Around 10 Tunisian companies producing and exporting olive oil recently held approximately 200 bilateral meetings with buyers and suppliers in Dakar, Senegal. The meetings aimed to explore opportunities to enhance Tunisia's commercial presence in the Senegalese market and open new outlets in West Africa. The events took place during the first edition of the Tunisian Olive Oil Days in Senegal, held from October 7 to 9, 2026.
The meetings enabled Tunisian institutions to showcase their products and discuss conditions for accessing the local market, including prices, volumes, packaging, and distribution channels. The event's program included an opening conference attended by over 100 Senegalese economic actors, as well as collective and individual visits led by Tunisian companies to purchasing centers and major buyers. This allowed them to familiarize themselves with the adopted quality and logistics standards.
The event also featured a networking evening that brought together economic actors from both countries. During the evening, a Senegalese chef prepared a traditional dish called "Yassa" using Tunisian olive oil, highlighting its uses in Senegalese cuisine. This initiative aims to promote Tunisian olive oil and increase its visibility in the Senegalese market.
The Tunisian Olive Oil Days in Senegal is part of the "Support for the African Continental Free Trade Area" project, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The project is implemented by the German Development Cooperation Agency in partnership with the Tunisian Ministry of Trade and Export Development.
The promotional mission was led by the Center for the Promotion of Exports, in coordination with the Tunisian Embassy in Dakar, and with the participation of the National Olive Oil Office and the Technical Center for Packaging and Labeling. The event provided a platform for Tunisian companies to promote their products and explore new business opportunities in Senegal.
According to the organizers, the event was a success, with many Tunisian companies expressing interest in expanding their presence in the Senegalese market. The event also provided an opportunity for Senegalese economic actors to learn more about Tunisian olive oil and its quality standards.
The Tunisian olive oil sector is a significant contributor to the country's economy, and the government is keen to support its development. The Ministry of Trade and Export Development is working to promote Tunisian products abroad, including olive oil, through various initiatives and events.
Key points
- Tunisian companies hold nearly 200 meetings with Senegalese buyers and suppliers to promote olive oil sales
- Event aims to boost Tunisia's commercial presence in Senegalese market and expand into West Africa
- Initiative part of "Support for the African Continental Free Trade Area" project commissioned by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
