China takes over France as Senegal’s leading commercial supplier

The year 2024 marks a turning point in Senegal’s trade. For the first time, China has overtaken France as the country’s main supplier.

According to a report from the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD), imports from China increased by 8.3%, reaching 848.242 billion CFA francs (approximately 1.3 billion euros). Meanwhile, imports from France fell by 17%, totaling 725.252 billion CFA francs (approximately 1.1 billion euros).

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A strategic economic realignment

This shift reflects Senegal’s desire to diversify its trading partners and reduce its dependence on France. China, thanks to its growing involvement in infrastructure and new technologies, is consolidating its position in West Africa. Its exports to Senegal primarily consist of manufactured goods, electronic equipment, industrial machinery, and construction materials.

Beyond China and France, other countries are among Senegal’s main suppliers. Russia (578.966 billion FCFA), the United Arab Emirates (408.962 billion FCFA), and Belgium (397.632 billion FCFA) complete the top five. Furthermore, India (329.816 billion FCFA), Nigeria (314.782 billion FCFA), and Turkey (238.935 billion FCFA) are gaining ground, illustrating an increasingly diversified trade landscape.

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An impact on the trade deficit

This repositioning of trading partners is accompanied by an improvement in Senegal’s trade deficit. In 2024, it will stand at 3,252.3 billion CFA francs, a reduction of 731.06 billion CFA francs compared to 2023. Overall, the country’s imports fell slightly by 0.6%, reaching 7,161.4 billion CFA francs.

This development reflects a shift in economic dynamics in West Africa, where the influence of European powers is declining in favor of new global players. China’s rise in Senegalese trade thus symbolizes a strategic turning point in the country’s economic cooperation.

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