In Dakar, his name comes back regularly to major diplomatic, economic and institutional meetings. Since taking office as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Senegal in August 2023, Hélène De Bock has established herself as one of the most active faces of Belgian and European cooperation in the West African subregion.
Experienced diplomat, polyglot and broken on international issues, she embodies community diplomacy, focused on economic partnerships, education, health, innovation and ecological transition. Based in Dakar, it also leads Belgian diplomatic relations with Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, in a strategic region for Brussels.
At the professional level, Hélène De Bock has been operating in an international environment for several years after obtaining a Master of Economics at the Free University of Brussels in 2003. Indeed, she began her career in September of the same year at PwC as an auditor and risk analyst. After a visit to the Belgian Post Office in February 2005 as a project manager and business analyst, she began her diplomatic career at the Belgian Embassy in India in September 2007. Prior to her arrival in Dakar, she held several positions, the most important of which was that of Deputy Director for Human Rights and Democracy for 4 years and 11 months at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
His career also highlights a strong diplomatic experience, an ability to work in multicultural contexts and a mastery of several languages, including French, English, Dutch and German and most recently Wolof.
In Senegal, the Belgian Ambassador is distinguished by a regular presence on the ground. It has increased visits to institutions, exchanges with Senegalese authorities, economic actors, universities and international organizations. Its approach focuses on concrete projects and impact cooperation.
In recent months, it has carried out several initiatives related to the development of Senegalese SMEs, pharmaceutical sovereignty, digital transformation, vocational training and sustainable investment. Under his leadership, Belgium has increased its visibility in key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, climate and digital health.
During the Forum Invest in Senegal 2025, Hélène De Bock highlighted the commitment of Belgian companies alongside Senegal's economic ambitions. It supported cooperation based on innovation, local value creation and sustainable investment.
In her various speeches, the Belgian diplomat regularly insists on the democratic stability of Senegal and on the historical quality of relations between Dakar and Brussels. In an interview given to the daily Le Soleil, she even called Senegal « democratic exception in the subregion »welcoming the convergence of priorities between Belgium and the Vision Senegal 2050.
But beyond institutional diplomacy, Hélène De Bock also advocates human and cultural cooperation. The Embassy supports several university programmes, youth initiatives, teacher training projects and partnerships between Senegalese and Belgian institutions.
Very active on professional networks, Ambassador regularly shares initiatives highlighting Senegalese successes, Belgian-Senegal partnerships and the actions of the « Team Belgium » in Senegal. A modern way of practicing diplomacy, giving greater visibility to local projects and actors.
In an international context marked by climate, economic and geopolitical challenges, Hélène De Bock appears today as a diplomat committed to a logic of pragmatic cooperation and constant dialogue with the authorities and forces of Senegal. A discreet but influential presence at the service of a historic partnership which Brussels intends to strengthen further in the coming years.
