February 15th, 2021

China-Senegal bilateral ties deepens

By : AfriChat

Senegal is one of the Francophone countries whose political, economic life used to be virtually dominated by France. That has changed since China launched a more determined bilateral tie with Africa, thereby reducing France to a minor player in most West African countries.

By virtue of the strong bilateral relationship now existing between Senegal and China, this West African country is currently co-chair of the biggest and most influential gathering among all Africa’s international summits- Forum On China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). And, preparations are in top gear for the triennial FOCAC summit holding in Dakar this 2021.
The success of China in Africa generally, has been attributed to their recognition of the needs of countries in the continent, especially with regard to infrastructural growth which they satisfy with their strength; mostly technological.

Initially, China appeared uninterested to launch into francophone markets in West Africa, but in recent times, we’ve seen that change. For more than a decade after China resumed diplomatic relations with Senegal, the Asian country has maintained a crucial position in Senegal’s political and trade relationships.

The two countries’ bilateral trade is said to top a billion dollars, thanks to Chinese imports. Even that now, is changing drastically as there are indications that Beijing has been mapping out strategies to establish a more robust and sustainable affiliation with Senegal by increasing levels of Chinese investment.

Senegal became the first West African country invited by China to join the Belt and Road Initiative through which China has now driven a commendable infrastructural development in the continent. That was followed by the first Sino-Senegalese summit on how to expand trade, investment and infrastructural development.

During a visit to Senegal by Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, Senegalese President Macky Sall said the “Senegal-China relationship is dynamic, practical and effective, hailing it as a model”. He added that the “Senegalese side hopes to further deepen cooperation with China in various fields”.

Trade between the two countries according to Chinese Embassy in Senegal, reached $2.27 billion in 2018, and increased in 2019, with more businessmen and women from Senegal, making good use of available opportunities in China and vice versa. The inauguration of the Chinese-built Diamniadio Industrial Park which is about 30 km from Dakar, and the opening of the Museum of Black Civilizations, the Thies-Touba, Dakar-Mbour and Dakar-Thies highways, the Grand Theater in Dakar, and the Children Hospital in Diamniadio, as well as the construction of the first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) serving the Senegalese capital and its suburbs, all elicited positive responses from Senegalese authorities. In addition, Senegal is said to be counting on “China for the construction of sports facilities for the organization of the Youth Olympic Games in 2022”.

In 2019, Dakar hosted an international seminar on China-Africa Cooperation and the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, BRI, which the Senegalese Minister of Infrastructure, Oumar Youm said, “meets the real needs of China and African countries”, adding that it mirrors the “sincere and firm commitment of both parties to building together a common destiny even stronger and more prosperous”.

To further strengthen ties with Senegal, the Chinese Embassy in Senegal in 2019, granted scholarships to not more than 48 Senegalese students while local Confucius Institute students competed in the Senegal country final of the 18th edition of the worldwide “Chinese Bridge” contest.

The Senegal-China relationship has also received a boost through cultural exchanges. There has been a concerted effort towards the promotion of both countries’ culture and showcasing the China development narrative. In that regard, the Museum of Black Civilizations Shanghai University hosted an interesting exhibition themed, “The emergence of the Chinese countryside through development.

While many hail the level of mutual benefits enjoyed by China and Senegal, individuals such as Professor Ahamadou Aly Mbaye of Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, believes more needs to be done especially on the part of Senegal. According to him, Senegalese do not have an adequate policy plan for how to best engage the Chinese. Meanwhile, Chinese stakeholders are in Senegal with detailed plans for investment and infrastructure development. It appears to citizens like Prof Mbaye that Senegal and most African countries are unfortunately getting neck-deep into Chinese loans without adequate plans on how best to engage their creditor for better results.

The FOCAC Summit holding this year in Dakar, is, however, a big opportunity for Senegal to re-assess its relationship with China and, identify more possible ways through which it will benefit more from their affiliation so as to drive development both infrastructural and otherwise.