On the second day of his stay in El-Alamein, the President of the Republic of Senegal, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, took part in the African Union's semi-annual coordination meeting on continental integration. As Chairman-in-Office of ECOWAS, he presented the record and ambitions of West African integration, before talking with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi to expand the bilateral partnership between Dakar and Cairo.
West Africa at the continental table. The Senegalese Head of State highlighted a ECOWAS resilient, despite geopolitical tensions and the effects of climate change. He recalled the adoption of the Future Pact in Lungi in July 2026, setting the course for a more cohesive and integrated region.
The Heads of State confirmed the launch of the single currency ECO in 2027, a symbol of deeper economic integration. In the field, biometric ID cards and brown insurance cards already facilitate the free movement of citizens, while the interconnection of West African electricity networks is moving towards full synchronization.
On peace and security issues, Bassirou Diomaye Faye reaffirmed the commitment of the ECOWAS in preventive diplomacy, political dialogue and the establishment of the regional counter-terrorism brigade. He also stressed cooperation with the Alliance of Sahel States to preserve the links between peoples and consolidate the achievements of integration.
Africa financing its development
The Senegalese President called for African Continental Free Trade Area (AFTAAf) fully operational, based on local transformation of resources and market-oriented trade strategies. He proposed bringing the Secretariat closer to the ZLECAf and AUDA-NEPAD around a corridor approach, to provide the continent with infrastructure linking its markets.
Finally, he called for a better articulation of Agenda 2063's second ten-year plan with national development plans, guaranteeing their funding from the African Integration Fund.
A bilateral partnership extended to the economy
On the sidelines of the summit, Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation between Senegal and Egypt. This partnership, rooted in the historical friendship between Léopold Sédar Senghor and Gamal Abdel Nasser, now extends to new fields: agriculture, aquaculture, health, industry, housing and hospitality.
Egypt will be invited to the International Book Fair in Dakar from 15 to 19 October 2026.
Egyptian investors looking to Senegal
Bilateral meetings have attracted several Egyptian investors:
- Safe Call Bank, led by Dr. Hisham Issa, plans to open a $10 million funded stem cell therapeutic centre in Dakar to make Senegal a sub-regional health hub.
- Hatem Raslan, CEO of Siltal Africa, confirmed the upcoming inauguration of its refrigerator and air conditioner plant in Diamniadio, also valued at $10 million, and announced new projects to accompany the Agenda Senegal 2050.
- Khaled Mikati, President of the Senegal-Egypt Business Council, presented projects in health, e-finance and green housing, strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
Economic diplomacy assumed
In two days, the Senegalese President received six Egyptian leaders from the transport, energy, banking, health, industry and services sectors. These exchanges reflect a proactive economic diplomacy, where Senegal mobilizes partners to support its energy and health sovereignty, industrialization and access to housing.
After Washington, Abu Dhabi and New York, the El-Alamein sequence confirms the central place that Bassirou Diomaye Faye gives to the economy in Senegal's diplomatic action.
