Senegal: Defense Sector Insights & Industry Opportunities
A detailed overview of Senegal’s defense acquisitions, military capabilities, and security needs.
Past and ongoing procurement deals, key international partners, and outlines specific opportunities for defense industry engagement.
Economic Landscape
Key indicators, structural challenges, and projections for future growth.
Procurement Patterns
- 10+ years of acquisition data with partner profiles (France, Turkey, China, Israel, and more).
Opportunities
Targeted recommendations for engagement, including in space, drone, and maritime domains.
Chapter I: Domestic Politics
Brief Historical Context
Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, gained independence from France in April 1960. French remains the official language, and the country’s political culture is heavily influenced by its colonial past. Senegal is considered one of the most successful post-colonial democracies in Africa, despite experiencing a period of one-party rule, however the country has suffered no military coups, a fact that distinguishes it from its West African neighbours. Over the past decade, the country has emerged as a lower middle-income nation, driven by significant government investments in infrastructure, including new airports, highways, and offshore oil and gas projects. Senegal’s commitment to regional and global cooperation, along with its secular political culture modelled after the French system, has enabled it to avoid the military coups that have plagued other West African countries.
Notable moments in Senegal’s political history include the peaceful transitions of power, such as the election of President Abdoulaye Wade in 2000, ending 40 years of Socialist Party dominance. Similarly, the smooth transitions following the 2012 and 2024 elections underscored the country’s political stability. Senegal’s constitution safeguards democratic principles, prohibiting political parties formed on the basis of ethnic or religious identity, ensuring inclusive political participation.
Recent historical factors also shape the country’s current landscape, including the ongoing Casamance separatist conflict and constitutional reforms enacted under various administrations to either consolidate power or enhance governance. In March 2024, opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye won the presidency, becoming the youngest president in Senegalese history.
Current Power Holders
Senegal operates as a unitary presidential republic, with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the helm following his March 2024 election. Faye’s victory represented a political shift from the previous ruling coalition, but the presidency continues to hold the most significant power, while the legislative and judicial branches remain somewhat subordinate. Senegal’s 165-member National Assembly also plays a role in governance, though political power is concentrated in the executive, sparking concerns about the balance of power in the country.
While President Faye holds executive authority, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko also exerts significant influence. Senegal’s political system is characterised by personalistic parties that revolve around individual figures rather than well-defined programs, leaving political organisations vulnerable to changes in leadership. The judiciary, although constitutionally independent, is widely perceived to be influenced by the executive branch, raising concerns over judicial autonomy.
Non-governmental actors, especially religious leaders from the country’s influential Muslim brotherhoods, also play a key role in shaping politics. The Mouride brotherhood, particularly powerful in Touba, holds significant sway, often overshadowing state control in the region. This intertwining of religious and political authority is a defining feature of Senegal’s socio-political landscape.
Recent Political Developments
The March 2024 presidential election marked a historic victory for opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who ran on a platform advocating Pan-Africanism and political reform. Faye’s coalition has proposed reducing the president’s broad powers, introducing impeachment mechanisms for serious misconduct, and fostering regional cooperation with West African nations. These reforms signal a departure from former President Macky Sall’s leadership, which had faced criticism for concentrating power and undermining democratic institutions.
Faye’s left-wing pan-Africanist coalition has also sparked discussions about Senegal’s foreign policy, particularly its relationship with France. While some in Faye’s camp support renegotiating oil and gas contracts to secure more favourable terms for Senegal, Faye himself has reassured foreign investors, emphasising the need to maintain strong international relationships while focusing on domestic economic empowerment.
One of Faye’s more controversial proposals is a monetary reform aimed at replacing the CFA franc with a new national currency, a move designed to strengthen Senegal’s economic sovereignty and reduce dependency on foreign powers. Despite concerns from investors, Faye has committed to implementing the reform gradually, beginning with regional consultations.
Outlook for the Future
In the short term, Senegal’s political landscape will be shaped by President Faye’s ambitious reform agenda, which seeks to curb executive power, enhance judicial independence, and strengthen regional cooperation. Key issues to watch include how Faye navigates the balance between his pan-African vision and maintaining stable relations with key foreign partners like France and the United States. The debate over replacing the CFA franc with a national currency will also play a crucial role in shaping Senegal’s international relationships and economic stability.
The 2024 parliamentary elections will be a critical juncture, determining whether Faye’s coalition can maintain control of legislative institutions or whether opposition forces will gain momentum. Internal political tensions, particularly related to the unresolved Casamance conflict, will continue to require careful management.
Chapter II: Economic Situation
Outlook for the Future
Senegal is among the relatively better-off countries in sub-Saharan Africa in terms of its GDP, which in nominal per capita terms stands at 1 746 USD. More than half of the GDP is derived from services, which account for 59 %, with 24 % coming from industry and 17 % from agriculture. Export accounts for 27 % of GDP, signalling a moderately high openness of its economy.
The largest export commodities are refined petroleum, gold and phosphoric acid, all making up 13-15 % of exports, followed by agricultural products, such as fish. The main export markets are an interesting mix, and include Mali, India, the United States, China and Switzerland (a major importer of Senegalese gold). Imports are concentrated around oil, cars, as well as electronics and food, mainly rice and wheat, coming mainly from India, China and Western Europe.
Senegal is currently recovering from a combination of economic shocks which left it dependent on several different IMF programmes. The country enjoys strong economic growth, projected to exceed 10 % in 2024 and 2025, while inflation has been successfully brought down, to a level of circa 2 %.
The problem for Senegal is its dual current account and public finance deficit. The current account deficit was brought down from almost 20 % in 2022 to a more manageable level of around 6 % in 2024, and is projected to hover above 4 % in the years to come, which is going to continue putting pressure on currency reserves. This is accompanied by a fiscal deficit, which is projected to decrease below 4 % in 2024. The country’s overall debt reaches 73 % of GDP, a very high share for a poor country, while some 56 % of the debt is owed to foreign creditors, presumably in foreign currencies, which is particularly dangerous, even though in the last few years, the largest source of foreign funding were concessional loans from the IMF and the World Bank. The IMF is nevertheless cautiously optimistic and expects the country to avoid insolvency due to growing oil exports.
Chapter III: Geopolitics
Strategic Importance
Senegal’s location on the westernmost point of Africa, bordering five countries – Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia – gives it significant strategic importance. The country’s 700 km Atlantic coastline enhances its role as a key player in West African geopolitics, facilitating trade and regional security efforts. Dakar, the political and economic hub, is vital for West African trade, serving as a transit point between Europe, the Americas, and Africa.
This strategic positioning places Senegal in a critical role in counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel, a region grappling with insurgencies and political instability. Its deep-water ports, such as Dakar’s, are pivotal for trade, contributing to Senegal’s economic development and making it a favoured destination for international investment.
As one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, Senegal is an attractive base for international organisations and military operations, including the presence of French troops and U.S. marines, supporting peacekeeping and counterterrorism operations.
Global Partnerships
Senegal has cultivated strong partnerships with major global powers, including the United States, China, and Russia. However, France, as its former coloniser, remains its most significant partner, serving as Senegal’s largest foreign investor and development aid provider. French companies like Orange and BNP Paribas maintain a strong presence in Senegal, and France continues to play a key role in Senegal’s security, particularly in the Sahel.
Simultaneously, Senegal has deepened ties with China, becoming part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has brought significant Chinese investments in infrastructure projects. China has rapidly become Senegal’s second-largest trading partner, and military cooperation between the two countries has strengthened Senegal’s peacekeeping capabilities.
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