• Senegal plans a national tractor assembly plant to boost agricultural mechanization and food security.
• The project involves Turkish partners (Albayrak Group, Türk Eximbank) and Senegalese companies.
• It supports the "Allo Tracteurs" program, aiming to mechanize 35,000+ hectares by 2024/2025, addressing low current mechanization rates.

Senegal plans to establish a national tractor and farm equipment assembly plant as part of efforts to accelerate agricultural mechanization and strengthen food security. Agriculture Minister Mabouba Diagne announced on Twitter that a preliminary working meeting for the project was held on August 27.

Projet d’Usine de Montage de Tracteurs Multi-marques & d’Équipements Agricoles

Le Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Souveraineté Alimentaire et de l’Élevage (MASAE), en collaboration avec le Ministère du Commerce et de l’Industrie (MINCOM), a initié une dynamique de partenariat… pic.twitter.com/KvrsxexvNf

— Dr Mabouba Diagne (@Mabouba_Diagne_) August 27, 2025

Key stakeholders present included Turkish conglomerate Albayrak Group, Türk Eximbank (the Turkish Export Credit Bank), and a consortium of Senegalese companies: CCBM, EMG, SISMAR, Oumou Group, and Diass Industries.

The facility will increase the availability of farm machinery and anchor the government’s “Allo Tracteurs” initiative, launched in April to expand access to mechanized services. The program includes the planned creation of 13 farm equipment centers across the regions of Tambacounda, Kédougou, Kolda and Matam, aimed at preparing more than 35,000 hectares for the 2024/25 agricultural season.

Agriculture accounts for 15% of Senegal’s GDP and employs about 22% of the workforce, yet the sector remains heavily reliant on manual tools and animal traction. According to the Directorate of Agricultural Analysis, Forecasting and Statistics, only 11% of farming households used motorized equipment during the 2022/23 season, while 80% relied on animal-drawn tools.

Officials say the plant is a strategic step toward food sovereignty, by reducing dependence on imported machinery and improving farmers’ productivity.

This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum