In a significant diplomatic engagement, Senegal’s President Macky Sall met with Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, to explore avenues for enhancing the bilateral trade and investment partnership between their nations. The discussions, which took place in Dakar, aimed to identify new collaborative opportunities in sectors of mutual interest, fostering sustainable economic growth for both parties.
Strengthening Economic Ties
At the outset of their meeting, Dr Al Zeyoudi conveyed the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He underscored the UAE’s hopes for continued prosperity and development for Senegal and its people.
President Sall reciprocated by sending his regards to the UAE leadership, expressing appreciation for the long-standing relations between the two countries. He voiced a strong desire to further strengthen ties, particularly in trade and investment.
Boosting Trade and Investment
Both leaders acknowledged the importance of enhancing trade flows, encouraging reciprocal investments, and expanding interaction between their business communities. Such efforts are essential for enabling private sectors in both countries to benefit from promising opportunities in diverse fields, including mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, food security, and logistics.
Dr Al Zeyoudi remarked, “Senegal is a vital strategic partner for the UAE in the West Africa region. By deepening our cooperation in mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, food security, and logistics, we can stimulate new trade and investment flows, enhance integration between our business communities, and contribute to sustainable economic growth that benefits both nations and their peoples.” He noted that the value of non-oil trade between the UAE and Senegal had already witnessed a remarkable growth rate of 24.5%, reaching AED 4.7 billion in 2025, with an impressive AED 2.8 billion recorded in the first half of 2026, reflecting a 31% increase compared to previous periods.
Engagement and Future Collaborations
As part of the “UAE Trade Days,” Dr Al Zeyoudi led a delegation that included government officials, business leaders, and representatives from several Emirati companies to Senegal. The UAE delegation held multiple meetings with senior government officials, investors, and private sector representatives in Dakar to discuss enhancing trade and investment collaboration and to explore investment opportunities.
Through these initiatives, both countries aim to solidify their economic relationships, paving the way for future growth and mutual prosperity.