I’m thrilled to share that Yoonu Xeey, the company I co-founded alongside three amazing partners in Senegal, is officially up and running. This is not just another company—it’s the next big step in my journey to make a meaningful impact on the informal sector in Senegal and, eventually, across Africa. Together with my co-founders, we’ve created Yoonu Xeey to empower workers in the informal economy by offering them the skills, tools, and support needed to build secure, sustainable livelihoods.
This isn’t a sudden shift; it’s a natural evolution of the work I’ve been doing through SkillSafari, my company based in Finland. But Yoonu Xeey adds something different—something vital. It brings local expertise into the equation, enabling us to focus directly on Senegal’s unique challenges, while staying grounded in a global perspective on skills development.
Why Yoonu Xeey is a Game-Changer
The establishment of Yoonu Xeey is particularly special because it’s a joint effort between myself and three co-founders who bring valuable local knowledge about Senegal’s economy and its informal sector. These are individuals who live and breathe the challenges and opportunities of the very people we aim to serve. In partnership, we’re able to design solutions that are not only innovative but also grounded in the realities of the workforce in Senegal.
For me, this collaboration represents a pivotal moment. It’s one thing to run SkillSafari from Finland, where we focus on global skills development. It’s another to have a company like Yoonu Xeey right on the ground in Senegal. It means we can now offer something deeply rooted in local needs, while still drawing from international best practices. It’s a marriage of perspectives that I’ve been working towards for years.
Why the Informal Sector Matters More Than Ever
In Senegal, the informal sector is not a small part of the economy—it is the economy. With 84% of workers employed in informal jobs , it’s the engine that keeps the country running. Yet, informal workers are often overlooked, left without the social protections, financial support, or skills training needed to improve their livelihoods.
And it’s not just men. Over 93% of women in Senegal work informally, often in small-scale trade, services, and domestic work . Women and youth make up the bulk of the informal workforce, but they face unique challenges such as limited access to education and formal employment.
That’s why Yoonu Xeey is focused so intently on these groups. We’re working to empower them by providing mentorship, skills training, financial literacy programs, and access to micro-finance. We’re giving women and young people the tools they need to break out of the cycle of economic vulnerability and build something sustainable for themselves and their families.
Formalizing the Informal: A Path to Stability
One of the most exciting parts of this work is the potential for formalizing parts of the informal sector. Through our training programs, we’re helping workers transition to more stable, formal jobs or at least improve their conditions within the informal economy. We believe that formalization, even in small steps, is key to improving not only individual livelihoods but also the broader economy.
When workers gain access to social protections, secure wages, and the ability to contribute more fully to the economy, everyone wins. The government can collect more taxes, invest in public services, and boost productivity. With Yoonu Xeey, we’re working on creating these pathways to formalization, bridging the gap between the informal and formal economies.
The Bigger Picture: A Vision for Africa’s Future
What’s happening in Senegal is just the beginning. The informal sector isn’t unique to one country; it’s a challenge faced across Africa. Millions of workers across the continent rely on informal jobs, often without the protections or opportunities they deserve.
With SkillSafari and Yoonu Xeey working together, we’re creating a model that can be replicated in other countries. We’re showing that by investing in the skills and support structures for informal workers, we can create a more resilient and dynamic workforce. One that’s capable of driving economic growth from the ground up.
This is the new chapter that I’m most excited about—the opportunity to continue building a future where informal workers are empowered, and their contributions are fully recognized. Through this collaboration, we’re not just aiming for short-term gains; we’re building a foundation for long-term change in Senegal and beyond. Together, Yoonu Xeey and SkillSafari are setting the stage for a stronger, more inclusive future.
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