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Canada - Senegal Relations

Canada and Senegal established diplomatic relations in 1962. Canada has been represented in Senegal by the Canadian Embassy in Dakar since 1962. Senegal has maintained an embassy in Ottawa since 1975.

Senegal is a pole of democracy, development and stability in Africa. The March 2012 presidential elections are considered a victory for the people of Senegal and for democracy in the region. On March 25, 2012, Macky Sall won the second round of the presidential elections.

Canada's bilateral relations with Senegal are close and cover a wide range of activities. Several high-level visits in both countries, such as the visit to Senegal by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, in April 2010, have contributed to the development of our relations. In October 2011, the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association made an official visit to Senegal.

Senegal is an important partner for Canada within multilateral institutions, such as la Francophonie and the United Nations. Canada and Senegal maintain strong relations in the area of regional and international peace and security. The Pearson Peacekeeping Centre supports Senegal by providing training for Senegalese police officers who take part in multilateral peacekeeping operations, namely the African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

Canada has well-established, although modest, trade relations with Senegal. Some 50 Canadian companies are active on the Senegalese market and Canadian investments in the mining sector are significant. In 2011, trade between Canada and Senegal was $29.106 million, of which $28.171 million was exports and $934,873 was imports from Senegal. Canada and Senegal signed a double taxation agreement in 2001 and a customs duty exemption agreement in 2004.

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is present in Senegal through bilateral and multilateral assistance, and partnership and regional programs. Canada has been a long-time development partner for Senegal and has invested over $1.2 billion as part of Official Development Assistance since 1962. Under Canada's Aid Effectiveness Agenda, Senegal has been designated as one of the 20 countries of focus. Official Canadian aid disbursements in Senegal in 2010-2011 amounted to $100.23 million. This amount was allocated to the priority themes of children and youth and food security, and to cross-cutting sectors such as governance, the environment and gender equality. For more information about the Agenda, please visit CIDA's website.

September 2012

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Date Modified:
2012-09-26