespread in all the areas visited, is impossible in Porédaka and Linsan, for 3.1.1. Access to basic infrastructure example, due to the lack of electricity for recharging radio phones, and the lack of money to buy batteries, as well 3.1.1.1. Access to water, fuel and electricity as by default available radio frequencies. There are other In all the areas surveyed, the task of supplying water falls cases of women who do not own radios (Kouroussa) and mainly to women, and in some cases to their children, therefore have no access to media information. or to young people with motorcycle cabs (paid service). Although 70% of the women surveyed (out of 113 For most of the women interviewed, even in Conakry's interviewed) claimed to have cell phones, it was found that urban communes, the task of supplying water is a time- these were basic phones and that very few women in rural consuming one. Indeed46, it is time-consuming because 45 Brunelin, S., Kroll, G, Zambra Taibo, C. (2020) “Constraints and Opportunities for productive Inclusion in Guinea“. World Bank; and “Unleashing the potential of women and girls in Guinea“, World Bank, 2022. 46 In Kindia and Conakry, the scarcity of infrastructure (boreholes) means waiting times of over two hours. In Beyla, the wait is estimated at half a day. 47 In Conakry, women use charcoal. 48 In Kindia, the two sub-prefectures surveyed were electrified. At the time of the study, the Linsan sub-prefecture had been experiencing a power cut for one month. 18 areas had smartphones49 (because of the high purchase 3.1.2.1. Access to basic social services price), and, as a result, access to the Internet50 (unlike 76% of the women surveyed were aged 35 or over. Some Conakry where their possession is more widespread). 45% of the women surveyed by the FG had attended The cost of an Internet Pass (internet packages) is one of school, but had not gone beyond primary level (15% had the other factors justifying its low penetration rate in rural lower secondary level, two had baccalaureate level), and areas, specifically in the surveyed districts. These factors only 32% were literate. Women's education rates are must be compared with the quality of Internet coverage low51, particularly in rural areas52. Between 2012 and 2018, in these same areas, as well. Thus, of the 113 women primary school enrolment rates rose from 55.5% to 62.0% surveyed in the FGs of the five prefectures visited, only among girls, and in 2018, only 22.0% of girls (and 32.2% around 20% used a smartphone, generally belonging to of boys) attended secondary school53. The data collected their husbands or another member of their household. seems in line with recent national data, as Guinea has one While in Conakry, Kindia and Mamou, all women claimed of the lowest female literacy rates (27.7%54) in sub-Saharan to own a personal phone (only one woman claimed to use Africa. Not only do girls have less access to education, her husband's smartphone in Conakry), in Kouroussa and they are also more likely to drop out for a variety of reasons Beyla, several women did not have one and only used (e.g. domestic work, early marriage, and pregnancy). those of family members. While most of the women noted that their children are in Also, although the network was relatively good in most of school, some of them claim that they play a productive the districts surveyed, major disruptions were noted in the role in the household after school. In the Beyla prefecture, Gbessoba sub-prefecture. Some villages in the Beyla area many cases of unschooled children supporting their (Sinko and villages outside the survey) were not covered parents in their farming activities were noted, highlighting by a cell phone network at the time of the survey. the problem of child labor, which is widespread in Guinea. In some places, poor access to the network means that Women's low level of education has a negative impact people have to move to relay antennas, or to higher on their productive inclusion, which partly explains why ground, in order to receive messages. This obstacle they are over-represented in vulnerable employment needs to be taken into account when implementing the and unpaid family labor. In Beyla, for example, women Nafa Project in the interior of the country (rural areas). In sometimes provide free labor for their husbands, and are Conakry, cases of non-receipt of messages announcing in charge of supporting them in their IGAs in Kouroussa cash transfers have been noted due to the poor network (e.g. taking out and milking cattle). in certain places. Indeed, the poor network can have a negative impact on the effective implementation of cash In all the areas surveyed, access to healthcare is poor. transfers, but also on the exchange of market information. Although most of the districts and neighborhoods Other difficulties were encountered when receiving surveyed have a health center55, the women surveyed money transfers, such as forgetting or losing the PIN claim not to use them. Reasons cited include high cost, code, losing the SIM card, account blocking, or illiteracy. lack of resources and equipment at the facilities, and the quality of reception. The majority of women surveyed resort to traditional medicine, and to buying medicines in 3.1.2. The weight of socio-cultural norms the street, as is the case in Kindia. This should be seen in the context of the high rate of children per woman and Women's poor access to education and healthcare, the low rate of deliveries in specialized facilities, as well particularly in rural areas, is largely due to the structure of as infant mortality. Difficulties related to childbirth and the patriarchal system in Guinea. The implications of the post-partum care affect women's productive capacity. low rate of access to basic social services are numerous, Childhood illness also represents an additional expense and have a major impact on the socio-economic situation for households. The food insecurity widely mentioned by of Guinean women. women56 (especially during the lean season, and due to poor yields), particularly in rural areas, can be seen as one 49 In Sinko (Forest Guinea), for example, it is mainly young people who use smartphones. 50 35% of the population used the internet in 2021. 51 Gaps in health and education translate into substantial disparities in access to economic opportunities. Not only are women less likely to participate in the labor market than men, but when they do, they are disproportionately engaged in low-quality, low-productivity, informal work, which ultimately translates into lower lifetime earnings, and increased risks of falling into or remaining in poverty. 52 In Conakry, over 55% of FG women had primary school education. 53 Information taken from the report «Unleashing the potential of women and girls in Guinea», World Bank, 2022 (p.2). 54 According to data from the Harmonized Survey of Household Living Conditions (l’EHCVM-2018/2019), p167. 55 Only one sub-prefecture (Cissela in Kouroussa) had no health center, the nearest being 4 km away. 56 Almost all the women said they were unable to provide their households with three meals a day. In Dounet, some women claim not to eat for several days during the lean season. 19 of the factors explaining the health situation in Guinea. the woman must justify expenses and obtain her spouse’s authorization for her choices. In Beyla, part of a woman's It appears that meeting basic household needs is difficult in income or assets must be handed over to her husband. most of the sub-prefectures surveyed, particularly in rural The pressure to meet household needs was widely areas, due in part to poor access to basic social services expressed by women in all the areas surveyed. The lack and infrastructure. These constraints weigh particularly of financial support from husbands thus appears to be a heavily on women. Indeed, access to basic social services major constraint to the satisfaction of basic household is largely affected by existing socio-cultural norms. needs and the development of economic activities, when it is insufficient (cited in Mamou, Kindia and Conakry). 3.1.2.2. Women's roles and responsibilities Polygamous marital relationships account for 29.8% of The constraints on women's access to basic social services Guinean households, while 58.9% are characterized by and business opportunities appear to be intrinsically monogamous marriages60. Polygamy was widespread in linked to their commonly accepted position and roles all surveyed areas61, impacting on the ability of spouses within the household. Indeed, women are largely subject to contribute to household income. This difficulty is also to the authority of their husbands, although they have a exacerbated by women's high fertility rates, as confirmed certain amount of leeway when it comes to household by the women surveyed. Indeed, 83% of them have at management (food, children's needs). least four children, 75% have five or more children, and 48% have seven or more children. This number is higher It appears that 77% of women interviewed, in both rural in rural areas (particularly Beyla) than in Conakry, where and urban areas, claim to have to systematically seek their women have an average of four children. Large numbers husband's authorization to undertake an IGA or join a group of people in households were found in all rural prefectures. (Kindia, Mamou center57). Interviews show that women's The women interviewed belonged to households with an empowerment (especially financial empowerment) can be average of 13 people, with disparities between regions associated with or perceived as the weakening of men, (9 people on average in Conakry, 10 in Kouroussa, 21 in which explains the reluctance of some husbands to give Beyla, 18 in Kindia, and 7 in Mamou). their authorization. This reluctance is heightened when a woman joins a mixed58 group (Beyla, Kouroussa), because Conflicts between co-wives are frequent, as testified by a of the jealousy it can engender and for fear of losing a woman interviewed in Beyla: "The conflicts that exist are certain hold59 over them. Displacement for IGA purposes often neighborhood conflicts and conflicts between co- was sometimes cited as a blocking factor to spousal wives.” The first wife often has an established hierarchical authorization in Middle Guinea. A wife's dependence on superiority. She is often chosen as the recipient of cash her husband's authorization decreases as her income and transfers for the Nafa Project62, which can aggravate contribution to household expenses increase. certain conflicts or generate new ones63. It should be pointed out that, under the Nafa project, polygamous An exception is rural Mamou, where women are often households are considered as a single household64, and the heads of household, insofar as they are responsible the head of household has been invited to select an adult for all household expenses and decide how to spend female representative as the future recipient of cash the money, given the men's economic inactivity. In the transfers. other areas surveyed, women's income complements the husband's main contribution (Conakry, Mamou center, The death of a husband also exposes his wife to Kouroussa, Beyla). In Kindia, however, women make a economic vulnerability65. significant contribution to the financial support of their children. 3.1.2.3. Time poverty In some areas of Kouroussa and Beyla, expense The vast majority of women interviewed mentioned management is more the responsibility of the man, thus having an extremely busy daily schedule. Indeed, all 57 There is a difference between rural and urban areas in the Mamou prefecture: in rural areas (Porédaka, Dounet), women are less subject to the authority of their husbands, due to their productive role and central financial contributions to the household (husbands’ inactivity in the dry season). 58 A group is a voluntary organization of people from the same village or neighborhood (e.g., producers, or a savings organization such as a tontine), of an economic and social nature, democratically managed by its members and aimed at the well-being of its members and the village community. 59 This point was strongly emphasized in Beyla, where women are seen as «labor» for their spouses. 60 According to data from the Harmonized Survey of Household Living Conditions (l’EHCVM-2018/2019). 61 In Mamou, for example, one of the women interviewed claimed that polygamy was «a source of wealth and blessing» for the man. 62 It should be remembered that the targeted households chose one of their members, a woman of legal age, to be the recipient of the cash transfers. 63 In Kouroussa, it was noted that there were no exchanges between the different co-wives (and their children). 64 This decision was taken in order to align with the standard household definition used in Guinea by its National Institute of Statistics. 65 All the more so as inactivity is imposed during the widowhood period (this is also the case during maternity). 20 the women testified to being in charge of managing the to the most isolated localities, but represents a high cost household and its members (food, housework, shopping, (more expensive than bush cabs) as well as a high risk of childcare and education, support for the husband, care of accidents. the elderly). This domestic work also includes supplying Trucks and other large vehicles circulate between the water, food from the market, and fuel (see Section 3.1.1.1). districts69, and minibuses, called "Magbana", enable Also, domestic work is accompanied by investment in Conakry women to get around more cheaply. The majority an IGA. All the women interviewed were involved in of women say they travel on foot when the distance one or more IGAs (seasonal or combined) to support (several km) allows70. household expenses. The women's workload is therefore During the rainy season, accessibility to the sub- considerable, leaving them little free time66. Women's prefectures is reduced by deteriorating roads and unavailability is heightened in the rainy season and at flooding. Uncovered markets may also be cancelled harvest time. The rainy season tends to be changeable, during this period. however, and since the Republic of Guinea is one of the countries at risk from climate change, its environmental While the majority of women claim to move between vulnerabilities have repercussions on living conditions sectors and districts for weekly markets or social reasons, and human mobility. some husbands are opposed to inter-district movement, as is the case in Mamou. It would be useful for future research to obtain further information about women's attendance at weekly markets, The isolation of the various sub-prefectures is a major given the amount of time they spend there. constraint to the economic development of these areas. 3.1.3. Markets, accessibility and mobility 3.1.4. Poor access to credit With the exception of the sub-prefectures surveyed in Despite the presence of at least one microfinance Kindia, where markets are daily and easily accessible, institution (MFI) in the prefectures surveyed, the majority food purchases (and/or sales) at weekly markets is a of women claim not to use them. The reasons given very time-consuming activity. Most of the districts and are mainly the high interest rates charged by these neighborhoods surveyed have a market. Only the Cissela institutions, but also, to a lesser extent, the refusal of district (in Kouroussa) does not. husbands (e.g. perception of the interest rate as contrary to religious precepts in Mamou center). What's more, In the Mamou and Beyla prefectures, it takes several these MFIs require guarantees (e.g. a land title) that hours (three hours on average) to get to nearby markets. women are unable to provide, given their difficult access In Conakry, women in Coronthie have to travel almost to land (Mamou), as testified by a prefectural authority we 4km to get to the Niger market, and women in Bonfi met in Mamou center: "There are a lot of microfinance take 3 hours to get to the Matoto and Médina markets. institutions like Crédit rural and Yete Mali in Mamou. To In Kouroussa, the markets are, on average, some 20 access a loan, you need a guarantee. That's why access kilometers from the districts surveyed. is very limited, especially for women". Most women travel by taxi-brousse67 between markets. A sub-prefectural authority we met in Dounet (Mamou) However, this mode of transport is expensive, sometimes confirms this point: "To access a loan, a guarantee is requires reservations (Kouroussa), and is very risky from required, such as a land title or an object of value. Women a safety standpoint. Indeed, a large number of fatal have enormous problems with credit. Some have had accidents were reported in rural areas during the survey. to abandon their homes because they had no money to The main reason for this is the deterioration of roads. repay the loans. Nowadays, very few women take out With the exception of Conakry and Kindia, the various loans with these microfinance institutions.” sub-prefectures surveyed are difficult to access due to Illiteracy was also cited as a factor limiting access to the state of the roads, except those located along or near MFI loans (Mamou). The interest rate, although cited as a national highway. being contrary (Rïba71) to religious precepts, seems to be The main mode of transport between sectors and secondary among the explanatory factors limiting access districts is the moto-taxi68. This makes it possible to get to credit. 66 Women spend an average of 15.4 hours a week on unpaid domestic work, compared with 5.2 hours for men. 67 In Conakry, car-taxis don’t circulate in the neighborhoods surveyed (traffic jams, poor roads). 68 And sometimes tricycles. Motorcycle cabs don’t allow you to load luggage. 69 It should be noted that districts can be very far apart, as in the Beyla sub-prefecture. 70 Between 5 and 10 km, according to the women of Mamou. 71 Arabic masculine name for interest rate and «the act of increasing and making something increase from itself». 21 Women use loans from relatives (repaid in cash or in kind), The handicraft and service sectors suffer from the lack or from informal lenders (Beyla). However, the inability and of training centers in rural areas and difficult access humiliation of not repaying debts (Conakry), as well as the to equipment, both of which hamper their efficient high interest rates charged by informal lenders, reinforce development. The low status of handicrafts in rural areas the difficulty of accessing credit. (reserved for certain family lines/castes) and the lack of diversification in the type of activities (mainly dyeing and Despite the development of networks throughout saponification) also explain the weakness of this sector. the territory, however, some women do not have the necessary means to participate in these groups, as their Petty trade is hampered by the saturation of certain income only enables them to provide for the upkeep of products at certain times of the year (e.g. agricultural and their household. market garden produce), and by storage, preservation and transport difficulties. These limiting factors prevent this sector from developing to its full potential. 3.1.5. Obstacles to IGA development Significant needs for capacity building, financial education The main constraint to the creation or development of and micro-entrepreneurship were repeatedly cited as IGAs, common to all the women interviewed, is the lack of crucial. There is also a marked gendered division of means. This is intrinsically linked to difficulties in accessing labor. Women are generally not involved in construction, production factors (inputs, equipment, veterinary care), mechanics, welding, transport, or fishing. Some women which are either not readily available or expensive noted that they aspire to do so. Cattle breeding is also (Mamou, Kouroussa). Access to factors of production was predominantly male. mentioned as being particularly complex for women. In Conakry, the lack of space dedicated to IGAs (available production areas) stands out as a major obstacle. 3.2. Key opportunities for women’s socio-economic inclusion The second most frequently cited constraint is the Social inclusion is a process aimed at improving the need for capacity building, technical training and micro- conditions under which individuals and groups or entrepreneurship, as well as other types of support members of a population can participate in the life of (e.g. deconcentrated agricultural and livestock services society, particularly in three interconnected areas, namely, present in urban areas but lacking resources). services (e.g. electricity supply, education, etc.), spaces In Kouroussa, Mamou and Beyla, road infrastructure and (e.g. cultural, social, etc.) and markets (e.g. labor). In order access to water were identified as major constraints to to improve or set up the conditions to encourage their the development of agricultural and commercial activities. participation, it is necessary to strengthen their capacities, Environmental obstacles such as drought, rainfall give them greater opportunities, and enable them to live variability, and soil deterioration were cited in Mamou in dignity. Individuals and groups are excluded or included and Kouroussa as having a negative impact on IGA according to their identity72. Some of the identities most development. often cited as the cause of exclusion are, for example, gender, caste, ethnicity, age and disability. Finally, gender-related constraints such as low levels of education and literacy, and men's unwillingness to allow Recent indications from Guinea show that reducing gender their wives to undertake businesses or to come together gaps in education, health and economic participation in in groups, largely hinder women's productive capacity. the country could have significant positive effects for the These limitations apply to all types of IGAs. national economy. Agriculture and vegetable gardening suffer from a lack of water, equipment, and access to land and inputs, and “It is estimated that increasing women's production factors were also cited as having a negative labor productivity by closing the impact on women's productive inclusion. The absence of education gap would result in a 2.3% conservation (cold chain) and storage facilities was also increase in GDP per capita; a reduction noted. in fertility leading to higher capital The lack of modernized animal husbandry practices and accumulation could result in an 8% the difficulty of accessing veterinary care have often increase in GDP per capita over the been cited as obstacles to development. The low level of baseline projection by 203573.“ product processing is also a hindrance. 72 Identity is the main factor in social exclusion. 73 World Bank, 2013. 22 3.2.1. Access to electricity and telecommunications scattered network disruptions in certain areas is alleviated by the communication processes aimed at potential 3.2.1.1. Access to electricity beneficiaries and planned and implemented by ANIES78 . In 2020, 44.7% of the Guinean population lived in an The two main cell phone operators are Orange and electrified area. This overall percentage conceals major Areeba (or MTN) for all the areas surveyed, and to a disparities between urban areas, where 88.1% of the lesser extent Cellcom. The vast majority of women population has access to electricity, and rural areas, surveyed have access to a phone, albeit a basic one where only 19.3% have access74 . rather than a smartphone79. With a view to distributing Indeed, the disparities in terms of electrification between cash transfers via electronic payments80, ANIES is in the urban and rural areas, as well as between the main process of distributing basic cell phones and SIM cards prefectural towns and rural districts visited during the to all future female beneficiaries of the Nafa Project. This study, are glaring. The districts of Conakry and the will ensure complete availability of phones, with a view to main prefectural towns surveyed are electrified, unlike empowerment of project beneficiaries. the sub-prefectures, districts, and sectors of each In the districts studied, the medium most used by women prefecture visited. The only exception encountered were is community radio (messages in local languages). This is the main towns of the sub-prefectures on the national particularly popular in the evenings. road between Linsan and Conakry, in Maritime Guinea. The main urban centers of Middle Guinea and Maritime These various findings will be taken into account when Guinea are also electrified. In Upper Guinea and Forest defining the key organizational parameters of the future Guinea, however, only some of them have electricity, and productive inclusion program (light and full formats) and then only irregularly75 . when designing it. It may be useful to point out that some districts and households in particular have solar electrification systems, Recommendation 1 - Access to electricity and such as those in Porédaka and Dounet in Middle Guinea, telecommunications and Sinko and Gbessoba in Forest Guinea. Flashlights are also widely used. ⊲ Conduct training sessions for staff involved in the implementation of the productive inclusion program, at regional and/or prefecture headquarters. 3.2.1.2. Access to telecommunications ⊲ Plan to rent or purchase appropriate equipment Telecommunications have enjoyed considerable growth (generators) in the absence of electricity in many since the early 2000s, as evidenced by the nationwide areas for the implementation of certain activities/ penetration rate of mobile telephony. measures, and ensure its functionality81 . Cell phone network coverage76 appears to be relatively ⊲ Establish the key messages to be disseminated good in the prefectures and districts surveyed. Some to beneficiaries and communities, their timing, districts in particular, within rural sub-prefectures, still frequency, and mode of transmission, by designing have no network, or poor or disrupted coverage77 . This a communication plan adapted to the local realities. aspect could be specified in detail thanks to the summary ⊲ Formalize in a document the communication analysis of mobile operator coverage available to ANIES. processes already put in place by ANIES in its current The data from this analysis will prove useful. areas of intervention, and systematize them on a It's worth pointing out that people who have no network, national scale. or one of poor quality, are accustomed to moving to get ⊲ Pursue the use of a local communication mechanism closer to a network antenna. Some of them have to travel (Community Assistants for example) already in place miles or climb hills to do so. Moreover, the problem of to compensate for the lack of access to the media in 74 World Bank data, 2020. 75 E.g., Frequent power cuts in central Kuroussa, non-electrified urban center of Dabola and electricity from 6 p.m. in Beyla. 76 According to information from the statistics observatory of the Autorité de régulation des postes et télécommunication, in 2018, the coverage rate in Conakry was 66%; 76% in Kindia, 25% in Mamou; 11% in Beyla (Nzérékoré region) compared with 69% uncovered and 20% covered in places; 26% uncovered, 61% covered and 13% covered in places in Kouroussa (Kankan region). 77 For example, the telephone network in Gbessoba is very disrupted, and some localities in the prefectures of Kouroussa and Kindia still have no network. 78 These include, where necessary, door-to-door visits by Community Assistants or the broadcasting of key messages in local languages by community radio stations. 79 As mentioned, while most of the women interviewed had personal cell phones, several cases of women using family members’ cell phones were reported in Kouroussa, Beyla and Conakry. 80 The Mobile money service is available with Operators MTN and Orange. The number of users with active accounts in June 2018 reached 1,118,000 with 95% of users for Orange and only 5% for MTN. 81 Easily transportable, simple to use by field staff (cf. weight, size, etc.) and in line with the organizational modalities of the activities. 23 certain districts. or NAFA centers. NAFA centers, also known as “second- chance schools“, are not linked to the Nafa project or ⊲ Recruit, as soon as possible, a communications ANIES. They have been under the authority of the Ministry Manager to manage and coordinate internal of Pre-University Education since 2013. By 2021, there communications for the Nafa Project. Ensure that were 92 nationwide. They offer literacy courses as well this person is present from the start of the productive as vocational training. These centers could, for example, inclusion program. represent an opportunity to bridge the very low literacy ⊲ Agree on whether or not to outsource the Nafa rate85 and part of the significant technical and vocational Project’s external communications. training deficit observed in the study areas. ⊲ Assess the need and feasibility of equipping Nafa Project support staff82 with tablets to facilitate the use 3.2.2.2. Autonomy and freedom of digital technology and innovative formats when sharing key messages with beneficiaries. The women surveyed are mostly responsible for managing expenditures for their household, i.e. food, childcare, clothing, etc. 3.2.2. Socio-cultural elements It appears that women’s autonomy of choice increases in 3.2.2.1. Education proportion to their incomes, as well as to the reduction Despite women’s low level of education, almost all in their spouses’ incomes. For example, in the rural those surveyed were able to make simple calculations, areas86 of Mamou, women are the heads87 of household. such as counting money. This is a useful basis for the Although in this sub-prefecture women are generally free future introduction of financial inclusion modules and to choose how to spend household money, this is not the potential training in financial management and micro- most representative social norm. entrepreneurship. This is a necessary starting point for the Most women enjoy a fair degree of freedom of expression, future development and diversification of their economic both within the family and in public. Sharing contradictory activities and the financial management thereof. opinions is also tolerated. However, in the prefectures According to them, most of their children (including girls) of Beyla and Kouroussa, as well as in the Coronthie attend school, except in the Sinko and Gbessoba districts. district of Conakry, this freedom of speech is strongly This is a good practice. Encouraging children and girls in conditioned on their spouse’s authorization. It appears particular to go to school, combined with the transmission that women’s right88 to participate in economic activity is of success stories from their mothers, can help limit the likely to increase according to the degree of economic intergenerational transmission of vulnerability. Also, it has vulnerability of the household. been documented that family foundation patterns largely Gender diversity is generally accepted, widespread define women’s transition from school to the job market and even encouraged in certain contexts. For example, or, more broadly, economic activities, determining their there are many mixed groups due to the gendered opportunities to earn a living and be independent83 . division of tasks89. However, this type of mixing has its The purpose of this study is not, of course, to define what limits, due to the fact that taboo subjects such as sexual the Nafa project can do to address all the constraints to and reproductive health are discussed, particularly in women’s productive inclusion that have been identified. Kouroussa and Mamou, and to jealousy on the part of On the other hand, ideas and/or suggestions can be put some husbands, a point made in Beyla. forward, such as directing potential beneficiaries to the women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship centers (CAEF) 84 of the Fonds d’Appui aux Activités Économiques des Femmes et des Filles (FAEFF, see Section 4.3.2) and/ 82 These staff currently have smartphones, but the lack of this type of device among beneficiaries raises questions. The availability of tablets for these staff in charge of cash transfer programs/human capital support measures as well as light and comprehensive productive inclusion packages would, for example, make it more efficient to broadcast certain video messages to several beneficiaries at the same time. 83 Information taken from the report “Unleashing the potential of women and girls in Guinea“, World Bank, 2022 84 By 2023, CAEFs will be present in all 33 prefectures of Guinea and 5,000 female learners will be technically trained each year, in e.g., sewing, dyeing, processing agricultural products (drying leaves, fruit, etc.), hairdressing, pastry-making, etc. 85 Only 31% of women over the age of 15 are literate nationwide, World Bank 2021. 86 Women’s role and autonomy of decision regarding household expenditure are less pronounced in urban areas in the Mamou zone, where the weight of socio-cultural norms seems more pronounced. 87 Women provide the vast majority of income, their husbands being mainly active during the rainy season. 88 Points raised during interviews in rural Mamou and Conakry. 89 In these groups, men are mainly responsible for the more physically demanding work requiring greater strength, as well as administrative and management tasks, due to their generally higher level of education. 24 3.2.3. Women’s availability, mobility and accessibility 3.2.3.1. Availability In all the districts surveyed, women are most available after the market91, in the evening and on Fridays, after prayers in predominantly Muslim areas, and on Sundays in Christian areas. Women are more available in the dry season and after the harvest period, except in the city of Conakry. In order to maximize women’s participation in the The rainy season varies slightly from zone to zone, but Productive Inclusion program under the Nafa Project, it on average starts in May and ends in October. It can start is essential to get their spouses on board. To achieve earlier, in March or April in Beyla for example, and end this, a program presentation and community mobilization later, in November. As already mentioned earlier, the rainy measure is needed to explain the program’s content and period tends to differ because of climate change. procedures. It is also designed to inspire and motivate women, to encourage them to believe in their productive As specified (see Section 3.1.2.3), although women report abilities, and to encourage support from their husbands being very busy on a daily basis with domestic chores, (e.g., through success stories and film debates). In childcare and their IGAs, women claim to be able to free addition to encouraging the participation and mobilization up an average of 3 hours a day over several consecutive of women, this activity and moment of advocacy with days92 to take part in training activities, for example. It men is also a good opportunity to help overcome certain seems that the average daily availability of women in social norms that hinder the development of the female Conakry is less, with a stated preference of around 2 population. hours. Given the women’s strong interest in technical training, they mention that they can organize themselves to Recommendation 2 - Socio-cultural elements take part in a training course, whatever the duration. ⊲ Focus solely on oral and visual communication (see This availability will be enhanced if they are informed in illiteracy rate). advance and therefore prepared. ⊲ Develop the themes of combating child labor, early childhood development and messages in favor of 3.2.3.2. Mobility and zone accessibility gender equality (raising awareness of GBV) and women’s rights90 , to be disseminated as part of the Although social and gender norms often act as constraints Nafa Project’s human capital development measures. on women’s mobility, it appears that in the study areas, they are used to moving between sectors or districts, ⊲ Design messages highlighting the positive economic particularly to get to the various weekly markets. spin-offs for households when women practice IGAs, to be disseminated as part of productive inclusion However, as indicated (see Section 3.1.3), the long measures. distances, difficult accessibility (particularly in the rainy season), and high cost of these trips mean that the ⊲ Ensure good initial communication and specify logistical arrangements for activities need to be fine- messages to the target audiences (i.e. religious and tuned accordingly, and provisions made for out-of-pocket community leaders and men), to ensure that they are expenses in the design phase of the productive inclusion appropriated. program. ⊲ Involve spouses (heads or men of household) in The more this mobility-related difficulty is alleviated, the choosing the beneficiary when registering for the better the beneficiaries will be able to participate and get productive inclusion program. involved. Ideally, therefore, travel should be limited to ⊲ Pay particular attention to recruiting female support neighboring areas93 or to the district level if distances are staff in areas where gender diversity is less accepted. not too great. 90 Women’s rights are human rights. These include the right to live free from violence and discrimination, the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, the right to education, the right to own property, the right to vote and the right to equal pay. 91 Their availability differs according to the time slot of the market in and around their respective areas, morning for some and late afternoon for others. It also depends on when they finish preparing meals, cleaning, and other household chores. 92 From 3 to 5 days, depending on districts and zones. To be refined during program design. 93 Take the example of the 30 minutes’ walk maximum to be respected in the Nafa Project’s distribution of cash transfer withdrawal points. 25 In general, it appears that the factors facilitating improving social cohesion. beneficiaries’ participation in training courses are In addition to fostering broader social cohesion, the good proximity to the venue, reimbursement of transport costs, understanding and union between them are essential provision of proper, balanced meals, and being informed in terms of mutual aid and psycho-social and economic sufficiently in advance to make arrangements. support. The results of regional impact evaluations It has also been proven that offering quality meals confirm these aspects. Indeed, they have shown that facilitates good attendance (of several hours) at training extreme poverty is often accompanied by numerous courses, and maximizes attention and concentration. psychological and social challenges arising from factors such as social exclusion. In Niger, for example, the psychosocial package played a particularly important role Recommendation 3 - Availability, mobility and in strengthening beneficiaries’ relationships with their accessibility community, strengthening social cohesion, and increasing ⊲ Take into account the daily and seasonal availability the number of people they could turn to for help. of women in each zone (region and rural/urban The structuring of more formalized groups could therefore environment) concerned when planning activities be envisaged as part of the design of the package of (adapting the modalities of activities to the measures. beneficiaries’ schedule and not the other way round). ⊲ Involve accompanying field staff in planning activities 3.2.4.2. Community support in their respective zones, so that they are as well adapted as possible to their availability. Avoid, as far The mobilization of this type of meeting (of groups, as possible, the days and/or time slots of markets tontines, cooperatives or associations) is ensured by most frequented by participants. female leaders94. Their role is to represent, advise and mediate with women in the community. ⊲ Plan training periods well in advance and pass on information to beneficiaries so that they can organize In most cases, these women leaders are cited as the first themselves accordingly. resource people to turn to in the event of personal and/ or economic difficulty or need, as testified by women in ⊲ Keep training to a maximum of half-days. Beyla: “We, the women of the community, have the habit ⊲ Optimize logistical arrangements for activities of asking the representatives of the different communities (various sessions, training courses, etc.) to limit travel for advice in the event of a social problem“; or in Conakry: by beneficiaries. “Generally, women seek advice from their parents and ⊲ Arrange for each participant to be reimbursed for relatives, from the sèrè kounti, the women leaders of the transport to and from the training venue. sèrè. Most sèrè kounti are considered sisters and mothers by sèrè members“. Women leaders seem to have a strong voice and represent 3.2.4. Community habitus a key community player. 3.2.4.1. Group habitus It should be pointed out that when these women leaders The vast majority of women are available to take part do not have the appropriate advice or response, they in regular meetings. They are already used to getting direct the women to the people or services empowered to together for talks (e.g., on specific social issues), support them. The deconcentrated technical services for ceremonies, savings groups (tontines called sèrè) or agriculture and livestock were also cited as key players in cooperatives. The frequency of this type of gathering the event of problems specifically linked to IGAs. may vary from zone to zone, but is mostly weekly. Some In the event of domestic or social difficulties, many of the tontines are daily (as in Kindia), while in some localities women we met during our fieldwork also turn to their they are only monthly (as, for example, in the Coronthie relatives, elders, or other community resource persons district of Conakry). (e.g. religious representatives, elders, district presidents The fact that they already have this habit of getting or sector chiefs). This habit of community support and together helps to strengthen social ties. Taking part in advice is as valid in the rural districts visited as it is in the95 these frequent meetings not only provides psycho-social districts of Conakry. support between women, but is also seen as a means of 94 Known in Soussou as “Sèrè Kounti“ in Conakry and Kindia, or as the women’s president in Beyla. 95 However, in the Coronthie district, the women interviewed seem to rely mainly on themselves and female self-help. 26 3.2.4.3. Strengths and aspirations Thus, the habits of grouping and community support are Recommendation 4 - Community habitus in themselves strengths that women can draw on. ⊲ Continue to strengthen social cohesion by creating During fieldwork, the women cited their motivation to more formalized/structured savings and credit groups undertake, develop, and diversify economic activities as (VSCAs). their personal strengths. Their courage and hard work, in ⊲ List the contacts of the staff of the deconcentrated view of the many domestic and economic burdens (i.e., technical services available in each future area heavy daily workload) that fall on them, as well as their targeted by the productive inclusion program. determination to take care of their households, are also noteworthy. ⊲ Rely on existing community mechanisms for mobilization, local support and advice to beneficiaries. The numerous constraints mentioned (see Section 3.1), combined with the aforementioned strengths, show just how resilient the women are. On average, they are most 3.2.5. Access to savings and credit active between the ages of 35 and 50, and say they can 3.2.5.1. Microfinance institutions remain so until they are 65/70 on average. According to them, as long as they are physically able and their health Microfinance institutions represent an opportunity for permits, they will remain economically active. access to savings and credit98 and are relatively well established throughout the country. For example, Crédit In addition to developing IGAs and having the tools to do Rural de la Guinée, the largest microfinance institution so (training and production factors), the key aspirations in Guinea, is represented in all the areas surveyed mentioned by respondents are to benefit from support in and covers 80% of the national territory. However, as personal development and life skills (e.g., self-confidence, mentioned, the women surveyed do not turn to this type public speaking, leadership, etc.). of institution very often (see Section 3.1.4), despite the fact Shared examples of successful people from the that, in their opinion, they represent the most interesting community show that they had certain identical behavioral opportunity to benefit from financing to meet their characteristics, namely perseverance, courage, motivation, economic development needs. and determination, as well as the support of their family However, credit may be taken out with informal lenders or and/or community. These examples, in conjunction with relatives, and repaid in kind or in cash. the main strengths of the women interviewed and with the available evidence, indicate that they could benefit In the context of granting loans, the principle of the from training aimed at improving their life skills96 . interest rate (Rïba), although contrary to the religious precepts of Islam, seems to be fairly commonly accepted Building on women’s pre-existing bases of autonomy in the study areas. Respondents mention it as a concern, (household management and expenditure, self- particularly in predominantly Peuhl areas, but indicate that expression) to offer additional psychosocial skills (e.g., the increased lack of access to financing justifies its use. self-confidence, leadership, speaking out) would be In Mamou, one woman confides: “Interest rates are not crucial to a better response to the obstacles and needs accepted, but when you’re poor it’s not easy to respect all identified. the Islamic rules“. It is important to remember that, as stated in the impact evaluation results of productive inclusion measures in adaptive social safety nets in the Sahel, that “psychosocial 3.2.5.2. Savings group practices components (community awareness and life skills Tontines were also frequently cited as a source of access workshops) have a strong added value in increasing to savings. Village Savings and Credit Associations economic impacts in rural contexts in Niger and (VSCAs), on the other hand, were rarely mentioned as a Mauritania. The return on investment is particularly strong source of access to financing. However, in Mamou and for packages with psychosocial components in Niger and Kouroussa, some VSCA groups are known. It should be Senegal. This shows that it is not only productive grants pointed out that tontines, unlike VSCAs, are not a credit that explain impacts, and underlines the importance of solution, but a savings solution. In fact, tontines are groups addressing both psychosocial constraints as well as the of people who contribute to a common fund, the amount financial constraints faced by the poorest households97.“ 96 According to the United Nations, life skills refer to “a broad set of psychosocial and interpersonal skills that enable people to make informed decisions, communicate effectively and acquire coping and self-management mechanisms that contribute to a productive and healthy lifé. These skills may come into play in actions directed at oneself or others, or in efforts undertaken to make the surrounding living environment more conducive to health.“ 97 According to data from the World Bank’s multi-country assessment (ASP- Sahel - 2019-2022). 98 LANALA Finance was mentioned in Kindia and Conakry as another MFI present. YETE Mali was also mentioned, covering Mamou and Kindia. 27 of which is paid to each of them in turn. VSCAs, on the Recommendation 5: Access to savings and other hand, offer more than just collective savings: they credit also provide the opportunity to take out small loans and ⊲ Support the formalization of federations of savings provide mutual social support through a solidarity fund. and credit groups of beneficiaries of the Nafa Project’s VSCAs are also much more structured than tontines, and productive inclusion program, with the support of the more formalized too, since they have an office, follow prefectures and the Directors of Microprojects100 . operating procedures, and have rules and regulations. They are also exchange groups (sharing, support, advice) that go beyond the financial aspect, and thus reinforce 3.2.6. Economic opportunities social cohesion. The practice of tontines is widespread throughout the country. Women interviewed in Kindia and Guinea is a country rich in natural resources, with significant Mamou explain that their spouses even encourage them agricultural potential. Activities in this sector account for to participate, rather than simply allowing them to do so. the majority of jobs. Petty trade is also widely practiced by women, particularly in urban areas. The system of weekly Women’s average weekly savings capacity ranged from markets in rural areas (and daily markets in urban areas) 20,000 GNF (equivalent to US$2.30) in Mamou to 90,000 offers regular opportunities for the sale of products, the GNF (equivalent to US$10.40) in Kindia. For all the areas exchange of information, meetings, and the circulation of surveyed and the people interviewed, women’s average money. This study has enabled us to identify promising weekly savings capacity would be 40,000 GNF (equivalent value chains in the areas surveyed. This approach can to US$4.60). be completed and specified by the accompanying staff in The vast majority of respondents attested that their respective intervention zones. participation in savings and credit groups greatly favors the development of IGAs and helps to cope with certain sudden shocks (e.g., death of the household’s able-bodied 3.2.6.1. Markets members, livestock disease, etc.). Examples of successful The widespread presence of markets throughout the development stories and economic activities were shared country represents a triple opportunity101. These include with the field team. “A woman was very successful in her the possibility of selling products, obtaining supplies and IGA thanks to the support of her husband, who acted as circulating money and information in the areas concerned, a guarantor for her loan and as a training coach during and generating positive spin-offs for the communities the implementation of her IGA. Today, this woman trades concerned. throughout the sub-region. The key to her success was obtaining a loan, her husband’s trust, support and guidance.“ It was shared that the legal formalization of groups facilitated access to credit, notably from MFIs, or to subsidies and/or various forms of financing. These findings underline the importance of support and guidance for spouses, and confirm the value of credit. In order to capitalize on the above-mentioned opportunities and address some of the constraints identified, two specific measures need to be developed: • A community awareness/mobilization measure99 (see Section 4.1.2.1) • A measure to set up and operate VSCAs (see Section Markets are held weekly in rural areas102 and daily in 4.1.2.2), which takes into account the usual practice of urban areas. It appears that every sub-prefecture, with tontines, responds to the need for access to credit the exception of Cissela, and every district surveyed, and the lack of formalization of the groups. has a weekly market. Women are also accustomed to frequenting nearby markets. 99 As part of the pilot programs for productive inclusion, this type of measure helps to mobilize and involve women, and to overcome certain social norms that hinder their self-confidence and development. Thanks to the good practices presented, they also make it easier to start up, strengthen, innovate and diversify an economic activity. 100 To support the formalization of ideas and make it easier to obtain legal documents. 101 According to the census and mapping of basic socio-economic infrastructure in 2017 published by INS in November 2018, 1,041 markets were counted nationwide. The administrative region of Kankan has 25% of the country’s markets, N’Zérékoré and Kindia regions with 14% and 13% of markets respectively. Around 80% of markets are located in rural areas, compared with 20% in urban areas. Two-thirds of the markets surveyed are weekly markets (66%). In rural areas, 80% of markets are weekly and 20% are daily. These proportions are respectively 11% and 74% in urban areas. 28 Moreover, in Beyla and Mamou, markets are specialized craftsman is generally made possible by being employed by product type. This opportunity for a diversified, zone- as an apprentice and thus benefiting from mentoring, as specific offer is a relevant basis on which to recommend well as by passing on know-how within the family. future interventions. Farming, vegetable gardening, produce processing and saponification are generally carried out in groups. Many respondents claim to belong, for example, to cooperatives or groups. This practice is less widespread in Conakry. It is essential to specify that agricultural, market garden and livestock production is primarily intended for sale, and to a lesser extent for self-consumption. Given the high proportion of people surveyed unable to eat three meals a day, and the lower proportion of production for self- In Porédaka (Mamou), a covered market offers an excellent consumption, the productive support measures proposed opportunity for petty trading all year round, not just in the in addition to regular cash transfers appear absolutely dry season. necessary to meet basic food consumption needs. The choice of IGA depends first and foremost on the financial resources available and/or the initial investment 3.2.6.2. Income-generating activities capacity, then on the presumed outlets and profitability, The main income-generating activities in the rural areas as well as on family and cultural know-how and surveyed are concentrated in agriculture and vegetable predispositions. Table 2 below is a summary103 of the main gardening. Indeed, agro-climatic conditions allow the income-generating activities, by population category, cultivation of a wide range of products, and there is an listed in each survey zone, together with the information untapped reservoir of employment opportunities linked gathered in terms of supply and demand. to the development of value chains (see Section 3.2.7.2). Fishing is a predominantly male activity in Conakry and In Conakry, petty trade and the service sector predominate. Kouroussa, due to the presence of the river Niger104. The capital Conakry is the only urban center where In all the prefectures surveyed, the majority of women agriculture and vegetable gardening are not widespread, are involved in agriculture, vegetable gardening, product unlike towns such as Kindia or Beyla. processing, and petty trading. Most young women Almost all the women interviewed claimed to be involved cite hairdressing and sewing as their most frequently in at least two activities. From the interviews, it appears practiced activities. that farming is generally coupled with another type of The majority of men work in jobs requiring physical IGA, except in Conakry where petty trade, for example, strength, such as construction, and in service activities, is frequently complemented by an activity in the service such as transport and/or money transfer. Young men are sector. This diversification takes place in terms of types predominantly active in the transport sector, in particular of activity, such as agriculture and livestock breeding. motorcycle cabs. Diversification also takes place on a seasonal basis, with women switching between farming and vegetable Large livestock farming is generally practiced exclusively gardening and/or petty trade, activities that can be by men, with women involved in small livestock farming carried out during the dry season, unlike farming. This and, more frequently, poultry farming. diversification habit is less prevalent in the Beyla districts It is clear from the various interviews and FGs that there is surveyed. a strong desire for technical capacity building, equipment, Livestock farming is a widespread activity, although not financial education, and business strategy formulation. practiced in all the districts visited, such as Friguiagbé, In order to meet these needs and strengthen management Dounet or Conakry. On the other hand, the processing of skills, the measure involving micro-entrepreneurship agricultural and livestock products is well developed, as training, already mentioned above, seems perfectly in the vast majority of areas surveyed. suited. Handicrafts are relatively underdeveloped overall, with the exception of saponification and dyeing. Becoming a 103 It does not claim to be exhaustive at regional level, but only to provide information specific to the districts surveyed in each sub-prefecture visited. 104 The most important river in the country. 29 Recommendation 6 - Economic opportunities ⊲ Encourage women to sell at weekly markets. ⊲ Train and equip CAs to carry out this more specific diagnosis of economic opportunities and value chains ⊲ Based on the results of this study, the accompanying in their area. staff (ANIES CAs) will be able to specify, in a short prospective note (diagnosis), the precise economic ⊲ Develop the complementary psycho-social and opportunities and value chains in their respective micro-entrepreneurial skills (management and market areas of intervention, in order to best guide the access) of future beneficiaries through workshops beneficiaries towards promising sectors. and training to help them increase their economic 30 Table 2 - Main IGAs by prefecture and population group IGA/Population category IGAs reserved for certain IGAs involving more young Main IGAs in the area IGAs involving more women IGAs involving more men Matching supply and demand socio-cultural groups people Prefecture - Agriculture and vegetable - Oil extraction by pkékè - Vegetable gardening - Activities requiring strength: - Transport (taxi-moto) - Unfulfilled request : gardening - Mechanics, carpentry, - Agriculture (certain tasks) Products difficult to produce in quantity blacksmithing, - Petty trade (rice, beans, peanuts) - Petty trade - Agriculture (harvesting, - Agricultural product processing - Processed products (shea) Beyla - APP ploughing) (APP) - Supply exceeds demand : - Services (sewing) - Services (money transfer) - Gold panning - Agricultural and market garden products (peppers, okra, rice, peanuts) - Sewing (except holiday periods) - Petty trade - Fishing and fish smoking - Petty trade - Activities requiring strength: - Services (hairdressing, - Unfulfilled request : by Sousous and foreigners Mechanics, masonry ... sewing, café-bar, money - Fishing - Services (hairdressing, sewing, - Services (sewing) (Sierra Leone, Ghana) transfer) catering) - Fishing Conakry - Services and crafts - Supply exceeds demand : - Fish smoking, - Transport (cab / truck) - Crafts - Petty trade (food, clothing, etc.) - Crafts (dyeing & saponification) - Product processing - Agriculture and vegetable - N/A - Petty trade - Activities requiring strength: - Transport (cabs and - Supply exceeds demand : gardening Mechanics, masonry, motorcycles) - APP - Difficulty selling market garden plumbing, tiling, welding - Petty trade - Services (sewing, produce - Crafts (dyeing and Kindia - Breeding hairdressing) - Services and crafts saponification) - Breeding - Services (hairdressing) - APP - Agriculture and vegetable - Fishing reserved for - Agriculture (peanuts) - Activities requiring strength - Transport (cabs and - Unfulfilled request : gardening Somonos motorcycles) - Vegetable gardening - Farming on large plots - Market garden produce in the dry - Petty trade - Hunting reserved for - Coal production season - APP - Transport Donzos - Livestock and fishing - Services (mechanics, - Farm inputs and equipment - Picking - Livestock (+ beekeeping) Kouroussa - Forge reserved for certain hairdressing) - Services - Services social groups - Services - APP - Supply exceeds demand : - Gold panning - Livestock (cattle) - Agricultural products at harvest time - Agriculture and vegetable - Crafts (blacksmithing, - Petty trade - Rain-fed agriculture on large - Transport (cabs, - Unfulfilled request : gardening shoemaking, pottery) plots (fonio) motorcycles, trucks) - APP - Market garden and dry-season reserved for certain - Petty trade - Activities requiring strength - Services (hairdressing, agricultural products (storage) lineages - Crafts and services café/bar, money transfer) - APP - Transport (cab and - Imported products (fish, fruit) Mamou - Small-scale farming (poultry) motorcycle) - Breeding - Supply exceeds demand : - Beef farming - Services and crafts - Agricultural products at harvest time - Livestock (cattle) 31 3.2.7. Growth sectors and value chains important not only to diversify processing, but also to ensure that there is little saturation in the production area 3.2.7.1. Leading sectors concerned. There are a number of factors that justify the development In the Conakry neighborhoods surveyed, although fishing of promising value chains: the potential of the natural clearly emerges as one of the predominant growth environment (e.g., soil fertility, availability of grazing sectors, being a predominantly male activity, it is important land, presence of water sources, etc.), the opportunity to here to consider its opportunities for processing (e.g., boost the sector, the possibility of introducing a specific smoking and drying), by-products and marketing. The value chain or technique, and the existence of nearby high population density of the capital Conakry also offers infrastructure for marketing and/or processing products. a wide range of commercial and service opportunities for The survey amply confirms agriculture as the predominant women. growth sector throughout the country, with the exception Also, the weakness of supply identified in the craft and, of the city of Conakry. However, there is a need to in rural areas, service sectors (e.g., sewing, catering, support its modernization and mechanization, not only construction, mechanics, etc.) results from the lack of by providing equipment, but also by improving access to training and poor access to production equipment in rural inputs and technical training for those involved. areas. What’s more, as training centers are non-existent The type of agricultural value chain differs according to the in most districts, training requires travel to urban centers, natural region and can also vary within each prefecture. which incurs costs that are not readily accepted by many The market garden, fruit tree and livestock sectors are men. Certain technical skills are therefore not developed also promising, under the same conditions of learning and in rural areas, but rather in urban centers. Although technical facilitation in terms of conservation and storage, purchasing power is lower in rural areas, demand exists processing, and marketing strategies. for underdeveloped products and services. For example, in the sub-prefecture of Gbessoba (Beyla), the rice, peanut, onion and bean sectors are clearly identified 3.2.7.2. Value chains as the most promising, as they are difficult to produce Unsurprisingly, the majority of value chains with interesting in large quantities but are very much in demand by the potential are agricultural. To date, they appear to be local population. In the sub-prefecture of Sinko (Beyla), relatively undeveloped and short, in the sense that they the sorghum and millet sectors are the most promising. comprise a small number of activities (few links). The shea tree (arboriculture) sector was also strongly mentioned as promising, due to its high processing and In Beyla, for example, the processing of agricultural export potential, as well as its high demand. products such as rice is a value chain in which the gender dimension cuts across all stages. Indeed, its main links In the Kouroussa area, yams, fonio, manioc and cashew are, or can be, the sale of equipment or sustainable (and nuts seem to represent important growth sectors, innovative) production technology, production, parboiling, although the one on which everyone agrees is the sale of rice cake making, preservation, packaging, transport, agricultural inputs and equipment. access to the product(s) market, and sales. The livestock sector, although buoyant given the wide Based on this «standard model», it would be efficient to availability of pasture and fertile soils, would benefit from strengthen, develop and diversify the short value chains modernization to be truly promising. identified in other areas, such as: The most promising opportunity in Mamou would be ⊲ Peanuts (peanut paste) in Kouroussa, the processing and storage of agricultural produce (e.g., potatoes, cassava, fonio) to avoid deterioration, ⊲ Honey and oil production in Mamou, compensate for water shortages at certain times, and limit ⊲ Cornmeal in Kindia, speculation on prices at different times/seasons of the year. Certain key products, such as fruit and fish, which ⊲ Fish products in Conakry. have hitherto been imported, could represent potential A largely overlooked or under-exploited activity in value growth sectors, provided that the project support the chain development is the recycling of agricultural and/ development of their cultivation or adequate transport or non-organic waste (e.g., glass, PET plastic105, metal, and preservation options. paper/cardboard items, etc.). Whatever the type of agricultural product chosen, it is The program would also seek to establish links with 105 Polyethylene terephthalate. 32 existing initiatives and future investments in agricultural 3.2.8. Access to finance value chains with strong domestic demand or export As mentioned in Section 3.1.5, the lack of financing is potential. the main constraint to the initiation, development and In addition, encouraging and facilitating wider access to diversification of economic activities, and its modalities financing would appear to be crucial if the project is to were questioned during the field survey. It emerged very ensure that the sectors identified as promising and the clearly that the granting of a subsidy or productive grant, opportunities for developing value chains are feasible as provided for in the package of productive support and sustainable. measures, is absolutely essential. Its aim is to support future beneficiaries’ access to financing, enabling them to start or strengthen their current or planned IGAs. A preference for a cash payment of this grant seems to emerge from the interviews, although a subsidy in kind (e.g., agricultural inputs) would also be of considerable value. The people interviewed prefer to be able to choose the type of priority investment to be made, which is favorable in terms of empowerment and sustainability of their activities. In this type of productive inclusion program, the payment of a single amount to all beneficiaries has generally been practiced. Although this method can be debated, particularly in terms of the cost of living in different types of environment (e.g. rural/urban), in the context of this productive inclusion program, it is suggested that it be maintained in order to limit the risk of social conflict. Also, this grant is usually paid in a single instalment, although this modality is open to discussion and may be subject to change. The average amounts indicated by the women we met in the field varied considerably, and depended on whether they were planning to work collectively or individually. The majority of respondents preferred an individual grant. The best time to make this productive cash transfer was frequently cited as being just before or at the very start of the agricultural season. This is in order to give priority to Recommendation 7 - Growth sectors and value investing in the factors of production. chains According to the people interviewed, harvest time is also ⊲ Carry out a more detailed diagnosis of the precise particularly suitable, given the income generated at that opportunities in each zone, potentially mobilizing time. Indeed, since this income meets the household’s ANIES CAs and under the supervision of the CSMs in basic needs, the productive grant can perfectly fulfill its the zones concerned. initial objective of investing in the creation, reinforcement ⊲ Create the conditions for capacity-building and and/or diversification of IGAs. Income from the agricultural awareness-raising on the various techniques (e.g., harvest, combined with regular cash transfers, would conservation methods, agricultural techniques, meet basic needs, freeing up the grant for productive processing techniques). investment. These results confirm once again the interest, ⊲ Facilitate the creation of links with deconcentrated indeed the necessity, of combining this type of productive technical services for livestock, agriculture and other inclusion program with social safety nets, and in this relevant sectors. context, cash transfers. ⊲ Encourage integration into value chains through, for example, grouped IGAs, cooperatives or associations. Promote the development of value chains and innovation. 33 Recommendation 8 - Access to finance ⊲ Clarify and harmonize information on the criteria for ⊲ Pay particular attention to the timing of the grant, awarding productive subsidies or grants. Indicate identified as shortly before the start of the agricultural that the grant is for a productive investment and is (growing) season, or preferably at harvest time, to intended for the whole household. encourage productive investment, and rely on ANIES field staff (CAs) to confirm the optimal grant payment ⊲ Make receipt of the productive grant conditional on period. participation, at the very least, in training course(s) in micro-entrepreneurship, financial education, etc. ⊲ Notify beneficiaries well in advance of the payment period, then monitor and report on their use.. ⊲ Ensure that the right information about the program and grant beneficiary is passed on by field support ⊲ Do not formally condition the use of the grant, but staff and understood by future beneficiaries. provide effective support. ⊲ Agree on the method of payment of the grant (in a ⊲ Provide 3 months of post-funding coaching. single instalment or more?). ⊲ Let each beneficiary choose whether to develop a ⊲ Use the same payment method for all beneficiaries of collective IGA when the context lends itself to it or an the Productive Inclusion program. individual one. 34 35 4. PROPOSED PRODUCTIVE INCLUSION PACKAGES AND STRATEGIC ORIENTATIONS This report presented the main findings of the qualitative Senegal and Chad), it is possible to propose the content study on productive inclusion opportunities for women of productive inclusion packages within the framework of in Guinea, in the prefectures of Beyla, Conakry, Kindia, the Nafa Project in Guinea. Kouroussa and Mamou. Although not exhaustive in terms of Guinea’s national context, this study provides information on the key constraints and opportunities 4.1. Content suggestions impacting women’s productivity, thus helping to inform This future package of multidimensional, coordinated the design of the future productive inclusion program. interventions should address the multiple obstacles These results will enrich the preliminary exchanges and take into account the opportunities identified. with the ANIES team on the development of light and Unleashing the productive potential of people living in comprehensive productive packages. This study, a situation of vulnerabilitý involves the removal of not combined with the results of impact and qualitative one, but numerous obstacles. To achieve this, this type assessments of regional pilots of productive inclusion of productive inclusion package offers considerable programs (ASP Sahel106), as well as lessons learned from scope for flexibility and adaptation to socio-cultural and scaling-up experiences in countries of the region (e.g. economic realities. Major constraints identified : And above all, the key opportunities ⊲ Lack of access to basic infrastructure identified: ⊲ Lack of resources, access to credit, access to financing ⊲ Access to information and telecommunications ⊲ The weight of socio-cultural norms ⊲ Simple calculation skills and expense management habits ⊲ Time poverty ⊲ Women’s autonomy and freedom of expression ⊲ Difficult access to factors of production ⊲ Mobility habits and organizational skills (i.e. making ⊲ Lack of technical and managerial skills and limited yourself available) technical/professional training opportunities ⊲ Meeting habits and community support ⊲ Community systems are prevalent ⊲ Core behavioral competencies: motivation, perseverance, courage and resilience ⊲ Widespread savings practice ⊲ Strong market presence and money circulation ⊲ Potential of the agricultural sector and value chains ⊲ Diverse economic activities 106 https://www.banquemondiale.org/fr/programs/sahel-adaptive-social-protection-program-trust-fund/thematic-areas/productive-inclusion 36 The Nafa Project will provide two types of productive step, it would be useful to carry out a short telephone support, namely a very light package of productive survey via ANIES CAs with a sample of beneficiaries support measures to be delivered to the 136,000 in order to validate and prioritize the themes that are households receiving regular cash transfers, and a pre-identified as the most important. This step could full package of productive inclusion measures for be done very simply, at low cost (telephone credit 15,000 targeted households among the cash transfer only) and within a short timeframe, given the number beneficiaries107. of CAs available and the reduced number of future beneficiaries to call. The CAs’ knowledge of the area and its beneficiaries will be a significant advantage. In 4.1.1. Human capital and other accompanying addition, the ongoing distribution of cell phones and measures SIM cards to beneficiaries in rural areas by ANIES will The light package should rather be seen as an additional facilitate the process. A light questionnaire will have measure to the human capital support package. It to be designed, the type of prioritization chosen, and could be an introductory module in essential psycho- a data processing method decided. social (life) skills and micro-entrepreneurship. This ⊲ Organize a one-day collaborative workshop, additional measure would make it possible to share best which could be virtual - to limit costs and broaden practices in order to stimulate the desire to change habits contributions - (e.g., members of the ANIES and WB and behaviors that are better adapted to productivity teams and contributors with diverse expertise and development. experience) to validate the survey’s prioritized To develop this measure in detail, it is first necessary to themes and define how they will be shared, know the planned themes of human capital measures. At innovating with regard to the type of media and the time of this study, their definition, the exact mode of implementation method(s). sharing and the design of their content had not yet been Next, it is essential to take stock of the financial decided. However, it is noted that the type of medium education tools already available to the payment and its distribution methods do not appear to be set in operators contracted by ANIES, in order to capitalize on stone, that the option of innovating on these has been what already exists and make proposals for improvement thought of and appears to be envisaged, and that a and adaptation to the realities of future beneficiaries. To budget line has been earmarked for this work. This option do this, the project may need to : seems appropriate and should be strongly encouraged. ⊲ Organize meetings with the payment operator to There are already some modules, used in the context determine how to adjust and improve the content of human capital support measures, that were initially and tools they already have. Then, agree on their designed at the time of the Cellule Filets Sociaux (CFS) future use by all ANIES payment operators (all zones (the predecessor of ANIES), and were adapted and used concerned). by ANIES staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. ⊲ Build the capacity of CAs to use these financial education tools, and decide how ANIES/Payment In order to define the accompanying human capital Operators will work together to administer them to measures and the «additional productive measure» as beneficiaries. proposed, several steps are suggested: ⊲ Build on the results presented in this report and the wealth of results from the recent studies “Constraints 4.1.2. Complete package of productive and Opportunities for productive Inclusion in inclusion measures Guinea108“ and “Libérer le potentiel des femmes et Although it is not possible to adapt the package to every des filles en Guinée109“ (2020 and 2022), as they situation, flexibility is required. A suggested content of already provide a comprehensive initial overview measures adapted to the socio-cultural and economic that can be used to predefine themes adapted to situation of the areas surveyed, as a basis for future the current needs of beneficiaries. exchanges, is proposed to follow. It is suggested that the complete Productive Inclusion package be made up of 5 ⊲ On the basis of the themes adapted to the current measures, as detailed below. needs of beneficiaries pre-identified in the previous 107 The project may target some non-cash transfer beneficiary households for the full productive package. 108 Brunelin, S., Kroll, G, Zambra Taibo, C. (2020), World Bank. 109 World Bank, 2022 37 Figure 3 - Proposed comprehensive package for productive inclusion The complexity of the socio-cultural and economic of beneficiaries and supporting sectors is carried out in realities of the target populations means that there is good time. a need to innovate training formats. This design work Support staff must be trained in advance in the various should be carried out using collective intelligence110 with measures for which they will be responsible. The type and several types of interlocutors (e.g. consultants, trainers, method of training will be decided once the organizational field staff, RACs, operational partners, etc.). The design structure has been established and the roles of each of training tools will only be possible if the preliminary stakeholder have been defined. work of matching community information with records 110 It is an asset for collaborative work, and consists in getting diverse and varied profiles to work together to find solutions more effectively than by working in isolation. 38 4.1.2.1. Measure 1 - Program communication and saved. Participation in VSCAs is entirely voluntary. community mobilization It is strongly recommended that the cycle last a The aim of program communication is to present the minimum of 9 months. program to communities and beneficiaries, and to Accompanying staff (from the field, e.g., CAs) will support discuss its objectives, organization and the personal the smooth running of VSCA meetings. Local staff (from investment required. the districts/neighborhoods concerned) should be made Community mobilization, on the other hand, aims available to reinforce this support on a more regular basis to develop advocacy with men and the assembly to throughout the cycle. encourage the mobilization and participation of women, Once the VSCA is running efficiently, time will be taken and to overcome certain social norms that hinder their at the end of meetings to discuss collectively the choice self-confidence and development. The aim is also to of IGA for each member, should they decide to start communicate best practices for starting up, strengthening, a new one or diversify. At this stage of the project, the innovating and diversifying an economic activity. relationship between the desired activity (registration At the end of the session, the main growth sectors in the phase) and the supporting sectors (measure 1) will inform area will be presented111, so that they can later be linked the choice of the final IGA. Indeed, the latter has tended (during measure 2) to the women’s economic aspirations to emerge late in other productive inclusion programs. (as expressed during the registration)112. This will facilitate However, the earlier the choice is made, the more support an early choice of activity by the beneficiary, giving her that can be provided in preparing it. What’s more, better time to develop it. integration of these activities into the local economy can have a significant impact on communities. This session could therefore consist of a screening, in local languages, of113 : It would be advisable to consider grouping the VSCAs into a union/federation to increase their strength in • A video presentation of the program, followed by the face of more substantial credit opportunities (MFIs, clarification questions group purchases, seed distribution, etc.). This procedure • A drama about a household’s economic success, could be envisaged after the first cycle (9 months) of followed by a debate operation of the VSCAs, but the legal information and • A success story (short video), followed by a debate formalities required to initiate this type of approach could be collected by the ANIES team from the outset of the • A brief PPT presentation of the area’s growth sectors, Productive Inclusion program. followed by an exchange of ideas to complete the picture. 4.1.2.3. Measure 3 - Life skills training and workshops 4.1.2.2. Measure 2 - Creation and operation of Village Its aim is to overcome certain social norms, to reinforce Savings and Credit Associations (VSCAs) the participant’s sense of social worth114 and personal well-being, a prerequisite for self-confidence and Its aim is to offer simple savings and credit opportunities, personal initiative. The acquisition of certain intrinsic skills as well as social insurance. The aim is to increase and is necessary to be fully capable of developing an IGA. diversify sources of income and address economic, social and community issues, and build resilience. Talking frees people up and opens up more space for creativity and entrepreneurship, hence the usefulness VSCAs will be the basic unit for all other measurements. of this measure being delivered before Measure 4: These consist of groups of 12 to 25 people, formed on Micro-entrepreneurship training and technical initiations the basis of affinity and geographical proximity, whose (presented below). members save together and make small loans to each This measure can be broken down into: other from these savings, during weekly meetings. VSCA activities operate in «cycles», at the end of which • An educational session in the form of training in accumulated savings and profits from loans are distributed psycho-social (life) skills to meet identified needs, among members in proportion to the amount each has • A workshop format / Space for exchanges on psycho- 111 Following the example of the work carried out by the CFS in 2018, the inventory of promising value chains and value chains could be carried out upstream by the accompanying staff who are familiar with the area, i.e. the CAs. 112 The choice of beneficiary could be made following a discussion between the accompanying staff and the household, in the presence of its representative, to encourage the household’s support and the woman’s mobilization. 113 Local languages will be selected by area of intervention. The main languages listed are Malinke, Soussou and Pular. 114 The way people interact with each other. It can be seen as a measure of the quality of social interaction in a society. 39 social issues. for resource persons outside the project in their area at the very beginning of the project. A form for creating This measure is partly justified by the fact that the technical links will be drawn up for this purpose. inequalities suffered by women are manifold115 and have numerous implications for their personal and economic development. Indeed, the results of the World Bank’s 4.1.2.5. Measure 5 - Productive grants multi-country impact evaluation116, indicate that the packages of productive accompanying measures have The aim of the productive grant is to support beneficiaries’ had “positive and significant impacts on social well- access to financing to start up, strengthen and/or being indices, mental health, social value, and future diversify an IGA. The amount of the productive grant is expectations of eligible women, and that these impacts envisaged in the project documents to be around US$200 are maintained over time. Participants also reported equivalent, but this will have to be confirmed. increased confidence in their communities. At community This grant is usually paid out in one lump sum, per level, the program improved attitudes to gender and beneficiary, and in cash. The payment of a single amount perceptions of women’s economic participation. Women to all beneficiaries is suggested (see Section 3.2.8). The reported greater decision-making power over their transfer method will be the same as that usually used resources. However, some nuances in these effects by the Nafa Project’s cash transfer payment system, i.e. between contexts emerged. For example, the increase in mobile money (dematerialized transfer via telephones psychological and social well-being was more marked in already given to beneficiaries). rural areas, particularly in Niger117.“ 4.1.2.6. Coaching 4.1.2.4. Measure 4 - Training in micro-entrepreneurship Feedback shows that the introduction of coaching as a and technical initiations form of support, rather than directive supervision, helps The aim of this measure is to equip beneficiaries with basic to boost beneficiaries’ self-esteem. This choice of an skills for starting up, strengthening, and managing IGAs. approach based on helping «the Other to find his or The principle is also to provide technical reinforcement her own solutions», without dictating what he or she to meet the identified needs of beneficiaries. The training should do, encourages beneficiaries to become more is short and adapted to a non-literate public. autonomous in managing their activities and daily lives. This training consists of a core curriculum common to Coaching is a cross-functional support process, not an all groups. This will include, in addition to simple micro- activity in its own right. It helps to mobilize and inform entrepreneurial skills, a market accesś module, as well as beneficiaries, and to ensure continuity between measures. the production of a simplified, pictorial business plan. Coaching is therefore the proposed method for supporting Additional specific modules (in the form of tool sheets), beneficiaries and groups. It takes the form of group and adapted to the (technical) potential and economic individual coaching. realities of different zones and groups, will be provided. Group coaching (GC) aims to help beneficiaries master In addition to offering practical advice by sector of activity, the procedures, principles and operating methodology of or even mentoring in urban areas, the technical initiation the VSCA. It also aims to support beneficiaries collectively would put beneficiaries in touch with appropriate external in the development of their IGAs and social development services or resource persons (decentralized services, themes (health, family education, resource management). bearers of knowledge and techniques likely to improve This takes place after the VSCA meeting, so that the the productivity of IGAs). It could also be an opportunity to accompanying staff can identify the most relevant themes present innovative techniques (for better natural resource to be addressed. management or time optimization). The number of groups to be accompanied by each In order to redirect future beneficiaries to the expertise recommended “coach“ depends on geographical realities they need, and to identify these occasional contributors, (geographical dispersion of groups and distances to be support staff will need to compile a directory of contacts covered), the planned means of travel, and the detailed 115 Gender-based violence (GBV) in Guinea has been widely documented, and several studies have reported on its extent. It should be pointed out that data specific to the areas concerned by this study are not available, as this research theme has not been the subject of specific questions within this framework. 116 Adaptive social protection program in the Sahel, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal. 117 Extracted from: Bossuroy, Thomas, Koussouba, Estelle, Premand, Patrick. “Constraints to productive employment for beneficiaries of social safety nets in the Sahel“. Sahel Adaptative Social Protection Program, World Bank. 40 planning of the activities carried out (type, frequency, etc.). is defined and its design initiated. Organizational arrangements, selected future stakeholders and partners, In the case of Guinea, it seems efficient not to exceed five and a clear division of roles and responsibilities for groups per «coach» (accompanying staff) and the ideal dedicated Nafa Project staff can then be determined. would be four. This ratio will be defined by ANIES, and However, to inform these decisions, initial suggestions are suggestions will be made along these lines, as scenarios made and points for attention are shared in the following and geographical targeting are defined. section. • As proposed, some of these GC sessions could provide an opportunity for regular exchanges on the psycho-social needs of members (measure 3 - 4.2 Strategic recommendations “The need for an integrated approach“) (see Section The recommendations proposed in this study are divided 4.1.2.3). into two tables. The aim of individual coaching (IC) is to support Table 33 contains the full set of recommendations, beneficiaries individually in the management and including additional strategic recommendations (based development of their IGAs to ensure their profitability. It on lessons learned from experiences in the region). These also helps to resolve specific problems linked to IGAs or are organized by type and according to the themes/ domestic issues. stages of the project cycle. Table 4 presents the specific All these possibilities will be discussed between the recommendations for each measure in the production ANIES and World Bank teams. The final content will then inclusion package. be validated before the required organizational structure 41 Types of recommendations Human resources Coordination Organizational Tools Process Admin Technical aspects of implementation Table 3 - Summary of recommendations by project phase Project phase Recommendations Type Deliver the full package of productive inclusion measures to women already benefiting from the Nafa Project’s cash transfers (15,000), to ensure that their basic needs are met and thus facilitate their ability to invest. o Define and validate eligibility criteria according to the initial choices: Cash transfer Eligibility and regis- beneficiaries, women, PMT score, and no age limit. tration o Determine exact coverage zones, quotas per zone, and selection criteria. Sharing methodology and targeting steps Involve spouses (heads or men of household) in choosing the beneficiary when registering for the productive inclusion program. Determine and officially validate the organization chart delineating the roles and responsibil- ities of those involved in implementation. Involve CSMs right from the program design stage. Clearly specify the supervisory links between the various stakeholders involved. Recruit a Productive Inclusion Expert before the design phase begins. Recruit a Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant for each CSM in the field in the targeted areas (total number determined by the results of geographic targeting). Develop a Productive Inclusion manual. Agree on whether or not to outsource the Nafa Project’s external communications. Installation and Recruit, as soon as possible, a communications Manager to manage and coordinate internal Setup communications for the Nafa Project. Ensure that this person is present from the start of the productive inclusion program. Same for a Monitoring and Evaluation Manager. Pay particular attention to recruiting female support staff in areas where gender diversity is less accepted. Rely on existing community mechanisms for mobilization, local support, and advice to ben- eficiaries. List the contacts of the staff of the deconcentrated technical services available in each future area concerned by the productive inclusion program. Preliminary survey/diagnosis: o Based on the results of this study, the accompanying staff (ANIES CAs) will be able to specify, in a short prospective note (diagnosis), the precise economic opportuni- ties and value chains in their respective areas of intervention, in order to best guide beneficiaries towards promising sectors. 42 Project phase Recommendations Type Equipment : o Plan to rent or purchase appropriate equipment (generators) in the absence of electricity in many areas for the implementation of certain activities/measures and ensure its functionality. o Assess the need and feasibility of equipping Nafa Project support staff with tablets to facilitate the use of digital technology and innovative formats when sharing key messages with beneficiaries. Planning : o Draw up a supervision and activity monitoring plan detailing the methods and frequency according to the level of involvement of each stakeholder. o Take into account the daily and seasonal time availability of women in each zone (region and rural/urban environment) concerned when planning activities (adapt- Installation and ing the modalities of activities to the beneficiaries’ schedule and not the other way Setup round). o Involve accompanying field staff in planning activities in their respective zones, so that they are as well adapted as possible to their availability. Avoid, to the extent possible, the days and/or time slots of the markets most frequented by partici- pants. o Optimize logistical arrangements for activities (various sessions, training courses, etc.) to limit travel for beneficiaries. Training and capacity building for support staff: o Conduct training sessions for staff involved in the implementation of the produc- tive inclusion program, at regional and/or prefecture headquarters. o Train and equip CAs to carry out a more specific diagnosis of economic opportuni- ties and value chains in their area. Establish the key messages to be disseminated to beneficiaries and community, their tim- ing, frequency, and mode of transmission, by designing a communication plan adapted to local realities. Formalize in a document the communication processes already put in place by ANIES in its current areas of intervention, and systematize them on a national scale. Communication and Pursue the use of a local communication mechanism (Community Assistants for example) follow-up already in place to compensate for the lack of access to the media in certain districts. Focus solely on oral and visual communication (see illiteracy rates). Specify messages to the target audiences, i.e. religious and community leaders and men, to ensure that they are appropriate. Develop the themes of human capital development, combating child labor, early childhood Human capital sup- development, and messages in favor of gender equality (raising awareness of GBV) and port women’s rights, to be disseminated as part of the Nafa Project’s human capital develop- ment measures. Recruit additional staff to manage the MIS: o A Network System Manager o Database Manager Set up the MIS body to integrate the content of the MIS specific to all Nafa Project compo- Information and nents. management infor- mation systems Be supported by a WB expert for MIS deployment and train staff recruited to manage it. MSI (dedicated to the productive inclusion pro- Ensure the interoperability of the future MIS program) gram) with with the the MISMSI of the of the payment payment operator(s) operator(s). Ensure that it enables the planning, implementation and monitoring of the activities of the Productive Inclusion Program and, more generally, of the Nafa. 43 Table 4 - Summary of recommendations by measure Measures Recommendations Measure 1- Project Design messages highlighting the positive economic spin-offs for households when women communication practice IGAs, to be disseminated as part of productive inclusion measures. and community Ensure good initial communication and specify messages to the target audiences (i.e. mobilization religious and community leaders and men), to ensure that they are appropriated. Measure 2 - Creation Continue to strengthen social cohesion by creating more formalized/structured savings and and operation of credit groups (VSCAs). Village Savings and Support the formalization of federations of savings and credit groups for beneficiaries of Credit Associations the Nafa Project’s productive inclusion program, with the support of the DMRs at prefectural (VSCAs) level. Planning : Measure 3 - Life Plan training periods well in advance and pass on information to beneficiaries so that they skills training and can organize themselves accordingly. workshops Keep training to a maximum of half-days. Arrange for each participant to be reimbursed for transport to and from the training venue. Encourage women to sell at weekly markets. Develop the complementary psycho-social and micro-entrepreneurial skills (management and market access) of future beneficiaries through workshops and training to help them Measure 4 - increase their economic potential. Training in micro- Create the conditions for capacity-building and awareness-raising on the various techniques entrepreneurship and (e.g. conservation methods, agricultural techniques, processing techniques). technical initiations Facilitate the creation of links with deconcentrated technical services for livestock, agriculture and other relevant sectors. Encourage integration into value chains through, for example, grouped IGAs, cooperatives or associations. Promote the development of value chains, and innovate. Clarify and harmonize information on the criteria for awarding productive grants. Indicate that the grant is for a productive investment and is intended for the whole household. Make the productive grant conditional on participation, at the very least, in training course(s) in micro- entrepreneurship, financial education, etc. Ensure that the right information about the project’s beneficiary and the grant is passed on by accompanying field staff and understood by future beneficiaries. Agree on the method of payment of the grant (in a single instalment or more?). Measure 5 - Use the same payment method for all beneficiaries of the Productive Inclusion program. Productive grants Pay particular attention to the timing of the grant, identified as shortly before the start of the agricultural (growing) season, or preferably at harvest time, to encourage productive investment, and rely on ANIES field staff (CAs) to confirm the optimal grant payment period. Notify beneficiaries well in advance of the payment period, then monitor and report on their use. Do not formally condition the use of the grant, but provide effective support. Provide 3 months of post-funding coaching. Let each beneficiary choose whether to develop a collective IGA when the context lends itself to it (cf. value chains) or an individual one. 44 4.3 Suggestions and prospects Community Support Managers (CSM - Regional level) and Community Assistants (CA - Prefectoral level), and it 4.3.1 Organizational set-up would be advisable to build on this. The number of CSMs This type of multi-dimensional program involves working and CAs to be mobilized will be adjusted according to with a variety of players, and requires recruitment of a the results of the geographic targeting of the productive dedicated manager. As a Productive Inclusion Expert, this inclusion program. The number of prefectures targeted person will work within the Financial Inclusion Department will therefore determine the number of CSMs required. of the Nafa Project. The roles and responsibilities of These ANIES representatives could oversee and the position, although already set out in the ToR for coordinate the implementation of the future production his recruitment, will need to be specified in the future program. For this coordination to be effective, it is operations manual for the Productive Inclusion program. necessary to ensure the availability of one CSM per The design of this manual will provide an opportunity to administrative region118. On this condition, and if each define all the coordination and supervision links between CSM is supported by a Monitoring and Evaluation the players involved, and to detail their respective roles Assistant, as already recommended, and the CAs can and responsibilities. be made available, the implementation of measures 1, 2, As shown in Table 4 (Summary of recommendations 5 and coaching could be internalized by ANIES. Given by measure), the recruitment of staff involved in the the planned pilot of 15,000 beneficiaries, the number productive inclusion program must be effective at the of CAs (310 currently) is more than sufficient to carry out time of its design/preparation. At this stage of the study, the activities of the above-mentioned measures in the it is premature to define an exhaustive organizational field. Based on VSCA groups (see Section 4.1.2.2) of 20 structure, and discussions with ANIES management are beneficiaries on average, and if each CA were to support essential for this. However, a few suggestions can be around five beneficiaries, only 150 of them would need to made. be mobilized. Several options for implementing this type of program Simulations of the number of CAs potentially required have been tried and tested. They differ in the degree (according to the results of the geographical targeting of to which they are integrated into the social safety beneficiaries) as a function of the number of VSCA groups net program (e.g. by accompanying/field staff) and/or to be supported and the number of future beneficiaries outsourced to training firms/consultant-trainers/NGOs. (members) per VSCA group are presented below. ANIES already has field presence in the form of its Table 5 - Number of VSCA groups and members by CA 4 WITH/CA 5 WITH/CA 6 WITH/CA If 25 beneficiaries/ Number of 150 120 100 VSCA CAs re- quired If 20 beneficiaries/ 188 150 125 VSCA CAs would need to have sufficient time, a communication consistent with the logic of social protection delivery tool and, in the near future, a suitable means of transport systems development in which this project is evolving, (motorcycles), as well as a level of monthly remuneration it is important to think of sustainability119 in terms of commensurate with the demands of the job. maintaining staff in organizations/institutions and thus stimulating their commitment. CAs will need to undergo a number of training courses to successfully carry out this mission. This capacity-building This organizational scheme from central to prefectural is in line with the commitment to sustainability and the levels, already instituted by ANIES, will have to be creation of permanent jobs as part of a social safety nets completed by : system. This investment is both worthwhile and profitable → Local staff120 are needed to mobilize and inform in terms of maintaining these skills over the longer term, beneficiaries (for all measures), for whom specific or in the event of scaling up. Indeed, in addition to being 118 There are currently five ANIES employees: three at PRU-APN level and two at BND level. 119 We need to go beyond simply issuing training certificates, and go further in professionalizing and recognizing real skills through certification, for example in coaching. 45 compensation should be provided: field. • Community Relays (CRs), already mobilized on an ⊲ The SWEDD program: existence of multifunctional ad hoc basis by ANIES or present in the field. platforms (provision of equipment for processing agricultural products) & revitalization of ANAFIC • Resource persons from existing, functional community committees121 to establish a harmonized community structures in each district (e.g. women’s framework for managing complaints at prefectural leaders, see Section 3.2.4.2). and rural commune level > Key opportunities within → The outsourcing of certain activities that require the framework of measure 4 and the management of specific skills and expertise: for the design of various complaints and claims for the program as a whole. training and support tools, the pre-training of CAs With a presence in only 3 regions (Kankan, Labé and for measures 1, 2 and coaching, and the training of Faranah), the productive inclusion program could only beneficiaries for measures 3 and 4. benefit from this potential partnership for some of its The choice of recruiting external service providers will beneficiaries/activities. be discussed > with ANIES as soon as the content of ⊲ FAEFF122 : centers for women’s empowerment the package of measures has been validated, which will and entrepreneurship (CAEF) (technical training, determine the exact support requirements. These should processing, diversification of agricultural products, include, for example, firms (institutes)/consultant-trainers, encouraging value chains), present in all 33 specialists in videographic and graphic design, or any prefectures, and collaboration with regional inspectors other suitable specialist. (identifying and supporting women’s groups) > Key opportunities under measure 4. 4.3.2 Partnership prospects and programmatic Newness of the structure and the search for additional links budget allocations. Strong partnerships are essential for the success of this ⊲ CADES123 : promoting equal rights for women and type of program. Indeed, building bridges with other children, female and youth entrepreneurship. National existing and complementary programs/resources/skills NGO with a branch in each natural region, experience is essential for a more holistic approach to social safety and habit of collaboration with safety nets programs nets and better care for vulnerable people. In addition (awareness-raising/human capital support measures, to strengthening operational knowledge and optimal social nets project) and ongoing collaboration with action methods, better programmatic articulations can be FAEFF. > Key opportunities within the framework of created to take into account the diversity of needs and measure 3 and human capital support measures. thus improve results. No permanent staff and ad hoc resources depending on As part of this study, a number of stimulating interviews programs and funding. were conducted with players with proven expertise and ⊲ AKIBA Finance: digital microfinance agency whose common or complementary objectives to the Productive mission is to support the financial inclusion of women Inclusion program. From these discussions, perspectives and young people via digital technology, 5,000 for partnership/collaboration emerged, for example: partners and sales outlets, secure VSCA and savings, ⊲ Appropriate deconcentrated technical services (e.g. transition from a tontine system to a bank account agricultural, livestock, social action, etc.). Example of (without smartphone, with QR code card), biometric the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAGEL), provision (no need for CNI = access to MFIs). Provides which is represented in the country’s 33 prefectures, the added value of interoperability between members with 462 agricultural advisors and 400 veterinary of a VSCA and even to a phone number which does auxiliaries, and a growing presence at district level > not have an account with AKIBA, and the possibility of Key opportunity under measure 4 (4.1.2.4). accessing credit at very low cost. > Key opportunities A potential need to strengthen these services and ANIES’s under measures 2 and 5. lack of experience in working with decentralized services, Small fees apply to withdrawals and relative newness of given the recent start of UNDP-NPA implementation in the the agency. 120 The use of this type of staff will ensure that the project is more sustainable once it has been completed. 121 Agence nationale de financement des collectivités locales 122 Fonds d’Appui aux Activités Économiques des Femmes et des Filles, Ministry for the Promotion of Women, Children and Vulnerable Persons. 123 Support Center for Economic and Social Development. 46 Entering into a partnership with this type of innovative agency would remove a number of obstacles to women’s economic development, and capitalize on ANIES’ provision of cell phones, a powerful tool for financial inclusion, in addition to the productive grant itself. The creation of such promising partnerships and innovative collaborations is entirely appropriate for this productive inclusion program and should be the subject of continued exchanges between the World Bank and ANIES. 47 Appendix 1. Data collection schedule Natural Sub-prefecture Investiga- Type of mainte- Dura- N° Prefecture Neighborhood / district Location Date Contact name Function Structure region / municipality tor’s name nance tion Guinea Line Le 1 Conakry ANIES EI key players 20/4/2023 Paul Faber ERNPSP Coordinator ANIES 1h30 maritime Teuff Guinea Elisa 2 Conakry ANIES EI key players 20/4/2023 Oumou Barry Financial Inclusion Director ANIES 1h30 maritime Larcher Gamey Guinea 1h15 3 Conakry Zogbele- ANIES EI key players 20/4/2023 Ayouba Condé TM and RAC expert - Guinée-forestière ANIES maritime 1h40 mou Guinea Kemo Zou- 4 Conakry ANIES EI key players 20/04/2023 Aissatou Thiam RAC - Upper Guinea ANIES 1h15 maritime manigui Guinea Penda Mamadou Mouctar 5 Conakry ANIES EI key players 20/04/2023 RAC - Middle Guinea ANIES 1h20 maritime Diallo Barry Guinea Thomas 6 Conakry ANIES EI key players 20/04/2023 Issiaga Conté RAC - Maritime Guinea ANIES 1h00 maritime Lamah AKIBA FINANCE Guinea Line Le 7 Conakry ANIES EI key players 20/4/2023 Hadiatou Barry Founder and General Manager microfinance insti- 1h35 maritime Teuff tution Guinea Line Le 8 Conakry ANIES EI key players 20/4/2023 Aïssata Kourouma Project Manager ANIES 0h40 maritime Teuff Support fund for Guinea Line Le 20/4/2023 Virginie Touré General Manager women’s and girls’ 9 Conakry ANIES EI key players 2h00 maritime Teuff 24/4/2023 Chérif A. Haidara Operations Manager economic activities Key players (FAEFF) Guinea Line Le 10 Conakry ANIES EI key players 24/4/2023 Oumou Barry Financial Inclusion Director ANIES 1h30 maritime Teuff Guinea Elisa 11 Conakry Virtual EI key players 24/4/2023 Ayouba Condé TM and RAC expert - Guinée-forestière ANIES 1h40 maritime Larcher Guinea Elisa Safaiou Bah SWEDD project coordinator 12 Conakry Virtual EI key players 26/4/2023 World Bank 1h00 maritime Larcher Ibrahima Bah M&E manager Guinea Line Le 13 Conakry Virtual EI key players 3/5/2023 Oumou Barry Director of Financial Inclusion ANIES 1h30 maritime Teuff Guinea Line Le 14 Conakry Virtual EI key players 4/5/2023 Aliou Bah Executive Secretary CADES 1h15 maritime Teuff Guinea Line Le 15 Conakry Virtual EI key players 5/5/2023 Oumou Barry Director of Financial Inclusion ANIES 2h00 maritime Teuff Guinea Elisa Safaiou Bah SWEDD Guinea Project Coordinator 16 Conakry Virtual EI key players 5/5/2023 World Bank 1h00 maritime Larcher Ibrahima Bah M&E Manager Hawa Sylla, Secretary General Guinea Line Le Fatoumata Bangoura Chef de Cabinet Ministry of Agricul- 17 Conakry Virtual EI key players   1h05 maritime Teuff Safiatou Kamara PEIFAG Coordinator ture and Livestock Sirandou Diallo National Director of Food & Production Guinea Thomas Home district 18 Conakry Kaloum Coronthie center 1 FG women 25/4/2023 N/A N/A N/A 1h45 maritime Lamah manager Guinea Thomas Home district 19 Conakry Kaloum Coronthie center 1 EI woman 25/4/2023 Bintia Camara Female leader N/A 00h45 maritime Lamah manager Guinea Thomas Home district FG eco actors & Economic players and community 20 Conakry Kaloum Coronthie center 1 26/4/2023 N/A N/A 1h38 maritime Lamah manager leader leaders Guinea Thomas Home district 48 21 Conakry Kaloum Coronthie center 1 EI woman 26/4/2023 Aissata Camara Women’s president N/A 1h00 maritime Lamah manager Guinea Kemo Zou- District council 22 Conakry Matam Bonfi road EI woman 26/04/2023 Makalé Fofana Woman leader N/A 1h38 maritime manigui headquarters Neighborhood Guinea Kemo Zou- FG eco players Economic players and community 23 Conakry Matam Bonfi road council head- 25/4/2023 N/A N/A 1h48 maritime manigui & leaders leaders quarters Guinea Kemo Zou- Maison des 24 Conakry Matam Bonfi road FG women 26/4/2023 N/A N/A N/A 1h45 maritime manigui jeunes Guinea Kemo Zou- Maison des EI eco player & Administrator of a computer training 25 Conakry Matam Bonfi road 26/4/2023 Jean Fara Tounkara Eden Prestation 1h51 maritime manigui jeunes leader center Women’s Economic Guinea Thomas EI eco player & 26 Kindia Kindia center Kindia center Prefecture 27/4/2023 M’mah Bangoura Director Empowerment Cen- 1h45 maritime Lamah leader ter (CAEF) Guinea Thomas 27 Kindia Linsan Linsan Centre 1 Sub-prefecture FG women 28/4/2023 N/A N/A N/A 1h45 maritime Lamah Guinea Thomas 28 Kindia Linsan Linsan Centre1 Sub-prefecture EI woman 28/4/2023 M’Bambé Soumah Woman leader N/A 1h00 maritime Lamah Guinea Thomas FG eco players Economic players and community 29 Kindia Linsan Linsan Centre1 Sub-prefecture 29/4/2023 N/A N/A 1h45 maritime Lamah & leaders leaders Guinea Thomas EI eco player & Mamadou Saidou Crédit rural de 30 Kindia Linsan Linsan Centre1 Sub-prefecture 29/4/2023 LINSAN Rural Credit Manager 1h00 maritime Lamah leader Diallo Linsan Guinea Thomas 31 Kindia Friguiagbé Friguiagbé center 1 Sub-prefecture FG women 1/5/2023 N/A N/A N/A 1h30 maritime Lamah Guinea Thomas 32 Kindia Friguiagbé Friguiagbé center 1 Sub-prefecture EI woman 1/5/2023 Aicha Fofana Woman leader N/A 1h00 maritime Lamah Guinea Thomas FG eco players Economic players and community 33 Kindia Friguiagbé Friguiagbé center 1 Sub-prefecture 2/5/2023 N/A N/A 1h15 maritime Lamah & leaders leaders Guinea Thomas EI eco player & Chamber of Com- 34 Kindia Friguiagbé Friguiagbé center 1 Sub-prefecture 2/5/2023 Arafan Abou Sylla Director, Chamber of Commerce 1h05 maritime Lamah leader merce Average Penda Group head- 35 Mamou Mamou center Madina telico EI woman 25/4/2023 Sira Bayo Woman leader and group president Group 1h 05 Guinea Diallo quarters Average Penda EI eco player & Economic players and community 36 Mamou Mamou center Almamiya Prefecture 26/4/2023 Mamadi Magassouba Prefecture 1h00 Guinea Diallo leader leaders Average Penda Mariama penda 37 Mamou Mamou center Almamiya Prefecture EI woman 26/4/2023 Prefectural Director of Social Action Prefecture 1h00 Guinea Diallo Diallo Average Penda Maison des 38 Mamou Porédaka Poredaka center FG women 26/4/2023 N/A N/A Women’s Bureau 1h30 Guinea Diallo jeunes Average Penda Maison des FG eco players Economic players and community 39 Mamou Porédaka Porédaka center 27/4/2023 N/A Group 1h30 Guinea Diallo jeunes & leaders leaders Average Penda Maison des EI eco player & 40 Mamou Porédaka Porédaka center 27/4/2023 Abbas Area Manager Sub-prefecture 00h58 Guinea Diallo jeunes leader Average Penda 41 Mamou Porédaka Porédaka center Home EI woman 27/4/2023 Ramatoulaye Diallo Woman leader Group 1h00 Guinea Diallo Average Penda 42 Mamou Porédaka Porédaka center Home EI woman 28/4/2023 Aissa Bah Woman leader Group 00h50 Guinea Diallo Average Penda 43 Mamou Dounet Dounet center Municipality FG women 29/4/2023 N/A N/A Group 2h00 Guinea Diallo Average Penda 44 Mamou Dounet Dounet center Municipality EI woman 29/4/2023 Diariou Barry Woman leader N/A 1h00 Guinea Diallo 49 Average Penda FG eco players Economic players and community 45 Mamou Dounet Dounet center Municipality 30/04/2023 N/A N/A 1h48 Guinea Diallo & leaders leaders Average Penda EI eco player & 46 Mamou Dounet Dounet center Municipality 30/04/2023 Mamdou Sall Youth President N/A 1h00 Guinea Diallo leader Average Penda EI eco player & 47 Mamou Dounet Dounet center Municipality 30/04/2023 Mamadou Diaby District President Sub-prefecture 1h00 Guinea Diallo leader Upper Kemo Zou- 48 Kouroussa Cisséla Center 1 Outdoors FG women 28/04/2023 N/A N/A N/A 2h12 Guinea manigui Upper Kemo Zou- EI eco player & 49 Kouroussa Cisséla Center 1 Outdoors 28/04/2023 Fatoumata Diaby Woman leader N/A 1h55 Guinea manigui leader Upper Kemo Zou- FG eco players Economic players and community 50 Kouroussa Cisséla Center 1 Outdoors 29/04/2023 N/A N/A 2h01 Guinea manigui & leaders leaders Upper Kemo Zou- EI eco player & 51 Kouroussa Cisséla Center 1 Outdoors 29/04/2023 Moussa Keita Chairman of the Distict Committee District Committee 2h15 Guinea manigui leader Upper Kemo Zou- Maison des Aissata Moussa 52 Kouroussa Koumana Koumana 1 EI woman 30/04/2023 Female leader N/A 1h50 Guinea manigui jeunes Sacko Upper Kemo Zou- Maison des FG eco players Economic players and community 53 Kouroussa Koumana Koumana 1 30/04/2023 N/A N/A 2h17 Guinea manigui jeunes & leaders leaders Upper Kemo Zou- Maison des EI eco player & 54 Kouroussa Koumana Koumana 1 01/05/2023 Lancinet Keita District President District office 1h55 Guinea manigui jeunes leader Upper Kemo Zou- Maison des 55 Kouroussa Koumana Koumana 1 FG women 01/05/2023 N/A N/A N/A 2h08 Guinea manigui jeunes Gamey Crédit Rural Guinea EI eco player & Sow Mamadou Crédit Rural de 56 Beyla Beyla center Beyla center Zogbele- Beyla head 25/4/2023 Manager Crédit Rural Beyla 2h00 Forestière leader Saroudja Beyla mou office Gamey Guinea Home district 57 Beyla Gbessoba Tanantou Zogbele- FG women 26/4/2023 N/A N/A N/A 3h30 Forestière manager mou Gamey Guinea Home district FG eco players Economic players and community 58 Beyla Gbessoba Tanantou Zogbele- 26/4/2023 N/A N/A 1h15 Forestière manager & leaders leaders mou Gamey In charge of Social Action Social Action and Guinea Social Action EI eco player & Marc Bongono 59 Beyla Beyla center Beyla center Zogbele- 28/4/2023 Assistant to the Director of Microproj- Micro Achievements 2h17 Forestière Office leader Sekou Sagno mou ects Department Gamey Guinea 60 Beyla Beyla center Kissibou Zogbele- Home EI woman 28/4/2023 Masigbè Doukouré Group President N/A 1h45 Forestière mou Gamey Guinea Home district 61 Beyla Sinko Sabouya Zogbele- FG women 29/4/2023 N/A NA N/A 2H45 Forestière manager mou Gamey Guinea Home district FG eco players Economic players and community 62 Beyla Sinko Sabouya Zogbele- 29/4/2023 N/A N/A 1h30 Forestière manager & leaders leaders mou Gamey Guinea Personal resi- EI eco player & Groupement Destin 63 Beyla Beyla center Kemebouramaya Zogbele- 1/5/2023 Messiri camara Group President 1h43 Forestière dence leader en main mou 50 APPENDIX 2. 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