Senegal

SNV is implementing in Senegal a National Biogas Programme which focuses on slurry, lighting and cooking needs for households and schools. The programme is executed under the Africa Biogas Partnership Programme implemented in collaboration with Hivos (Humanist Institut for Cooperation with Developing countries is established in closed cooperation with the Senegalese Ministry of Energy.

The programme objective is to disseminate domestic bio-digesters as a local and sustainable energy source through the development of a commercial and market oriented sector.

SNV work has facilitated:

• Job training for programme staff and national partners (masons and artisans)
• Programme implementation in both ways: public and private collaboration and market oriented
• Establishment of construction Enterprise (private sector development)
• Research work to reduce the biogas digester price to 50%

The National Biogas Programme in Senegal is conducted by SNV Burkina Faso office under the coordination of Fulgence Bassono based in Dakar. Mr Bassono is a field expert with 22 years of experience including 5 years in the Renewable Energy sector. SNV brings in the technical assistance and implements with partners like World Vision and CARITAS Kaolack while Hivos ensures financial issues and the overall management and coordination. The programme is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and key partners such as the Ministry for Energy and local organistions and Micro finance institutions are also engaged.

To date, 250 biogas plants have been installed. As an integrated tool for development, the bio-digester is contributing to:

• Energy production for households cooking needs
• Lighting for rural areas schools and income generating activities
• Slurry for agricultural production improvement
• Improve the livelihoods of women in rural areas (kitchen hygiene, convenience, reduction in fetching wood)
• Reduce desertification and greenhouse gas emissions.