The Republic of Congo is seeking to strengthen its economic and trade relations with Senegal.
This call was made by Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso on Sunday, June 15, during an official visit to Dakar, where he emphasized the importance of building a more dynamic partnership between the two nations.
In an interview with the Senegalese Press Agency (APS), Makosso highlighted the need to create favorable conditions for boosting commercial exchanges.
He pointed out the key role that chambers of commerce and consular bodies can play in establishing long-term economic cooperation.
Throughout the visit, officials from both countries pinpointed several key sectors as potential drivers of mutual growth.
These include sanitation, higher education, defense, finance, trade, and the development of special economic zones.
Makosso also raised concerns about the current trade volume between Congo and Senegal, which he described as “very low,” despite the presence of several Senegalese businesses operating in Congo.
According to figures from the International Trade Centre (ITC), bilateral trade between the two nations amounted to just $15.5 million in 2022, a number that could significantly increase with stronger cooperation
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Broadening the discussion, the Congolese Prime Minister touched on the challenges facing intra-African trade, which still represents only about 16% of the continent’s total trade.
He urged African countries to fully implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and commit to building a well-structured common market that reduces dependence on foreign markets.
Congo and Senegal have maintained solid diplomatic relations over the years, rooted in a shared vision for African integration and collaboration across various sectors. Their ties extend to military, cultural, and judicial cooperation.
One recent example of this growing partnership is the involvement of Senegal’s national electricity company, SENELEC, in Congo’s power sector.
SENELEC, 90% owned by the Senegalese government, signed a 10-year affermage contract to manage, operate, and maintain the Congolese electricity network.
The company is also responsible for improving power distribution, recovering outstanding payments, and overseeing customer accounts.
Looking ahead, both countries have announced plans to hold the next session of their bilateral joint commission in Brazzaville.
This meeting will follow the fourth session, which took place in Dakar in 2018, and represents another step toward deepening the economic ties between Congo and Senegal.
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