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Soly Abdoulaye is a young Nigerien who has received support from PPAAO-Niger and PRODEX (Projet de Développement des Exportations des Produits Agro-pastoraux) to set up a modern, semi-industrial Kilichi production unit. Kilichi or dried meat occupies a place of choice in Niger and the sub-region. Few people come to Niamey without tasting it or taking a few kilos home with them.

With a master's degree in economics and business management, Soly was born in Tessaoua, some 700 km from Niamey. This locality has long been renowned for the quality and flavor of its Kilichi. So Soly knows perfectly well the terrain in which he is operating. Thanks to the synergy between PPAAO and PRODEX, and his own personal contribution, his modern, semi-industrial Kilichi production unit is gradually being set up. Once up and running, this unit will drive a veritable revolution and innovation in the sector. As things stand at the Kilichi plant, things are almost ready. The factory building is ready for use, the equipment is being installed and production will start shortly.

Soly had this project in his pocket when, in 2006, he was invited by the World Bank to a fair on "youth, entrepreneurship and innovation" organized in Bamako, Mali. It was an invitation to young people with innovative projects likely to create wealth and employment. His well-crafted business plan for modernizing the production and marketing of Kilichi du Niger won the award. After 5 years of unsuccessful attempts to obtain financing from several local banks, he learned in 2011 that PRODEX was supporting players in this sector. When he presented his project to those in charge, he was won over, and PRODEX committed 30 million FCFA out of a total of 68 million. With Mr. Soly's personal contribution estimated at 19 million, there is still a gap of 18 million. Back to the bankers. After a year of fruitless negotiations with Banque Régionale de Solidarité (BRS), Soly discovered PPAAO and the opportunities it offered. PPAAO was also seduced and took over the 18 million gap.

But where does Mr. Soly's ingenious idea come from? As a former member of the Comité de Pilotage du Programme Qualité UEMOA, Soly understood the dynamics surrounding the Kilichi du Niger. He also understood the opportunity that exists in this meat processing sector. With the support of the Ministry of Trade, he initiated pilot production of Kilichi for microbiological analysis at LANSPEX (Laboratoire d'Analyse des Produits et d'Expertise). As a result, Kilichi produced under hygienic and sanitary conditions is free from all germs and health problems. Its ambition is to contribute to job creation and to participate in the export of products resulting from this activity. With the Kilichi production unit, Soly intends to start up with 14 direct jobs. The agreement signed with PPAAO-Niger provides for the setting up of a training platform for trainees and researchers, and the training of Kilichi producers in health and safety standards. The company is also intended to act as a kind of knowledge incubator for Masters and PhD students wishing to do research on Kilichi.