- Senegal and France open high-level talks on investment, trade and defence
- Debt crisis clouds Dakar’s push to renegotiate ties with its former colonial power
DAKAR, SENEGAL – Senegal and France have launched discussions aimed at resetting bilateral relations, with investment, trade, defence and security at the heart of the agenda, officials in Dakar said.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Wednesday and Thursday. The two leaders agreed to continue talks during an intergovernmental seminar in Dakar next month.
Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko had campaigned in 2024 on promises to review longstanding investment agreements with France, accusing Paris of perpetuating “colonial influences.” Nearly two years into his presidency, those pledges remain largely unfulfilled.
“Beyond Pastef, a lot of Senegalese are concerned or maybe don’t simply understand how things have evolved between their country and the former colonial power,” said Dakar-based economist Dr. Magaye Gaye. “They want answers. Pastef built their 2024 campaign around this concept and it was successful because they eventually won, thanks in large part to young voters.”
France remains Senegal’s top investor with more than 270 French companies employing over 31,000 people in the country, 86% of them Senegalese, according to the French Treasury.
Debt strains relations
Unlike Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, which have severed ties with Paris, Senegal has opted for pragmatism. Faye’s government says it wants “win-win” relations but faces tough negotiations given its debt crisis.
“Before you even get to that let’s talk about our debt. We need France to facilitate possible discussions on resolving Senegal’s debt, which is now almost 100% of GDP. And they are open to helping us,” Gaye said.
Senegal’s Court of Auditors estimates public debt near 100% of GDP, far above the 70% figure reported by the previous government. The IMF suspended its $1.8 billion programme in March 2025 after uncovering a “hidden debt” of $7 billion.
“This debt issue would likely come up during the bilateral talks, and Senegal doesn’t seem to have the cards. Dakar would need to play a delay tactics,” Gaye added.
