UAE Strengthens Economic Ties With Senegal Through Strategic Meetings And Agreements

Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, recently visited Senegal to strengthen ties. He met with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, conveying the UAE's leadership's best wishes for Senegal's prosperity. The visit aimed to explore trade and investment opportunities between the two nations.

During his stay, Dr. Al Zeyoudi engaged with various government ministries to discuss enhancing bilateral relations. The focus was on key sectors like renewable energy, infrastructure, and food security. These discussions aimed at fostering collaboration and driving economic growth between the UAE and Senegal.

The UAE is committed to expanding its economic partnerships with Senegal and other African nations. Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasized this commitment by reaffirming the UAE's dedication to enhancing private sector collaboration across Africa's rapidly growing economies. This aligns with the UAE's broader strategy of fostering international economic ties.

In separate meetings, Dr. Al Zeyoudi discussed cooperation avenues with several key ministers in Senegal. These included Cheikh Diba from Finance and Budget, Sergine Mbaye from Health and Public Hygiene, Alioune Sall from Communication and Digital Economy, Serigne Guèye Diop from Industry and Trade, Dethie Fall from Infrastructure, and Mabouba Diagne from Agriculture.

The visit resulted in 13 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) being signed across various sectors such as energy, logistics, mining, industrial development, digital technologies, construction, and healthcare. These agreements aim to bolster economic cooperation between the two countries.

The UAE-Senegal economic partnership is robust, with non-oil trade reaching $933 million in the first nine months of 2025—a 21.1% increase year-on-year. This growth underscores the potential for further economic engagement between both nations.

Expanding Trade Relations

The discussions also focused on deepening economic cooperation under the UAE's Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) program. This initiative aims to expand trade and investment flows with high-growth economies worldwide, including Africa.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi stated: "The UAE is dedicated to expanding its relations with Senegal and the broader African continent. By strengthening our partnerships, we can drive sustainable economic growth and unlock new possibilities for both our nations."

Africa's Economic Potential

Africa holds significant potential for economic growth, which the UAE aims to tap into through ongoing partnerships. In 2024 alone, non-oil trade between the UAE and African countries reached USD$112 billion—a 34% increase compared to 2023.

The UAE is Africa’s largest source of new foreign direct investment (FDI), having invested over $110 billion across the continent from 2019 to 2024. These investments are part of efforts to support sustainable development initiatives that benefit both regions economically.

The visit highlighted mutual interests in enhancing trade relations while exploring new opportunities for collaboration in various sectors. The ongoing dialogue between the UAE and Senegal reflects a shared vision for future prosperity through strengthened partnerships.

With inputs from WAM