The relationship between London and Dakar has significantly expanded in recent years, driven by a surge in trade and investment. In an interview with L'Observateur, the UK Ambassador to Dakar, Carine Robarts, estimates that the volume of trade now stands at nearly 700 billion CFA francs, four times more than in 2020. Meanwhile, more than 50 British companies are active in the country, representing a total of 2.795 trillion CFA francs in investments.

The launch of the Chamber of Commerce

The diplomat, who announced the launch of the British Chamber of Commerce on April 27, sees it as "both the culmination of a burgeoning economic partnership and a strategic turning point." According to the interviewee for the Groupe Futurs Médias newspaper, this institution "offers a unique framework for accelerating British investment in Senegal, strengthening public-private dialogue, and reaffirming business commitment." She further explained that the objective is "to move from a donor role to that of partner and investor, supporting African priorities."

Energy and Infrastructure: Structuring Projects

This momentum is particularly evident in the energy sector, where the UK has established itself as the leading foreign investor. Nearly £1.639 trillion has been mobilized through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to achieve 40% renewable energy by 2030, while £18 billion has been invested in solar power plants, notably in Bokhol. The port of Ndayane is also presented as a key infrastructure project capable of increasing GDP by 3% and generating approximately 22,000 jobs by 2035.

In the health sector, approximately 100 billion was mobilized for the MADIRA vaccine factory at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar, reinforcing Senegal's position as a "regional hub for the pharmaceutical industry".

Finally, the economic and social benefits are already visible, with more than 2,000 jobs created by West Africa Farms, 1,477 telecom sites deployed by Helios Towers connecting approximately 13 million Senegalese, and agricultural initiatives integrating more than 850 small farmers, illustrating the desire to promote "the emergence of a more structured, more inclusive private sector focused on creating local value."