Senegal stands out in West Africa as stable country

By Fatma Esma Arslan

DAKAR, Senegal (AA) – Senegal, which gained independence from France in 1960, stands out in West Africa owing to its stability and institutionalized democracy.

Its capital, Dakar, hosts regional offices of numerous international organizations, including the UN, International Monetary Fund, World Health Organization and UNICEF, thanks to its excellent geographical location and security.

Muslims comprise 96% of its 16-million population. A vast majority are devout followers of Sufi orders such as the Muridiyya, Qadiriyya and Tijaniyyah. This has prevented extremist elements to influence the country’s Muslim population.

Wolof, Fulani, and Serer are the biggest ethnic groups in the country.

The country's official language is French, although Wolof and Fulani as well as many other indigenous languages are spoken.

- Economy

Among Francophone African countries, Senegal occupies second place after Ivory Coast in terms of industrial development. The country recorded an annual 6% growth since 2014.

According to data by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is nearly $25 billion and national income per capita is around $1,500.

In line with the government’s Emerging Senegal Plan that was adopted in 2014, transportation, energy, construction, infrastructure projects and privatization presented the most contribution to economic growth.

Only around 17% of its land is arable. Despite this, 70% of the population is employed in the agriculture sector.

While Senegal is one of the world’s prominent phosphate producers, it has also another mineral resources including gold, titanium, marble, zirconium, and limestone.

- Access to electricity

Of the 30 African countries, Senegal is the only country where over half of the population has access to electricity.

According to the World Bank, over 70% of the population presently has access to electricity.

- Turkish- Senegalese relations

Only two years after the country’s independence, Turkiye opened its embassy in Dakar, one of the country’s earliest embassies in Africa.

Senegal opened its embassy in the Turkish capital Ankara in August 2006, which gave a new impetus to bilateral relations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is currently on his fifth visit to the country.

- Bilateral economic relations

According to Turkiye’s Foreign Economic Relations Board, Turkiye’s exports to Senegal was nearly $530 million and imports was around $11 million.

Furthermore, Turkish companies undertook 33 projects in the country, valued at $1.2 billion.

- Turkish state agencies in Senegal

Apart from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), many humanitarian relief organizations operate in the country.

Turkiye's Yunus Emre Institute has been organizing Turkish language courses for five years and the Turkiye Maarif Foundation operates four schools across the country.