The second day of the mission to West Africa by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani and Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi is taking place today in Senegal. After their first stop in Mauritania, the Ministers are now in Dakar. The mission aims to strengthen bilateral relations with Senegal, enhance economic and trade partnerships, and take part in the Conference of Italian Ambassadors and Security Experts in Africa. The event brings together Heads of Mission and experts from 30 Italian diplomatic offices across the continent, including five recently established ones (Niger, 2017; Guinea, 2017; Burkina Faso, 2019; Mali, 2020; Mauritania, 2024).
While in Dakar, the Ministers will meet with the President of the Republic of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, the Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, Cheikh Niang, and the Minister of the Interior, Mouhamadou Bamba Cissé.
Senegal is a priority partner for Italian development cooperation and, as of January 2025, will also be part of the Mattei Plan.
From an economic standpoint, Senegal is a strategic commercial partner, ranking as the fourth-largest destination for Italian exports in the region. Between January and July 2025, trade flows increased by 109.5% compared with the same period in 2024, driven by both exports (+13.5%) and imports (+221%).
Against this backdrop, Ministers Tajani and Piantedosi will inaugurate the Italy–Senegal Business Forum, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), in collaboration with CDP, SIMEST, SACE, and Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo. The Forum will focus on promoting cooperation in agro-industry, physical and digital infrastructure, and renewable energy.
During the mission, the Ministers will also inaugurate the new premises of the Italian Cultural Institute in Dakar, as well as the new offices of ITA and SIMEST.
