On October 29, 2026, Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export Development Samir Oubid and Senegalese Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Sidna Abou Bakar Sadik Ndaiye co-chaired the Tunisia-Senegal Partnership Meeting. The event, held at the Dar El Masdar, brought together representatives from administrative and professional structures from both countries. Minister Oubid emphasized Senegal's significant position as Tunisia's second-largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.
The meeting highlighted Tunisia's diverse exports to Senegal, including over 200 products from more than 150 Tunisian companies. Olive oil and dates are among the top exports, showcasing Tunisia's competitive capabilities and high-quality products. Despite these positive indicators, Minister Oubid noted that the current levels of trade exchanges and cooperation relationships do not meet the aspirations of both countries. He called for joint efforts to elevate these relationships to higher levels.
Over 50 Tunisian companies are active in the Senegalese market, bringing valuable experiences that can help build new relationships and capitalize on available opportunities. Minister Oubid invited Senegalese companies to invest in Tunisia and strengthen partnerships with their Tunisian counterparts. He emphasized the importance of support institutions, such as the Export Promotion Center and Chambers of Commerce, in enhancing cooperation and trade.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was identified as a suitable platform for achieving tangible results in promoting economic exchanges between Tunisia and Senegal. Minister Oubid suggested that Senegal can serve as a gateway for Tunisian companies into West Africa, while Tunisia can be a gateway for Senegalese companies into European and Mediterranean markets.
To achieve these goals, Minister Oubid outlined several priorities, including preparing a roadmap for institutional partnerships, identifying model projects, intensifying business meetings, and establishing a monitoring mechanism to evaluate progress and address challenges. He expressed Tunisia's willingness to share its expertise and experiences with Senegal to develop economic relationships and enhance production capacities.
Senegalese Secretary General Sidna Abou Bakar Sadik Ndaiye emphasized the need to develop economic exchanges and cooperation relationships between the two countries, creating new investment opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties. He highlighted the role of professional structures, Chambers of Commerce, and the private sector in achieving these objectives.
The partnership meeting aimed to strengthen economic ties between Tunisia and Senegal, promoting trade exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including food industries, pharmaceuticals, and services. The two countries seek to leverage their comparative advantages and enhance their economic relationships to create jobs and stimulate growth.
Key points
- Tunisia and Senegal aim to strengthen economic partnership through increased trade exchanges and cooperation.
- The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is seen as a platform to promote economic exchanges between the two countries.
- Over 50 Tunisian companies are active in the Senegalese market, with potential for further investment and partnership.
