The Republic of Senegal celebrates its National Day, which falls on April 4th every year, coinciding with the anniversary of the country’s independence in 1960, after the end of the union with Mali and the declaration of the independent Republic of Senegal. The capital, Dakar, and major cities witness official and popular events that include military parades, cultural activities, and popular festivals that reflect the national identity.

Egypt and Senegal: Economic and investment cooperation that promotes joint development

Coinciding with Senegal’s National Day, Zoom Africa News highlights the economic relations between Egypt and Senegal, as Dakar is one of Cairo’s most important trading partners in the West African region, and an important gateway to the markets of the ECOWAS countries.

Trade between Egypt and Senegal in 2023 amounted to approximately $124 million, including approximately $123.2 million in Egyptian exports to Senegal and approximately $800,000 in imports to Egypt from Senegal, according to the Egyptian State Information Service.

Egypt participated strongly in the opening of the 33rd session of the Dakar International Trade Fair (FIDAK), which was held in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, at the end of last year. The Egyptian pavilion witnessed a distinguished participation this year, as 20 Egyptian companies participated within the official pavilion of the Egyptian General Authority for Exhibitions and Conferences, which was located on an area of 240 m² in the Green Hall.

Senegal is Egypt's gateway to West African markets via the ECOWAS bloc.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the pavilion witnessed the participation of 8 companies through the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, in a step that reflects the state’s interest in empowering small projects and opening new export horizons for them in African markets.

The participating Egyptian companies represented a diverse range of sectors, including furniture, detergents, ready-made garments, leather goods, cookware and aluminum products, carpets and home furnishings, handicrafts, food products, essential oils, chemicals, and more. The Egyptian exhibits were very well received by visitors, who praised their quality, taste, and competitive prices, reflecting promising opportunities for increasing Egyptian exports to the Senegalese market in the coming period.

The Egyptian company “Celtal” is the crown jewel of Egyptian investments in Senegal, as Dr. Badr Abdel-Aty, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, inaugurated the Egyptian “Celtal” factory for the production of electrical appliances in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, last July, in the presence of Serigne Gaye Diop, Minister of Trade and Industry, and a number of Senegalese officials.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time, the factory embodies the Egyptian vision based on achieving joint development with brothers in Africa, which confirms the Egyptian state’s keenness to support Egyptian investments abroad, especially in African countries.