Senegal Touts Itself As Malaysia’s Gateway To Africa, Eyes Stronger Halal, Digital Partnerships

By Noor Bakthtiar Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 (Bernama) -- Senegal has called on Malaysia to strengthen its role as a strategic partner in West Africa, particularly in the halal industry, digital economy, and infrastructure, while positioning Dakar as Malaysia’s entry point into the African continent.

Senegal’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Abdoulaye Barro, said that his country is ready to leverage its status as a hub within both the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a common market of almost 500 million people.

“Senegal is the most western part in Africa. It is six hours to New York, five to Paris, nine to the Middle East, and also nine to South Africa. We belong to ECOWAS, 500 million people, and to the African Union, 1.4 billion. So Senegal is a gateway, and we want Malaysians to take advantage of this position,” he said.

He said this during Bernama TV’s The Nation: Diplomatic Dispatch programme titled “Bridging Continents: Malaysia & Senegal,” aired on Tuesday.

Barro stressed that Senegal, where 95 per cent of the population are Muslims, intends to position itself as a halal hub for West and sub-Saharan Africa.

He said Malaysia is seen as a natural partner in this sector due to its global reputation in halal certification and trade.

“We identify Malaysia as a key partner in that sector. With MIHAS (Malaysia International Halal Showcase) being the first fair on halal industry worldwide, we want to work with Malaysia and position Senegal as a hub of halal industry in our region,” Barro said.

On trade, Barro noted that Malaysia’s exports to Senegal in 2024 totalled RM1.35 billion, dominated by palm oil, microprocessors, and cosmetics, while Senegal’s exports to Malaysia stood at RM14.1 million consisting mainly of seafood and peanuts.

“When you look to the commercial balance between the two countries, it is definitely in favour of Malaysia. But there is room for progress for both sides. We want to increase the volume of exchange and also diversify into new products, even fashion and agribusiness,” he said.

He highlighted that Senegal has embarked on its Senegal 2050 National Transformation Agenda focusing on infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, and health, and urged Malaysian investors to participate.

“We have a whole country to build. Malaysia has its place on this new adventure,” Barro said.

He add that the government will showcase its development vision at the Invest in Senegal Forum from Oct 7 to 8, 2025 in Dakar, followed by the Dakar International Fair in December.

The ambassador also underscored growing opportunities in the digital economy, noting Senegal’s “Digital Deal” initiative that invites partners to invest in IT, cyber economy, and logistics.

“The digital deal is also a gate open to all partners to come and invest on the digital highways. We have a huge vision on digital economy,” he said, adding that Malaysia is one of Senegal's prospective partners in this initiative.

On people-to-people ties, Barro said Senegal values expanding academic exchanges. He said there are nearly 100 Senegalese students currently in Malaysia. Cooperation in tropical sciences and agriculture is already underway, alongside efforts to overcome language barriers.

He also pointed to opportunities in sports and culture, citing traditional Senegalese wrestling and Malaysia’s silat as areas of collaboration, in addition to music and the arts.

“We love Malaysia. We know the way Malaysia followed for its development.

"Now we want Malaysians to also discover Senegal, a land of peace, democracy, transparency, and hospitality. Please come for investment, tourism and everything. We welcome you with open arms,” Barro said.

-- BERNAMA