• Congolese Prime Minister calls for deeper commercial cooperation with Senegal

• Bilateral trade remains low despite strong diplomatic and business links

• Congo urges broader African integration through full implementation of AfCFTA

The Republic of Congo is seeking to deepen its economic relationship with Senegal. On Sunday, June 15, during an official visit to Senegal, Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso called for stronger trade between the two countries and a more dynamic partnership across key sectors.

Speaking in an interview with the Senegalese Press Agency (APS), Makosso stressed the need to create the right conditions for expanding commercial exchanges. He highlighted the important role of chambers of commerce and consular institutions in building sustainable economic cooperation.

During the visit, both governments identified several strategic areas that could serve as engines for shared growth. These include sanitation, higher education, defense, finance, trade, and special economic zones.

Makosso expressed concern over the current level of trade between the two countries, which he described as “very low,” despite a notable Senegalese presence in Congo. According to data from the International Trade Centre (ITC), trade between Congo and Senegal reached only $15.5 million in 2022, a modest figure that could grow if concrete steps are taken to boost cooperation.

Expanding on the issue, the Congolese leader also addressed the broader African context. He noted that intra-African trade still accounts for only about 16% of the continent’s total trade volume. In his view, this points to a continued dependence on markets outside Africa, and he urged all African states to commit fully to implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and building a structured common market.

Congo and Senegal have long maintained strong diplomatic ties, driven by a shared vision of African integration and ongoing exchanges across several sectors. Their cooperation extends to military, cultural, and judicial matters.

A recent example of this collaboration is the growing role of Senegal’s national power company, SENELEC, in Congo’s electricity sector. The company, which is 90% owned by the Senegalese government, has secured a 10-year affermage contract to manage, operate, and maintain Congo’s power network. SENELEC is also tasked with improving distribution performance, recovering unpaid bills, and monitoring customer accounts.

The two countries have also announced that the next session of their bilateral joint commission will be held soon in Brazzaville. This upcoming meeting will follow the fourth session, which took place in Dakar in 2018, and marks another step toward deepening their economic partnership.