Kolda, Senegal — West Africa

Educating
the next
generation

The Banouna Ba Foundation empowers girls and young people in Kolda through free access to education, safe learning spaces, and a community that believes in their potential.

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1M+ Library Visitors
2,500 Students Supported
70% BFEM Pass Rate

Our Partners

Senegal Cycling Tour
Senegal Cycling Tour
Université Assane Seck de Ziguinchor
Université Assane Seck
Hobbé
Hobbé
Le Firdou
Le Firdou
Upcoming Event

Black Unity Bike Ride 2026

View Event →

May 1–10, 2026 · Senegal · Fundraising for Girls Education

Why Kolda needs us

In Senegal, one of the 25 least educated countries in the world, women hold a literacy rate of just 39.8% — compared to 64.8% for men. In Kolda, this gap is even wider. Without education, women remain dependent, and their children follow the same path.

We are changing that — one student, one book, one opportunity at a time. Our open-space library and computer lab give young people the tools they need to pursue the Baccalauréat, BFEM certification, and university education.

"She hosted children in her own home so they could further their studies. That spirit lives on in everything we do."

— In memory of Banouna Ba, Founder's Grandmother

Founded in 2011 on the 15th anniversary of Banouna Ba's passing, the foundation carries her name and her conviction that every child deserves a future.

What we're fighting for

The foundation's purpose is to support children, particularly girls, to get through the education process. When looking at statistics we can see that the literacy rate of women in Senegal (Senegal which is one of the 25 least educated countries according to prosperity.com [1]) is 39.8% while the men have a literacy rate of 64.81%.[1]

In effect many women in Kolda are only dependent on their male counterparts and or family. This lack of a proper education systematically leads to their kids becoming not as educated as needed as women are the main caretakers in the country.

The Banouna Ba Foundation will be focusing on Kolda, which is one of the regions within Senegal with the highest illiteracy rate amongst women, which is the reason for which we are collecting educational material, and providing a library for girls to have a safe space to learn and exchange with other students in order to close the education gap in Kolda, particularly but not limited to girls.

Through this foundation we are hoping to provide the girls an opportunity for a better future as they could be able to further their education through these educational materials and contribute to the wellbeing of the elderly, future generation and the overall community in the country. With your help we could provide more books, computers, and softwares in order to support the children's academics from preschool to grade 12.

Welcome to the Banouna Ba Foundation's Library

Since our inception, the Banouna Ba Foundation's Library has welcomed over 1 million visitors, proudly supporting more than 2,500 students this year in their pursuit of academic excellence, including the Baccalauréat and BFEM (College Diploma).

Last year, we celebrated remarkable success, with 70% of our candidates achieving BFEM certification, and over 40% qualifying for university studies. Our dedicated team of 12 staff members, including 10 qualified volunteer teachers, is committed to fostering a nurturing educational environment.

We have invested in a state-of-the-art computer lab and an open space library, and we are now seeking support to expand with an additional floor to better serve our community of students.

While our initiative primarily focuses on girls' education, we are proud to report that 36% of our attendees are male, promoting a culture of inclusion and diversity that enriches community life. The success of our program is largely attributed to our commitment to free access, complimentary coaching, and mentoring for students, all within a clean, calm, and safe Knowledge Space tailored for the youth of Kolda.

We are honored to have the official support of the government education academy, ensuring that we continue to provide the highest quality of assistance to our students.

Join us in our mission to empower the next generation through education!

What we've built together

1M+
Total library visitors since our founding in 2011
2,500
Students supported this year in academic programs
70%
BFEM certification rate among our candidates
40%
Graduates qualifying for university studies

2024 Key Performance Indicators

Our Leaders

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Banouna Diallo
Banouna Diallo
Chairman of the Banouna Ba Foundation
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Diye Diao
Diye Diao
Managing Director of the Banouna Ba Foundation
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Amadou Diallo
Amadou Diallo
Advisor of the Banouna Ba Foundation
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Our Programs

View All Programs
🌍
Miss English Initiative

A recognition program that prepares young girls to master English — the language of international trade and opportunity.

🤝
Volunteer

If you're interested in volunteering as a teacher or teaching assistant start by applying here and attaching your resume. For any further inquiries contact info@banouna.com.

🎒
School Kit Distribution

Annual distribution of books, supplies, and materials ensuring no student is left behind due to lack of resources.

🎓
What is the Scholarship Program?

The Scholarship Program is designed to support orphan girls who have demonstrated excellence at school. The girls are selected by a committee consisting of various voluntary professors in order to be eligible for the scholarship which will support them throughout university studies until their masters degree. The only condition that they have to sign up to is to give forward to another girl through academic sponsorship.

Banouna Ba, 1945–1996

A grandmother's legacy

Banouna Ba was a woman of extraordinary generosity. In Kolda, she opened her home to children who had nowhere to study, feeding them, sheltering them, and sending them to school — asking for nothing in return.

On the 15th anniversary of her passing in 2011, this foundation was established in her honor. What began as a tribute became a movement.

Today, the foundation employs 12 staff members, including 10 volunteer teachers, and operates a library that has transformed academic outcomes for thousands of young people in one of Senegal's most underserved regions.

The Banouna Ba Foundation was founded in commemoration of the activities of Banouna who helped a large number of children in Kolda to further their studies while hosting them in her own family. Our Foundation was opened in 2011 on the 15th year anniversary of Banouna Ba's passing. I am personally driving this project because Banouna Ba is my Grandma after whom I'm also named, and who's name I proudly bear.

Upcoming Events

1–10 May 2026
Upcoming

Black Unity Bike Ride 2026 — Senegal

The Black Unity Bike Ride returns to Senegal, May 1st–10th 2026. A celebration of community, culture, and cycling — in partnership with the Banouna Ba Foundation.

Upcoming
19 Jul 2025

Orientation Professionnelle et Choix de Carrière

Bibliothèque Banouna Ba, derrière le Lycée Alpha Molo — ADET Académie, Association Banouna Ba & Légendary en collaboration avec le Cabinet VAD. Gratuite, à partir de 15h.

Completed
2025 Past Event

Senegal Cycling Tour — 3rd Edition

Kolda, the Cycling Capital — July 30th! Dakar → Fatick → Ndofane → Diaroume → Kolda → Tivaoune — 956 km over 6 days. Official welcome at the Banouna Bâ Library, school kit distribution, cultural performances, tree planting & community activities. We ride for Girls Education in Kolda.

Completed
2023 Past Event

Lady Maah Keita — Jazz Fusion Tour, Germany

Supporting the Cause for Albinos in Senegal. Albino girls deserve the same — if not better — opportunities. Tour dates across Köln, Aachen, Düsseldorf, Solingen, Ratingen, Frankfurt, Bonn, Honrath & Viersen. In partnership with Auswärtiges Amt, COSMO WDR, Banouna Ba Foundation & Goethe Institut.

Completed

Contact Us

Whether you want to volunteer, partner with us, make an inquiry, or simply learn more — we'd love to hear from you.

📍 Post Box 158, Kolda, Senegal — West Africa
📞 Tel: +221 33 881 52 11
📱 Mtel: +221 78 596 00 03
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Where is the Foundation based?

The foundation is based in Sikilo, Kolda in Senegal. Senegal has a size of 196,190 km², in which Kolda makes up 13,771 km² of that space.

Kolda is one of the most underserved regions in Senegal, with some of the highest illiteracy rates among women — which is precisely why the Banouna Ba Foundation chose to plant its roots here.

📍 Sikilo, Kolda, Senegal 12.8939° N, 14.9414° W
📢 News
🚴 Black Unity Bike Ride 2026 — Senegal  |  May 1st–10th 2026  |  In partnership with the Banouna Ba Foundation  |  We Ride for Girls Education in Kolda ✊ Black Unity Bike Ride is BACK — Join us in Senegal this May 2026  |  Community · Culture · Cycling 🚴 Black Unity Bike Ride 2026 — Senegal  |  May 1st–10th 2026  |  In partnership with the Banouna Ba Foundation  |  We Ride for Girls Education in Kolda ✊ Black Unity Bike Ride is BACK — Join us in Senegal this May 2026  |  Community · Culture · Cycling