Tunisia and Senegal are seeking to strengthen their economic cooperation, particularly in the olive oil sector. The talks took place during the promotional days of Tunisian olive oil in Dakar, Senegal, from October 7 to 9, 2026. The discussions were led by Senegal's Minister of Industry and Trade, Serigne Gueye Diop, and a Tunisian delegation. The meetings aimed to identify areas of cooperation and establish partnerships between economic actors in both countries.
Minister Diop announced a forthcoming official visit to Tunisia in late October 2026, focusing on enhancing trade relations and developing economic partnerships. He emphasized the importance of exchanging expertise and establishing partnerships covering various stages of the value chain, from processing to marketing. The visit aims to build on the existing cooperation between the two countries and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
The promotional days of Tunisian olive oil in Dakar included institutional and technical meetings with Senegalese authorities. The goal was to determine areas of cooperation and establish practical partnerships between economic actors in both countries. The Tunisian Center for the Promotion of Exports and the Senegalese Agency for the Promotion of Exports, which have a memorandum of understanding, discussed transforming their cooperation into a three-year action plan.
The action plan would involve organizing reciprocal business missions, sectoral business meetings, and exchanging market information. The plan aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries and promote their economic interests. Tunisia's Ambassador to Senegal, not specified in the text, and other officials attended the meetings.
The discussions also covered the exchange of expertise and technical skills, particularly in quality control and team training. Tunisia shared its expertise in modern processing and refining techniques, analysis standards, and quality control. This cooperation aims to support Senegal's efforts to develop its industrial processing and valorize its peanut production.
The two countries explored cooperation in packaging, labeling, and environmentally friendly packaging. They also discussed mechanisms to support small and medium-sized enterprises, enabling them to enhance their products and increase their competitiveness in local and export markets. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to strengthen economic ties between Tunisia and Senegal.
The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement was also discussed. The talks focused on the gradual opening of markets, rules of origin, and coordination between the two countries. The goal is to facilitate access to each other's markets and develop regional value chains, ultimately increasing trade within the African continent.
Key points
- Tunisia and Senegal are strengthening economic cooperation, particularly in the olive oil sector.
- The two countries aim to establish practical partnerships and exchange expertise in various areas.
- The cooperation is part of a broader effort to promote economic integration within the African continent.
