Senegal
Senegal is a West African country located on the Atlantic coast, bordered by Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south, and The Gambia, which forms an enclave within its territory. The capital is Dakar, a major port city and economic hub situated on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Senegal has a population of about 17-million people and operates as a presidential republic with a multiparty democratic system. The economy is diversified across agriculture, fishing, mining, services and light manufacturing, with key exports including phosphates, groundnuts, fish, petroleum products and gold. The currency is the West African CFA franc, shared with seven other members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union. Senegal is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) and the African Union. The mining sector has grown in significance, with production of mineral sands, phosphates, gold and emerging projects in zircon and other industrial minerals attracting international investment. Senegal gained independence from France in 1960 and has maintained relative political stability compared with many regional neighbours, fostering an environment conducive to foreign direct investment and regional trade. The country has strengthened its infrastructure and regulatory framework to support extractive industries and energy development, including offshore oil and gas discoveries in recent years.
Senegal Updates
JNIM’s blockade tactics threaten West Africa’s trade corridors
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 4th June 2026 Recent terror attacks across Mali have intensified JNIM’s blockades of vital transport routes connecting port cities to Sahelian capitals. On 25... →
Moderna and other groups get $60m to develop Ebola vaccine
By: Reuters 1st June 2026 Global health organisation CEPI will give roughly $60-million to Moderna and to two other groups to accelerate the development of shots against... →
The Gambia’s first Special Prosecutor: a non-Gambian?
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 29th May 2026 To achieve justice and reconciliation, the Special Prosecutor must ensure that accountability appears neither distant nor external to victims. On 9... →
Daily Podcast – May 26, 2026
By: Reza Creamer 26th May 2026 Making headlines: Ramaphosa challenges panel report on Phala Phala scandal in court; ANC condemns anti-immigrant vigilantism, but validates South... →
Senegal parliament elects ousted prime minister Sonko as speaker
By: Reuters 26th May 2026 Senegal's parliament elected ousted prime minister Ousmane Sonko as speaker on Tuesday, a move that could give him a powerful platform to challenge... →
Firebrand PM's departure complicates Senegal IMF talks, heightens bondholder risk
By: Reuters 26th May 2026 Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's dismissal of a government headed by a firebrand critic of the International Monetary Fund gives fresh... →
Sustainable development powered by renewables: Senegal
22nd May 2026 This study, focussing on Senegal, forms part of a series of evaluations of the application of innovative solutions to drive sustainable growth... →
Seeking Sexual Freedom
20th May 2026 Part-travelogue, part-manifesto and part-workbook, Seeking Sexual Freedom is a powerful and bold call to sexual liberation. While working on her... →
Agriculture in Africa: science and research can’t make an impact without investment and good policies
14th May 2026 Agriculture is the lifeblood of Africa. More than 60% of African households depend directly or indirectly on the land for their livelihoods. And... →
African leaders push for risk pricing rethink, fresh investment at France Africa summit
By: Reuters 11th May 2026 African leaders will use a two‑day summit in Nairobi with French President Emmanuel Macron to make a fresh push on rethinking how to price risk on... →
