International Development Grant
West Africa Governance and Economic Sustainability (WAGES) in Extractive Areas
Project Number: CA-3-D002411001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $19,758,948.00
Start Date: April 05, 2016
End Date: March 31, 2022
Duration: 6.0 years
Project Description
This project supports inclusive sustainable economic development and poverty reduction with a focus on women and youth as well as accountable governance in three mining regions: the Sahel Region in Burkina Faso the Western Region in Ghana and the Préfecture de Boké in Guinea. The project works with the private sector local governments chambers of mines and communities and aims to enable communities (especially women and youth) to maximise the socio-economic benefits from extractive industry operations. By identifying business opportunities for communities and strengthening local and national businesses sustainable natural resource development is leveraged to the benefit of the broader economy expanding the indirect and multiplier effects of resource extraction. Project activities include: (1) strengthening local skills training and employment services focusing on helping women and youth acquire market-relevant skills; (2) conducting market assessments to identify ways to enhance procurement and supply linkages between the private sector and local businesses; and (3) supporting knowledge-sharing on natural resources management through existing regional organizations and platforms such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Mining Vision.
Expected Results
The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (1) increased employment and income for community members especially youth and women in selected mining regions; (2) strengthened sub-national governments and local institutions to leverage opportunities arising from the extractives sector within selected mining regions; and (3) improved dialogue on local economic growth and governance strategies in mining regions both within the three target countries and across West Africa.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of March 2018 include: (1) the laws and norms of the mining sector were disseminated to 505 community leaders (62% women) to increase people’s awareness of their rights and potential opportunities; (2) 1 191 people in Burkina Faso including 260 young people (22%) and 931 women (78%) received technical skills training on entrepreneurship this created job opportunities for them; (3) 753 people including 618 (82%) young people and 135 (18%) women were trained on entrepreneurship and market development gender equality and environment sustainability in Guinea; and 60 young entrepreneurs including 30 women were trained on how to access finance and to develop new markets in Burkina Faso; (4) 797 of which 161 (20%) are young people and 636 are women (80%) were trained on entrepreneurship market development gender equality and environment sustainability in Ghana this improved their skills and knowledge for independent workers; (5) 160 local or elected local government staff (including 31 women) were trained on planning and financial management which allowed elected officials to contribute to planning and monitoring budgets; 6) 358 information kits were distributed to beneficiaries (local government authorities communities civil society organizations the private sector and women's and youth groups) which better informed beneficiaries about their roles and responsibilities in the community in Ghana Burkina Faso and Guinea; (7) 155 people including 56% women were trained and technically supported in their economic initiatives; (8) 51 business links established between private sector buyers mining companies and businesses and co-operatives helped seize economic opportunities for communities bordering mining companies; (9) 500 young men and women were trained in entrepreneurship and business plan development strengthened their capacity to create business opportunities with mining companies; (10) 6 supported national forums in the 3 countrie
Key Information
Executing Agency:
WUSC - World University Service of Canada
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
WGM Africa
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Unsolicited Proposal