Deep economic collaboration advocated by Senegal's Prime Minister towards Turkey
Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko is currently in Istanbul, where he is inviting Turkish companies to invest in various sectors as part of Senegal's drive to transform the country. During the Turkey-Senegal Business Forum, Sonko highlighted potential investment areas such as power generation, labor-intensive manufacturing, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, healthcare infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, biomedical equipment, and special economic zones like the Diass Special Economic Zone near Dakar.
Senegal's government aims to foster partnerships among the state, the private sector, and foreign investors to achieve its goals of sovereignty, social justice, and prosperity. The Invest in Senegal forum is scheduled for Oct. 7-8, and Sonko has expressed a desire for Senegal to host Turkish companies at this event.
The potential for greater cooperation between Turkey and Senegal has been acknowledged by both parties. Ousmane Sonko believes that there is significant potential for increased collaboration, although he did not specify in what areas. In recent years, Turkish contractors have completed 39 projects worth $2.2 billion in Senegal, with Turkish investors committing over $780 million to agriculture, mining, energy, and industrial services, creating tens of thousands of jobs for Senegalese citizens.
Turkish firms like Yamata Group, AVCI Global, Calik Holding, and Dakar Plasters – Duygu Insaat are among those involved in ongoing projects in Senegal. Yamata Group is planning to finance the SAR 2.0 project, AVCI Global is considering textile and uniform manufacturing complexes, Calik Holding is engaged in energy sector construction projects, and Dakar Plasters – Duygu Insaat aims to build a white cement factory.
Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko praised Turkey's significant investments in Senegal and welcomed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's goal of raising bilateral trade between the two countries to $1 billion. Further discussions are underway to expand cooperation in investment, trade, renewable energy, and the defense industry, with the ultimate aim of increasing trade between the two nations to $3 billion.
The deepening economic ties between Turkey and Senegal are seen as part of Senegal’s Vision 2050 development plan, which focuses on sovereignty and prosperity. The timing of the Türkiye-Senegal Business Forum is yet to be specified.
- Turkish firms, such as Yamata Group, AVCI Global, Calik Holding, and Dakar Plasters – Duygu Insaat, are not only involved in ongoing projects in Senegal, but they are also considering expanding their businesses in sectors like power generation, labor-intensive manufacturing, and healthcare infrastructure.
- As Senegal's government aims to foster partnerships among the state, the private sector, and foreign investors, the potential growth in the finance sector through Turkish investments could contribute significantly to the country's social justice and prosperity objectives.
- Considering the great potential for increased collaboration and the current investments in sectors like e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, biomedical equipment, and special economic zones like the Diass Special Economic Zone near Dakar, it would be beneficial for the environment and the health of Senegalese citizens if Turkish companies further invest in these areas.
