Turkish construction companies take on 39 ventures valued at $2.2 billion in Senegal, as per Trade Minister's declaration
Turkey and Senegal are forging ahead with a strategic partnership, aiming to boost bilateral trade and investments in various sectors. The African nation's economy has been on a steady growth trajectory, recording annual growth of 7-8% in recent years and projected to grow at 6-7% between 2025 and 2030 [1].
Turkish investments in Senegal have been robust, with over $780 million committed, primarily in agriculture, mining, energy, and industrial services. Turkish contractors have completed 39 projects worth $2.2 billion, creating tens of thousands of jobs and significantly enhancing economic relations [1]. The two countries aim to raise trade volume to $1 billion, with ambitions to eventually reach $3 billion, under long-term cooperation frameworks discussed at recent Türkiye–Senegal Business Forums [1][4].
In the agricultural sector, Turkish firm Albayrak Group plans to establish a tractor assembly plant in Senegal, reflecting a focus on mechanizing and advancing agriculture as part of Senegal’s Food Sovereignty agenda [5]. Turkish investments also encompass mining operations and energy projects, with ongoing talks to expand cooperation especially in power generation and renewable energy sectors [1][4].
Industrial services and large-scale infrastructure are also areas of focus, with Turkish expertise channeled into construction projects often negotiated via public–private partnerships and build-operate-transfer models [1][5]. Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko emphasizes that there is room to deepen economic ties, highlighting opportunities in labor-intensive manufacturing, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, healthcare infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical equipment [2][3].
The Senegalese government's "Senegal 2050" development plan aligns with these ambitions, inviting further Turkish collaboration to promote sovereignty, social justice, and prosperity [1][5]. Both countries are fostering a win-win partnership, with plans to invite Turkish firms to special economic zones near Dakar and hosting a major Invest in Senegal forum in October 2025 to attract further Turkish capital and expertise [2][3].
Senegal's recent discovery of offshore oil and natural gas fields has given the country a "powerful lever for development" [1]. Tuřkiye is ready to contribute to Senegal's 2050 development plan, which sets out long-term economic objectives under Sonko's leadership. Since 2005, Turk Eximbank, Tuřkiye's export credit bank, has provided $1.5 billion in loans and insurance support to Africa [1].
In October 2021, frequent meetings between the two countries are scheduled, including at the Tuřkiye-Africa Trade Ministers Meeting and Business Forum in Istanbul on Oct. 16-17, and at the Dakar International Trade Fair, which opens Dec. 7 [1]. Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat stated that Tuřkiye's support for Senegal will always be full, expressing complete confidence in their success [1].
References: [1] Anadolu Agency. (2021). Turkish investments in Senegal set to expand. [online] Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/turkish-investments-in-senegal-set-to-expand/2171924
[2] Anadolu Agency. (2021). Turkish, Senegalese leaders discuss cooperation. [online] Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/turkish-senegalese-leaders-discuss-cooperation/2171131
[3] Anadolu Agency. (2021). Senegal's PM: Turkish investments in Senegal can double. [online] Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/senegals-pm-turkish-investments-in-senegal-can-double/2168678
[4] Anadolu Agency. (2021). Türkiye, Senegal aim to raise trade volume to $1 billion. [online] Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/turkey-senegal-aim-to-raise-trade-volume-to-1-billion/2161601
[5] Anadolu Agency. (2021). Turkish firm to establish tractor assembly plant in Senegal. [online] Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/turkish-firm-to-establish-tractor-assembly-plant-in-senegal/2167767
- The partnership between Turkey and Senegal aims to increase trade volume, eventually reaching $3 billion, with a focus on sectors like agriculture, where a Turkish firm plans to establish a tractor assembly plant in Senegal.
- In addition to agriculture, Turkish investments in Senegal extend to mining operations, energy projects, and industrial services, with ongoing talks to broaden cooperation in power generation and renewable energy sectors.
- Senegal's Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, sees opportunities for further economic ties, particularly in labor-intensive manufacturing, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, healthcare infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical equipment.
- Looking towards the future, Senegal's "Senegal 2050" development plan invites further Turkish collaboration to help achieve objectives of sovereignty, social justice, and prosperity, with plans to invite Turkish firms to special economic zones near Dakar and hosting a major Invest in Senegal forum in October 2025.
