3 critical levers to attract foreign investment and accelerate the economic and social recovery plan
At the heart of Senegal’s new financing trajectory is a wide-ranging strategy based on three key levers: investment, digital empowerment, and food security. These dynamics reflect an overarching vision: to bring together financing, technological innovation, and ecological transition to drive sustainable and sovereign development.
The Invest in Senegal 2025 Forum laid the groundwork for this. Held on October 7 and 8 at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Center (CICAD) in Diamniadio, the event brought together more than 11,700 participants from around 70 countries. Under the theme “Connecting Opportunities, Building the Future,” it marked a turning point in the country’s economic diplomacy. At its close, $23.5 billion in investment commitments were announced through 51 agreements covering the strategic sectors of agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and digital services.
In his opening speech, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said: “Senegal offers a growing market within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), supported by a legal environment that is undergoing modernization and reform. We are ready to welcome you and facilitate your establishment and success.” This statement not only emphasizes Senegal’s intention to attract foreign investors and capital, but also to build a favorable legal environment to ensure their sustainable impact.
Among the commitments announced, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank jointly confirmed $160 million in long-term investments to support national priorities, including extending agricultural insurance to 200,000 farmers, 30% of whom are women, digitizing agricultural subsidies, and creating sanitation infrastructure for 600,000 people. Islamic financing mechanisms for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women-led businesses were also highlighted, with the prospect of 7,000 jobs being created.
On the sidelines of the forum, Saudi Arabia’s announcement of a $2 billion commitment to Senegal confirmed international interest in its strategic sectors, particularly energy. However, beyond the amounts involved, official speeches emphasized the nature of the investments: Senegal no longer wants to be simply a destination, but a catalyst for structural transformation through clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and digital sovereignty.
While the forum helped to mobilize capital, the New Technological Deal, launched by President Faye, sets out the country’s digital roadmap. With a budget of 1.105 trillion CFA francs (approximately $1.7 billion), of which 950 billion has already been included in the national budget, the plan extends until 2034. It aims to place Senegal at the forefront of digital transformation in Africa.
The New Deal includes the construction of sovereign infrastructure (data centers, cybersecurity), the digitization of public services, biometric digital identification, and support for local innovation.
This digital ambition is also combined with existing infrastructure in the field of renewable energy. Senegal currently has six photovoltaic and thermal power plants, including those in Kaël and Kahone (60 MW), Santhiou Mekhe (30 MW), Diass (23 MW), Malicounda (22 MW), Cheikh Anta Diop or Ten Merina (30 MW), and Bokhol, the first to become operational in 2015. The country also has a wind farm, Taiba Ndiaye, with a total capacity of 157.8 MW. In addition, it should be noted that there are also future projects and developments planned between now and 2026, such as the project for 26 solar power plants financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in several regions of the country. These facts prove that clean energy is not a distant prospect but an active component of the national energy mix.
To complement this momentum, the African Food Systems Forum 2025 provided an opportunity to link agricultural, nutritional, and climate issues. Under the theme “African Youth: Spearheading Collaboration, Innovation, and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation,” the event brought together more than 6,000 participants from 113 countries. Discussions focused on financing sustainable value chains, integrating digital technologies, and the central role of young people and women in transforming food systems.
Through these three key events—the Invest in Senegal 2025 Forum, the New Tech Deal, and the Food Systems Forum—the Senegalese government is building a coherent strategy focused on innovation, partnerships, and climate resilience. The ambition goes beyond attracting capital: it is the productive, sovereign, and inclusive transformation of the country.
The success of this trajectory will now depend on the ability to translate promises into tangible results: sustainable infrastructure, real digital inclusion, and benefits for all communities. Between capital and connectivity, Senegal’s gamble now rests on a model where strategic partnerships become the levers of fair, green, and sovereign development.
