Fatima’s Journey: Empowering Women Through Soapmaking in Senegal

In the rural village of Gangel Soule, Senegal, Fatima, a 35-year-old mother of five, has transformed her life and community through entrepreneurship. Once an occasional soap reseller, Fatima is now a thriving soap manufacturer, thanks to the support of USAID’s Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program.

Recognizing the local demand for soap, Fatima initially learned basic production techniques from a local expert but struggled to scale her business. Her turning point came when she participated in a soapmaking training offered by the F2F program. The training, led by an American volunteer, equipped her with critical skills such as crafting recipes from local oils, mold design, drying, and packaging. “It gave me the confidence to start manufacturing soap because I now have the skills and knowledge to succeed,” Fatima shared.

“I TARGETED SOAP EARLY ON, SEEING THE MARKET DEMAND IN THE VILLAGE. I INITIALLY LEARNED BASIC SOAPMAKING FROM A LOCAL ACTOR, ABOU GAKOU, BUT I DIDN’T MASTER THE PROCESS. I LACKED THE SKILLS TO PRODUCE VARIOUS SOAPS FOR LAUNDRY AND BATHING,” SAYS FATIMA, REFLECTING ON HER JOURNEY BEFORE RECEIVING F2F TRAINING.

The impact of this training was immediate. Just a week after the program, Fatima launched her soapmaking business with a modest $25 investment. She quickly produced over 100 bars of soap in her first week, generating $63.60 in sales—nearly quadrupling her previous weekly income as a reseller. With an estimated monthly turnover of $254.40, Fatima’s venture has become a sustainable source of income for her family.

Fatima’s success is part of a broader effort to empower women in Senegal, where women comprise 80% of the agricultural workforce but often lack access to resources like credit, land, and training. By utilizing local agricultural products for her soaps, Fatima demonstrates how skills development can foster economic independence and community resilience.

“The training covered everything I needed—from creating recipes using local oils to mold design, drying, and packaging. It gave me the confidence to start manufacturing soap because I now have the skills and knowledge to succeed,” she shared.

Her aspirations extend beyond her own success. Fatima plans to diversify her product line and formalize her business, hoping to create jobs for other young people in her village. “You just have to believe in it, and I believe in it,” she said. Her journey highlights the transformative power of access to skills and resources, showing how women entrepreneurs can drive sustainable change in their communities.

Fatima’s story is a beacon of empowerment, illustrating how targeted training and local resources can unlock opportunities, change lives, and inspire others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.