Enhancing economic relations between Vietnam and Senegal discussed at policy dialogue event
In a significant step forward for bilateral relations, a policy dialogue between the Vietnamese and Senegalese National Assemblies has highlighted numerous economic, trade, and investment opportunities for both countries. The event, held in Dakar on July 23, 2025, marked an important milestone in the partnership between the two nations.
Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn's visit to Senegal was the first by a senior Vietnamese leader since diplomatic ties were established in 1969, emphasizing a deepening and symbolic bond between the two nations.
Senegal is currently implementing its “Senegal Vision 2050” strategy, aiming for comprehensive development, and has expressed strong interest in Vietnamese participation in key sectors, especially digital transformation, agriculture, fisheries, food processing, renewable energy, and information technology. Vietnamese enterprises are actively exploring investment opportunities in Senegal in fields such as agriculture, telecommunications, science and technology, and digital transformation.
Senegal's strategic role as a gateway to African markets makes it an attractive destination for Vietnamese investors. Senegal imports significant quantities of rice from Vietnam (about 10% of its rice demand, approximately 100,000 tons annually), while exporting cashew nuts, aquatic products, fishmeal, and animal feed to Vietnam, pointing to existing complementary trade flows.
Both countries discussed enhancing the legal framework to facilitate bilateral cooperation, focusing on concluding key agreements such as an investment protection agreement and a double taxation avoidance agreement, which will encourage and secure mutual investments and trade. Senegal also proposed that Vietnam consider establishing a diplomatic mission in Dakar to strengthen ties further.
Official discussions involved not only the legislative bodies but also exchanges with the Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, National Assembly President Malick Ndiaye, and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, underscoring a comprehensive governmental commitment to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, and technology.
The policy dialogue represents a concerted effort to expand multi-sector cooperation, boost trade, and encourage investment flows between Vietnam and Senegal, leveraging their complementary economic strengths and strategic positions—Vietnam’s industrial and technological capabilities alongside Senegal’s emerging role in West Africa.
NA Chairman Mẫn suggested enhancing support for Vietnamese investors in Senegal and encouraging Senegalese enterprises to explore opportunities in Vietnam. The leader emphasized the strategic role of legislative bodies in creating a favorable legal framework for business and investment.
The dialogue was part of NA Chairman Mẫn's official visit to Senegal, during which he highlighted the potential for cooperation between the two nations in areas such as agriculture, telecommunications, digital infrastructure, mining, aquaculture, and construction. Vietnam is willing to cooperate in agricultural science-technology research and organize training courses to enhance the capacity of agricultural extension personnel, managers, and policy makers.
Participants discussed investment opportunities and new ways for cooperation in the coming time. NA Chairman Mẫn expressed hope that the agreements signed between ministries, sectors, enterprises, and corporations from both countries will be realized soon through specific cooperation programs. NA President Ndiaye underscored the significance of the event, calling it a milestone in the partnership between Vietnam and Senegal. He affirmed that the Vietnamese NA stands ready to support Senegalese firms to make investments in Vietnam across all sectors.
[1] Vietnam News Agency. (2025, July 24). [Vietnamese NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man's visit to Senegal]. Retrieved from https://vietnamplus.vn/tuyen-tran-thanh-man-toi-senegal/179258.vnp
[2] Senegalese Presidency. (2025, July 24). [Statement by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on the visit of Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man]. Retrieved from https://presidence.sn/fr/actualites/declaration-du-president-bassirou-diomaye-faye-sur-la-visite-du-president-du-conseil-permanent-du-parlement-vietnamien-tran-thanh-man
[3] Vietnam News Agency. (2025, July 25). [Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man meets with Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko]. Retrieved from https://vietnamplus.vn/tran-thanh-man-giau-quan-voi-pho-trong-quan-senegal-ousmane-sonko/179274.vnp
[4] Senegalese National Assembly. (2025, July 24). [Joint Statement of the 1st Meeting of the Vietnam-Senegal Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group]. Retrieved from https://www.assembleenationale.sn/fr/actualites/declaration-conjointe-du-1er-rencontre-du-groupe-d-amitie-parlementaire-vietnam-senegal
- The policy dialogue between the Vietnamese and Senegalese National Assemblies signifies a deepening bond between the two nations, symbolized by the first visit by a senior Vietnamese leader since diplomatic ties were established in 1969.
- Senegal's "Senegal Vision 2050" strategy has prompted strong interest from Vietnam in key sectors, particularly digital transformation, agriculture, fisheries, food processing, renewable energy, and information technology.
- Senegal's strategic position as a gateway to African markets makes it an attractive destination for Vietnamese investors, with significant quantities of rice imported from Vietnam.
- Both countries are focusing on facilitating bilateral cooperation, aiming to conclude key agreements such as an investment protection agreement and a double taxation avoidance agreement.
- The leaders discussed the strategic role of legislative bodies in creating a favorable legal framework for business and investment, and Senegal proposed establishing a diplomatic mission in Dakar to strengthen ties further.
- The dialogue represents a concerted effort to expand multi-sector cooperation, boost trade, and encourage investment flows, leveraging complementary economic strengths and strategic positions.
- NA Chairman Mẫn encouraged Senegalese enterprises to explore opportunities in Vietnam and proposed enhancing support for Vietnamese investors, emphasizing the role of legislative bodies.
- Participants discussed potential areas of cooperation in agriculture, telecommunications, digital infrastructure, mining, aquaculture, and construction, with Vietnam offering to cooperate in agricultural science-technology research and capacity building.
