Three energy shops for a greener future in the Saloum Delta
Wetlands International Africa (WIACO) installs gas access points and improved cookstoves to reduce dependence on mangrove wood
As part of its commitment to sustainable energy solutions, Wetlands International Africa – West Coast and Gulf of Guinea (WIACO) has established three energy stores in the Saloum Delta. Operational since the end of 2024, they were officially inaugurated on February 12, 13, and 14, 2025, in Bossinkang, Betenty, and Djinak.
A major challenge for island communities
These villages, isolated and far from conventional supply networks, rely heavily on mangrove wood for cooking, which contributes to deforestation and weakens the local ecosystem. Thanks to these stores, residents now have access to butane gas and improved stoves, thus reducing their environmental impact while improving their living conditions. A collaborative project for climate resilience
This initiative is part of the Community Resilience Project, implemented by WIACO with financial support from the Woodside Energy and Petrosen joint venture. It was made possible through close collaboration with government technical services and protected area managers, including the Saloum Delta National Park (PNDS) and the Bamboung Marine Protected Area (AMPB).
In Bossinkang, the impact is already measurable: “Out of 60 9-kg cylinders, 54 were sold in less than a week,” says Bourama Sagna, chair of the energy store’s management committee. The same dynamic is evident in Betenty, where the store makes life easier for women: “By giving us access to sustainable energy, it frees us from the chore of gathering wood and helps us preserve our environment,” explains Maïmouna Fall, chair of the management committee.
With these encouraging initial results, WIACO and its partners plan to expand the project to other villages in the Saloum Delta, thereby strengthening access to sustainable energy alternatives and the resilience of communities in the face of climate change.