The coronavirus crisis has significantly changed the economic situation in the country. GDP growth has slowed down after several years: from an average of 6.4% between 2015-2019, it fell to -0.4% in 2020. The restrictive measures resulting from the declaration of a state of emergency affected the drivers of the Senegalese economy: services (tourism and transport) and export.

The informal sector and the inflow of remittances were also severely affected. In 2020, the inflation rate, public debt and current account balance increased.

The main challenge for Senegal’s development will be to mitigate the socio-economic impacts of the current pandemic while promoting sustainable and inclusive long-term growth.

In April 2020, the government approved the Economic and Social Resilience Program in the fight against covid-19, financed from an international fund with EUR billion (approx. 7% of Senegal’s GDP). The plan was created mainly for the benefit of small and medium-sized enterprises (the backbone of the private sector employing 89% of the working population), with the aim of supporting spending in the health sector, the most vulnerable part of the population, suppliers of services and goods to the state, transport, hotel and agriculture sectors.

Modified post-pandemic priority action plan (PAP 2A) projects for XOF 12,125 billion (CZK 479 billion) from October 2020 are aimed at stimulating national and international investments and endogenous development, driven by the drive for dynamism and self-sufficiency of the food, health and pharmaceutical industries sector.

Due to the negative impact of the pandemic measures on young people, their applicability on the labor market is an acute challenge for the government, and a five-year LPSD plan with a provisional budget of XOF 112 billion (CZK billion) is being prepared in this direction.

Post-covid-19 opportunities for foreign exporters

The priorities of the 2nd stage of the Government Development Plan for 2019-2023 (PSE) include, among others, the development of the transport network, healthcare, modernization of agriculture, digitization, electrification, construction of 100,000 apartments, waste treatment and development of services. In the revised PAP 2A plan, development focuses on three strategic poles: 1) structural transformation of the economy and growth, 2) human capital, social protection and sustainable development, and 3) good governance, institutions and security.

The development of industry is identified in the government’s development plan as an important prerequisite for sustainable economic growth, job creation and provision of the basic needs of the population. Czech products, technologies and solutions have a very good reputation in Senegal, and mutual cooperation is developing not only in the field of infrastructure.

Transport industry and infrastructure

Between 2019-2023, the Senegalese government needs to ensure the financing and construction of many infrastructure projects and transport services that are necessary for the overall development of the territory.

These include, among other things, the reconstruction and construction of 1,520 km of new railway lines (the reconstruction of the Dakar–Tambacounda–Bamako line and the construction of other regional lines), the construction and reconstruction of roads and highways (Mbour–Fatick–Kaolack and Dakar–Thiès–Lompoul–Saint- Louis) and building bridges.

The renewal of the fleet of buses and minibuses for city and intercity transport (approx. 3 thousand units) is also expected in these five years. In the new PAP 2A program, the amount of investments in transport and infrastructure is estimated at XOF 1,068 billion (CZK 42 billion).

Energy industry

In the development strategy of the Senegalese government, the improvement of the energy situation is identified as one of the prerequisites for the development of the country and includes two major projects: an integrated plan for the recovery of energy and a plan for national coverage of energy until 2025.

According to allcountrylist, their goal is to strengthen production capacities, connect to the electricity grid, restore and expand transmission and distribution networks and rural electrification (300 villages). The amended PAP 2A envisages future financing in the energy sector in the amount of XOF 1,699 billion (CZK 67 billion).

At the beginning of 2021, the foundation stone of the future largest gas power plant with a capacity of 300 MW was laid. In Senegal, there is interest in projects strengthening production capacities and expanding transmission and distribution networks. The challenge is to increase the share of renewable resources (today approx. 20% of the total capacity).

Healthcare and pharmaceutical industry

The Senegalese government has formulated a National Program to improve the technical equipment of hospitals and other medical facilities. New hospitals and clinics are planned to be built, including teaching hospitals in Saint-Louis and Diamniadio.

The most significant is the “Dakar Medical City” project, which aims to build a high-quality medical center for the entire West African region, including the modernization of the Dakar Main Hospital to a world standard (400 beds) and the construction of laboratories for the production of yellow fever vaccines.

The PAP 2A plan envisages investments in the amount of XOF 1,023 billion (CZK 40 billion) and emphasis is also placed on maternal care and neonatology. In addition to medical equipment and devices, there is also interest in medicines and medical supplies in Senegal. The government has recently declared its interest in producing basic medicines and test kits in Senegal (also in cooperation with the Institut Pasteur in Dakar).

Agricultural and food industry

The Senegalese government supports the development of larger farms and family farming in order to achieve self-sufficiency in basic foodstuffs. There is also emphasis on peanut production and processing, rice cultivation, horticulture, dairying and aquaculture.

The volume of investments in agriculture based on the post-covid PAP 2A is estimated at XOF 1,195 billion (CZK 47 billion). In addition to the production of cereals, fruits and vegetables, it is equally important to ensure their processing. The challenge is to build a cold chain.

Contacts

Subchapters:

• Contacts to Czech embassies in the territory
• Practical telephone numbers (emergency services, police, firefighters, information lines, etc.)
• Important Internet links and contacts

Contacts at the embassies of the Czech Republic in the territory

Embassy of the Czech Republic in Senegal / Ambassade de la République tchèque au Sénégal

37, rue Jacques Bugnicourt
BP 6474 Dakar – Plateau
Sénégal

Tel.: +221 338 214 576
Fax: +221 338 214 578
E-mail: [email protected]

Working hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Note: The Embassy shares premises with the Embassy of the Netherlands

PaulTrade, CzechInvest, CzechTourism and Czech Centers are currently not represented in Senegal.

Practical telephone numbers (emergency services, police, firemen, information lines, etc.)

Emergency services (operating only in larger cities):
· Police: 17
· Firefighters: 18
· Police in Dakar: + 221 33 823 71 49 / 33 823 25 29
· Gendarmerie: +221 33 800 20 20
· Information in Dakar: 12 / 16

Medical emergency:
· SAMU: 1515 (extraordinary surgical and obstetric events)
· SOS Médecins: +221 33 889 15 15

Important web links and contacts

Important information sources:
· www.ansd.sn (National Office of Statistics and Demography)
· www.gouv.sn (Official website of the Government of Senegal)
· www.presidence.sn/ (Official website of the Office of the President)
· www.finances.gouv. sn/ (Ministry of Finance)
· www.cciad.sn (Chamber of Commerce)
· www.dpee.sn/ (Department of Planning and Economic Analysis of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, offers regular monthly reports on the economic situation in the country)
· www.investinsenegal.com – sites for investing in Senegal (APIX agency)
· www.seneweb.com (a selection of francophone press)
· www.bceao.int (Central Bank of West African States)
· www.izf.net (a practical guide for doing business in Senegal, necessary free registration)
· www.marchespublics.sn (public procurement)
· www.aps.sn/ (Press agency)

Further information on EU public procurement for Senegal can be obtained on the pages of development projects supported by the EU and announced by the European Commission or directly on the page of the European Commission dedicated to cooperation with Senegal.

The former anchorage of Portuguese explorers such as Vasco da Gama on the small island of Gorée across from Dakar gained notoriety as a base for the slave trade in West Africa. Today Gorée is a museum island and a memorial to slavery. See history of Senegal on behealthybytomorrow.

Gorée Island: facts

Official title:	Gorée Island
Cultural monument:	former anchorage of Portuguese explorers such as Vasco da Gama and the most important base for the slave trade in West Africa
Continent:	Africa
Country:	Senegal
Location:	Island in front of the capital Dakar
Appointment:	1978
Meaning:	a lasting reminder of the history of slavery

Gorée Island: history

1444	Occupation of the “Palm Island” by Portuguese troops
1492	Stopover by Columbus on the crossing to America
1588	after the defeat of the Portuguese-Spanish Armada, transition to the Netherlands
1663	Captured by English troops, lost to the Netherlands a year later
1677	after the conquest by French associations the most important port for the shipping of slaves
1678-1815	multiple changes between English and French rule
1776-78	Construction of the slave house
until 1848	Shipping of an estimated 10 million slaves; thereafter prohibition of slavery

Slave trade at the “Goede Roads”

Pounding through the waves, the ferry approaches the landing stage and anchors like the first Dutch merchant ships in the “Goede Roads”, the anchorage of the former slave island. A lively, fun-loving atmosphere welcomes newcomers. Children jump from the balustrade and swim towards the beach to screams of joy and laughter. A touch of grilled fish and beignets, donuts baked in peanut oil, pushes towards the newcomers. The first glance falls on the right at the former fort, then at the mighty fort, whose cannons have long since ceased to be aimed at the Atlantic. Decades have passed since the Vichy government used such military force to prevent General de Gaulle from landing in Dakar. A second glance discovers the silhouette of the Provencal-looking colonial houses. Even with little imagination, one can imagine the bustle of activity on the landing stage a hundred years ago, when boxes and barrels were constantly being carried ashore, proud “Signares” strolled on the beach and representatives of the trading houses gesticulating to negotiate lucrative deals.

For five centuries, Gorée was an important European trading center for ivory, leather and, last but not least, slaves. Sailing over from the Cape Verde Islands, the Portuguese landed first, followed by countless desperados and adventurers from all over the world. At the beginning of the 16th century the “Goede Roadstead” was sold to the Dutch, only to finally pass into French hands in the 19th century after decades of armed conflict between the French and the English. Because of its mild climate, the respective colonial officials valued the island as a resort, and it is still a popular destination for residents of Dakar and holidaymakers from overseas. There is little time to lose yourself in thoughts of past centuries. Thanks to the exuberant atmosphere on the slowly emptying ferry, you are quickly brought back to the present. Everyone is pushing off the ship. Baskets and bags of the islanders, filled with purchases from Dakar, go from hand to hand. You greet and hug as if you had just finished a long sea voyage. The latest gossip from the mainland is told, laughing and gesticulating. The siren of the returning ferry dominates the moment before the crowd disperses and the visitor only hears the crunch of the sand under his feet. The latest gossip from the mainland is told, laughing and gesticulating. The siren of the returning ferry dominates the moment before the crowd disperses and the visitor only hears the crunch of the sand under his feet. The latest gossip from the mainland is told, laughing and gesticulating. The siren of the returning ferry dominates the moment before the crowd disperses and the visitor only hears the crunch of the sand under his feet.

Behind the landing stage, narrow, cobbled streets lead across the island. Overhanging, red-violet bougainvilleas gently bob in the wind. Through ajar gates you can see green inner courtyards full of life. It is believed that here and there proud “Signares” with their elegant headscarves and brightly colored dresses come across. They belonged to the wealthy, influential islanders who were married to wealthy European merchants according to the »mode du pays«.

From the outside, the “slave house” seems to have no particular charm. However, if you step through the dark gate into the sun-drenched inner courtyard, you are taken by the atmosphere of the place. A staircase curved in the shape of a horseshoe on both sides leads to the upper floor. There they dined like a prince, laughed and bargained for exquisite slaves. The floorboards were roughly timbered, so that the prisoners living in the basement in their dark, narrow dungeons involuntarily had to take part in the goings-on of the slave traders. How many millions of slaves left Gorée through the “door of no return”? If you are here and understand that people have been abducted, the polemical “numbers game” becomes irrelevant. The island breathes history everywhere. Also in the former prison, today’s Musée d’Histoire du Sénégal, illuminates this dark past. But the island also sees itself as “Gorée la Joyeuse”, as “Gorée die Fröhliche”, a warm-hearted “Goede Roadstead” that is beyond time.