• 51 partnership agreements signed at the 2025 edition of the forum

• Investments span energy, transport, training, and creative industries

• Prime Minister Sonko urges local firms to form strategic alliances

The 2025 edition of the Senegal Investment Forum concluded yesterday October 8 at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Center (CICAD) in Diamniadio. Over two days of discussions, 51 partnership agreements were signed, securing $23.5 billion (over CFA13,000 billion) in investment commitments, according to Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (pictured). He said the outcome shows that “Senegal has succeeded in convincing, uniting, and engaging.”

The government sees these commitments as more than promises; they demonstrate renewed confidence in Senegal’s economy, the credibility of its path, and the strength of its institutions.

The $23.5 billion in pledges cover a wide range of sectors, including transport, energy, education, and creative industries. Among the deals signed were an agreement between Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) and Guelewar Energy Industrie; a tripartite agreement among the National Renewable Energy Agency (ANER), Exim Finance, and the National Electricity Company (Sénélec); and a partnership between the Agency for the Promotion and Development of Handicrafts (APDA) and M-Academy, a training center for leather, fashion, and creative industries. ABT Trading also signed an agreement with AIBD to build a shopping center within the airport zone, while the Agency for the Promotion of Investments and Major Works (APIX) partnered with Indorama Group, a fertilizer producer.

While the scale of the investments has generated enthusiasm, analysts note that the true challenge lies ahead. The forum’s success will depend not on the number of agreements signed but on their concrete impact on the economy—job creation, technology transfer, stronger value chains, and better public services.

Closing the forum’s second edition, Prime Minister Sonko called on Senegal’s private sector to seize the moment: “The time for waiting is over; the time for boldness has come. Form strategic alliances, attract capital and technology, export your know-how, and expand your value chains beyond our borders. The state will stand by your side to support and protect you and to give you the tools needed to become regional and continental champions.”

Sonko also addressed public administration: “Businesses are essential pillars of our economic and social development. Treat them with respect, efficiency, and responsiveness. By helping them grow, we accelerate the nation’s progress. Do not discourage them—support them, listen to them. This is the purpose of our administrative reform: to build a modern, agile state that serves development.”